White Sands role changes to tourism, new spaceport

LAS CRUCES -- One spacecraft runway's sunset may be another's sunrise.

White Sands Space Harbor, a backup U.S. space shuttle landing site since the '80s, will start decommissioning this year, with the end of the space shuttle program. But just a few dozen miles away, nearly due west across a mountain range, is a spacecraft runway that was formally dedicated for the first time last October.

The 10,000-foot, concrete airway is one of the main features of the under-construction Spaceport America, about 45 miles north of Las Cruces.

Just as the harbor was instrumental in sending dozens of government-sponsored astronauts to space, Spaceport America proponents contend that facility eventually will open up the door to space travel to the average person. And they hail the project as part of the next era of spaceflight.

The taxpayer-financed, $209 million spaceport is planned as a launch and landing site for suborbital space tourists, who'll be carried aloft by the Britain-based Virgin Galactic. The company's contractor is developing the two-vehicle system in Mojave, Calif.

NASA officials last week highlighted the commercial space industry as a means for human spaceflight to continue in the absence of the shuttle program, which will end later this month with the return of Atlantis to Earth.

"Spaceport America definitely represents the future of space travel," said New Mexico Spaceport Authority board member Scott Krahling. "Private companies are slowly preparing themselves to take over spaceflight, and that's a good thing."

Virgin Galactic is one of a number of companies venturing into the suborbital spaceflight business through vehicle development. Others, however, have their sights set on orbital launches, something not possible yet at Spaceport America because of regulatory and physical challenges, experts have said.

Virgin Galactic has said it's increasing staffing in preparation for the move to New Mexico and eventual operations. Flights may not start until 2013, spaceport and Virgin Galactic officials have said.

In addition to Virgin Galactic, the Texas-based Armadillo Aerospace was awarded NASA funds for low-orbit vertical launches, said David Wilson, spokesman for Spaceport America. One launch took place earlier this year, and two or three more are slated. It's a sign of the shift toward commercialized spaceflight, he said.

"Everybody is interested in how this is going to be privatized," he said. "Spaceport America is going to be very active there."

Rono Danakili, 57, a Doca Ana Community College student who hopes to eventually become a technician at the spaceport, said a paradigm shift is occurring, and one sign is the growing attendance at an international spaceflight symposium that takes place annually in Las Cruces.

"Whatever is happening, it's snowballing," said Danakili, who plans to graduate next spring with a degree in aerospace technology.

"I'm all for that because the private sector, more so than the government, is more one of simplicity and efficiency."

Though the runway is finished, construction of the spaceport's $32.5 million terminal-hangar is behind schedule. It was supposed to be completed by December 2010. Contractors have complained of late payments and cost overruns.

The state has caught up to speed on paying the primary contractors, Wilson said Friday. He said subcontractors' payments are the purview of primary contractors.

Krahling, also a Doca Ana County commissioner, said there are kinks in any new project. But the payment situation has been resolved, he said.

"I think everybody's caught up on payment," he said. "Hopefully things are running a bit smoother now."

Kent Evans, a spaceport supporter and former member of the county commission, said he's concerned the overall spaceport project might lose momentum because of recent problems. It's edge in the industry stems from "getting established, being first and having things actually happening," he said.

Diana M. Alba may be reached at 575-541-5443.