Courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News, by Steve Ramirez
LAS CRUCES — First impressions mean a lot, and those were favorable at today’s International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight for Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham and Lori Garver.
Bingham, who became commander of White Sands Missile Range about a month ago, made her first public appearance in Las Cruces at Wednesday’s symposium, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Although new to Las Cruces — Bingham had never been in New Mexico until becoming WSMR’s commander — she spoke of White Sands as she was a native.
Bingham’s half-hour keynote address at the conference mentioned Werner Von Braun; the March 31, 1982 landing of space shuttle Columbia at White Sands Space Harbor; the Delta Clipper and Clipper Graham reusable rocket program; and NASA’s Orion program, all which have had strong ties to White Sands. “White Sands is a national treasure,” Bingham said. “It’s a phenomenal asset that includes two states and five counties.”
Oh, and she didn’t forget that only two places in the U.S. have unrestricted airspace from the ground to infinity in space, the White House and White Sands Missile Range. White Sands is the birthplace of America’s rocket program. It began there, with Von Braun and other scientists and rocketeers, in 1945.
Bingham added that isn’t about to change anytime soon. She said an updated Memorandum of Understanding between WSMR and Spaceport America will be completed and signed next year. She also hinted that commercial space crews could begin training at White Sands by 2015.
Bingham made quite a first impression on Las Crucens attending the symposium. “She’s so exciting, so energetic,” said Tyler Gordon, a Las Cruces engineer. “She impressed me with her knowledge, and I was taken by her excitement for the commercial space flight industry.”
Garver, deputy administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also wowed Las Crucens and visitors attending the conference. She talked about the importance of developing and sustaining partnerships involving the public and private sectors.
“Government’s key here is to help with the direction of this industry,” said Garver, referring to the commercial space flight industry. “We in government can be proud, and will be proud, of your progression,” Garver said. She also emphasized that NASA will be an integral part of the growing commercial space flight industry. “We walk around greatness — the entrepreneurs and innovators,” Garver said.
Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Also follow him on Twitter: @SteveRamirez6.
Copyright 2012 Las Cruces Sun-News. All rights reserved.
