Spaceport America hosted the 18th spaceport launch on January 5 with the Armadillo Aerospace STIG B reusable suborbital research rocket. This was the third FAA licensed vehicle launch at the spaceport. At the request of the customer the event was unannounced. The flight mission was focused on continued testing of the vehicle. The vehicle failed to achieve the planned altitude but much was learned.
We are continuing development of the operational plans that will be used to manage space missions. As the complexity of missions and the level of activity ramp-up, these plans will be necessary to ensure timely mission planning, safe, efficient operations, and effective post-mission analysis. The development process is informed by a variety of information sources, the foremost of which are the experience and needs of existing customers and regulatory requirements. Elements of the plans are already in use.
The 2000 foot runway extension project is well under way. Barring inclement weather delays, the runway should be complete by mid-June. The Spaceport Operations Center Fit-Out design will be completed shortly. We plan to release a Fit-Out RFP sometime in February. The Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space punch list items are about 85% complete. The Developers RFP for the development of the Visitor Center in Truth or Consequences and the Spaceport Central complex on the spaceport site should be released in February.
