Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News
UPHAM, N.M. – UP Aerospace Inc., a commercial space launch services company based in Denver, Colo., has announced plans to launch up to nine new missions from Spaceport America in 2012 and 2013. The $209 million, taxpayer-funded spaceport is nearing completion in Upham, N.M., in southeastern Sierra County, just north of Dona Ana County.
With new launch contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD), UP Aerospace will double the number of missions it has flown from Spaceport America since 2006, according to company officials.
NASA’s Office of Chief Technologist Launch Opportunities Program awarded the company a contract to integrate technology payloads and launch them into space on up to eight flights using UP Aerospace’s SpaceLoft rocket. The contract reserves two launches with options on purchasing up to six additional flights in 2012 and 2013, according to a news release.
The first launch for NASA is still in the planning phase, but is expected in the first quarter of 2012. The second contract was issued by the DoD’s Operationally Responsive Space Office, and will be a sub-orbital flight also planned for the first quarter of 2012.
“We have a great relationship with Spaceport America,” said UP Aerospace President Jerry Larson. “We are excited to see business ramping up for our SpaceLoft launch vehicles, and look forward to meeting the needs of our customers.”
UP Aerospace has provided launch services for the DoD previously, although this will be the company’s first fully dedicated launch for the DoD. UP Aerospace has teamed with Schafer Corporation of Albuquerque to provide comprehensive launch and payload integration services for the NASA launches.
“Spaceport America has an established history with UP Aerospace, and we congratulate this forward-thinking company on its new launch contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense,” said New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Executive Director Christine Anderson.
Spaceport America has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. Phase one of the construction for the spaceport is expected to be complete in late 2011. Phase two of the construction and pre-operations activities will follow, including the development of a visitor center for students, tourists and space launch customers.
In addition to UP Aerospace and Virgin Galactic, spaceport officials have been working with other space leaders like Armadillo Aerospace, as well as firms like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and MOOG-FTS to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility.
Virgin Galactic, the anchor-tenant company for the spaceport, earlier announced it was awarded a contract by NASA to carry researchers and their payloads to suborbital space.
•For more information on UP Aerospace, visit www.upaerospace.us.com
•For more information, visit www.spaceportamerica.com
•For information on public tours of Spaceport America, visit www.ftstours.com
