The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is planning to webcast Saturday’s SL-3 Education launch live on Saturday, May 2. The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket is scheduled for launch at 8 a.m. MDT, and can be seen live on the Internet at the Spaceport America website (www.SpaceportAmerica.com).
Working together with Spaceport America and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, this first annual Education Launch will provide New Mexico students the opportunity to launch scientific experiments they designed and built into space. Although the education launch is open to the public, space is limited, so NMSA officials wanted to find a way to make the launch accessible worldwide. “It’s important that anyone who shares in the dream of commercial spaceflight can witness this historic launch,” said New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Steve Landeene.
Pat Hynes, Director of the Space Grant Consortium, commented, “The webcast will build awareness as to the type of applied learning and workforce development that is available here in New Mexico.”
Along with being the nation’s first purpose-built commercial space port, Spaceport America is dedicated to helping promote the study of aerospace-related science and technology among New Mexico students. The NMSA plans to break ground for Spaceport America in June 2009. Spaceport America has been working with leading aerospace firms such as Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, UP Aerospace, Microgravity Enterprises and Payload Specialties.
