New Mexico's Spaceport Will Be Environmentally Friendly

(Image: An artist's drawing of Spaceport America's terminal building, with White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo vehicles. Credit: Virgin Galactic / Foster + Partners)

While finding new ways to reach the heavens (and beyond) is important for the human race, taking care of our homeworld is a much higher priority. When it comes to space, the same principles apply, as it would be foolish for humanity to reach the stars by trashing our birth planet.

While spaceports seem to be sprouting all across the globe, it looks as if one is taking our planet to heart, by designing their spaceport to be environmentally friendly.

(MSNBC) The design chosen is a low-lying, striking bit of construction that uses natural earth as a berm, and relies on passive energy for heating and cooling, with photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling capabilities. A rolling concrete shell acts as a roof with massive windows opening to a view of the runway and spacecraft. [...]

The founder of Foster + Partners, Lord Norman Foster, said in an earlier press comment that the world's first space terminal would be a technically complex building. The facility not only will provide a dramatic experience for the astronauts and visitors, "but will set an ecologically sound model for future spaceport facilities," he added.

Spaceport America, located 30 miles east of Truth and Consequences in New Mexico will hopefully set the standard for future spaceports not only in the US, but around the world as well.

Note: Wouldn't it be great if spaceport designs led to more environmentally friendly buildings across our planet?

Video: Out Of This World Advertising

(Via New West)

New Mexico, home to Spaceport America is using some extraterrestrial fun to get its point across about it being home to "space culture."

There is a second video over here.

Related: New Mexico appoints Spaceport Authority (via Jack Kennedy of spaceports)

Update: Be sure to visit their official tourism site. Is it me, or is New Mexico taking this whole space thing a little too seriously? ;-)

New Mexico Voters Narrowly Approve Of Spaceport

After a fierce debate, with politicians vocally supporting or opposing the tax enabling the construction of Spaceport America by Virgin Galactic, it seems that New Mexico may secure its place solar history after all.

With 8,781 voters (or 50.6%) in favor of the tax enabling the spaceport to exist (with 8577 opposed), New Mexico will probably become a destination for not only space tourists in general, but perhaps the emerging space industry as well.

Final results can be viewed over here.

New Mexico's actions will probably establish a precedent for future spaceports in America, and is perhaps a sign that a new space culture is emerging in our society.

New Mexico Spaceport Executive Has Died

(Hat Tip: Space Fellowship)

One of the men who helped pioneer commercial spaceports in New Mexico (which probably influenced other states and countries to construct similar ones) has passed away recently.

(Spaceport America) Governor Bill Richardson released the following statement today on the death of Lonnie Sumpter, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority:

"Lonnie was a true public servant and dedicated the last 15 years of his life to building a new space industry in New Mexico," said Governor Bill Richardson. "As executive director of the NM Spaceport Authority he was a pioneer in his profession and a valued member of my Administration."

Sumpter will definitely be greatly missed by space enthusiasts within his state, as his vision helped spark the private space industry and convinced not only individuals, but government officials of its worth.

My prayers and thoughts are with Sumpter's family, friends and coworkers.

So, How Do You Build A Spaceport?

That is the question that New Mexico is pondering of late. Despite the launching of several space tourism companies, with the exception of Space Adventures, none have sent private citizens to the stars, let alone built a fully functioning space port.

But that is not stopping New Mexico from constructing America's first private spaceport--and it looks like they selected a good location for it too.

(MSNBC) The proposed spaceport site is approximately 27 square miles of open, generally level, range land that can be found 45 miles north of Las Cruces and 30 miles east of Truth or Consequences. This site was picked for its low population density, uncongested airspace, and high elevation.

That's ideal rocket country for UP Aerospace of Unionville, Connecticut. They are readying their SpaceLoft XL rocket for a New Mexico spaceport sendoff in late March.

Who would have imagined that America's future would be located in a barren desert? New Mexico hopes that the site will not only be used by private industries, but also governmental agencies as well.

(MSNBC) New Mexico spaceport advocates also envision the project as one of "national significance"--capable of supporting NASA and other U.S. government agencies too. International space agencies can contract with the private sector to loft passengers and payloads from the spaceport to the International Space Station and to the Moon.

Perhaps this author will take a trip out west to visit the new facilities. With all of the bad news going around the world, this is something to surely brighten anybodies day.