Colorado gov. announces spaceport plans

LAS CRUCES - You're well-aware by now of Spaceport America, the taxpayer-financed launch site for space tourists that's under construction just north of Dona Ana County.

But how about Spaceport Colorado?

That state's governor, John Hickenlooper, announced plans this week to pursue a spaceport designation for the Front Range Airport - about 22 miles east of Denver.

Does another spaceport in the region detract from Spaceport America's potential? New Mexico spaceport officials said they don't think so.

New Mexico Spaceport Authority Director Christine Anderson said she'd heard Colorado was considering the idea. But she's not worried about it.

Anderson rehashed Spaceport America's strengths: an 18,000-acre site just next to the restricted airspace of White Sands Missile Range and a 20-year contract with a major tenant.

"I think we're a unique facility," she said. "It doesn't bother me there'd be more."

The restricted airspace means there won't be interference from commercial airliners, officials have said.

However, Colorado officials highlighted the proximity of the Denver International Airport - and the ease of shipping goods and travelers - as a plus in seeking the spaceport designation, according to a Denver Post article.

Rick Holdridge, who chairs the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, said he's not familiar with the specifics of the Colorado proposal, but population does come into play in safety studies.

"If it's close to Denver, they may consider it a positive; I'd consider it a negative," he said.

The Denver-area airport features two 8,000-foot runways, which will be extended to 10,000 feet, according to the Denver Post. Economic development officials there said recent emerging technologies, which allow for horizontal launches, open the door for space launches to take place in such a populated area, according to the article.

Spaceport America officials have long touted the sparse New Mexico population as another advantage in carrying out launches. Fewer people on the ground means less risk if something goes wrong.

Spaceport America features a single 10,000-foot runway. It has one small launch pad for rockets, and officials in recent weeks OK'd plans to build a larger one.

In addition, Anderson said an eventual goal for suborbital spaceflight is point-to-point travel. The concept, which would rely on multiple spaceports, could dramatically cut the amount of time needed to reach points around the globe.

"Competition is good for the industry," she said.

The Colorado proposal must still gain licensing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Holdridge noted that Spaceport America's contract is with Virgin Galactic, the leading company in passenger-carrying, suborbital spaceflight. And the spaceport has already cleared a number of significant hurdles in recent years, including securing a vertical launch license from the FAA.

"I wish them the best, but right now there's a limited number of companies that want to do this," he said. "If they're just starting, they've got a tough row to hoe."

In all, 13 rocket launches have taken place at Spaceport America, Anderson said.

Meanwhile, the first passenger-carrying Virgin Galactic flights are expected to occur in 2013.

Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575) 541-5443

At a glance

Eight non-federally operated, commercial spaceports exist in the United States:

California Spaceport at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Spaceport Florida at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Cecil Field Spaceport in Florida

Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia

Mojave Air and Space Port in California

Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska

Oklahoma Spaceport, Burns Flat, Oklahoma

Spaceport America in New Mexico

Source: Federal Aviation Administration