Courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin, by Todd G. Dickson
As Spaceport America readies to complete work on lengthening its runway and creating visitor centers, its anchor tenant Virgin Galactic is helping to secure passage of critical legislation. At a press conference Thursday, Nov. 15, in Albuquerque, the newly formed Save Our Spaceport Coalition held a press conference to give publicity behind passage of expanded liability protections.
New Mexico already has passed liability protection for space flight operators, such as Virgin Galactic, but stopped short of giving the same protections to companies that supply or manufacture parts of the spacecraft. So far, Virgin Galactic is the only company intending to fly passengers to suborbital space, and the spaceport’s $31 million terminal hangar facility was designed to be iconic with its spaceliner currently being tested in California.
California is in the process of passing full limited liability legislation for the private space enterprises. Florida, Virginia, Texas and Colorado already have passed legislation that includes suppliers and manufacturers.
The total construction budget for Spaceport America is $209 million and supporters say the expanded liability protections are essential for the New Mexico spaceport to be competitive. The Save Our Spaceport Coalition includes the space industry, the aviation industry, state tourism, economic development groups, education organizations and legislative sponsors.
Trial lawyers have succeeded in blocking passage of the expanded legislation in the past two sessions. Supporters say the expanded legislation must be passed this upcoming session or risk forcing Virgin Galactic to fly elsewhere if its suppliers refuse to let them operate in New Mexico without the protections.
Contracts awarded
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Board of Directors recently approved the award of two new contracts as part of the Phase 2 construction at Spaceport America.
SDV Construction of Albuquerque was selected from six proposals received to oversee and manage the Phase 2 construction activities. Construction management services include overseeing the building of the Visitor Experience facilities, runway extension, internal road realignment, the construction of the entrance facility and associated utilities extension. The value of the contract is $647,389 and is to be carried out over 18 months.
AMEC Environment and Infrastructure Inc. of Albuquerque was awarded the Quality Assurance Testing Services contract at $488,969 over a 12-month contract period.
In September, the NMSA board approved the award of the runway modification contract to AS Horner, an Albuquerque-based company.
The NMSA board also approved a contract award to Ashbaugh Construction for the proposed site for the Sierra County Welcome Center.
Spaceport America Executive Director Christine Anderson said construction of the spaceport has so far created more than 1,000 jobs, but the more permanent jobs will come from operations when Virgin Galactic begins taking passengers into space, perhaps in 2013 if all goes well during tests on its launch system.
Vertical launches continue
Spaceport America also has traditional vertical launch facilities, which have been seeing an increase of activity from the addition of Armadillo Aerospace’s sounding rocket system being tested. On Sunday, Nov. 3, Armadillo launched its STIG-B rocket from Spaceport America.
This launch was the second licensed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch to take place from Spaceport America’s vertical launch complex, and the third research and development test flight this year at Spaceport America conducted by Armadillo Aerospace.
The launch was partially successful in that the STIG-B rocket returned intact to the planned recovery area at the spaceport after not achieving the planned altitude of more than 62 miles. This was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of Armadillo Aerospace, as the company is testing proprietary advanced launch technologies.
Based in Texas, Armadillo Aerospace is a leading developer of reusable rocket powered vehicles and plans to provide a platform for civilian access to suborbital space. The Nov. 3 flight was the spaceport’s second FAA-licensed launch, the seventh Armadillo Aerospace vehicle, and the 17th vertical launch from Spaceport America since 2006. Armadillo Aerospace plans to release additional information on the launch as information becomes available. Its website, www.armadilloaerospace.com, will post updates.
