Archive for July, 2009

Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, has installed three launch pads for NASA’s 2009 Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Centennial Challenge. The Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Centennial Challenge is administered by the X PRIZE Foundation to spur innovation and technology development. Spaceport America’s lunar lander launch pads are designed for the 2009 Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge, marking the fourth year of the competition which awards prize money to private companies that can meet the requirements set forth by NASA and the X PRIZE Foundation. In its first three years, the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Centennial Challenge has helped to demonstrate that NASA’s prize program is one of the most innovative and efficient programs in the development of the next generation of lunar landing vehicles.

Called ‘Tranquility Base’ to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, the trio of lunar lander launch pads was constructed the week of June 22 in preparation for this year’s competition, which begins as early as July 20 and continues through October 31, 2009.  The circular reinforced concrete pads are similar in size but different in design. Two are smooth and flat, and the other has built-in ‘lunar craters’ and rocks to more closely resemble the terrain of the moon. Spaceport America will name the lunar pad in honor of the first team that successfully completes the level-two challenge at Spaceport America. The launch pads will also be available for other commercial space companies and educational opportunities.

Spaceport America is now under construction in the State of New Mexico. After marking the official groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, June 19, construction of the airfield is underway. Road improvements and bridge construction are nearly complete, and the latest Requests for Proposal (RFP) and Invitations to Bid (ITB) can be found online at www.spaceportamerica.com. Spaceport America will have a 10,000-foot runway complete by late summer 2010 with the Terminal Hangar Facility projected to be complete by early 2011.

In its monthly board meeting of July 15th, 2009, the MVEDA Board of Directors elected new officers and board members for the upcoming year. New Board Chairman George Ruth of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces was elected at the June 17th board meeting. He replaces Immediate Past Chairman Bryn Davis of Sapphire Energy.

New officers for the upcoming year are:

• Vice-Chair – Gary Lenzo, First Community Bank
• Secretary – Dolores Connor, City of Las Cruces
• Treasurer – Kiel Hoffman, Pioneer Bank
• Executive Committee Member At-Large – J.B. Pruett, Northrise Ventures, LLC

Re-elected board members are:

• Clay Doyle, El Paso Electric
• Gary Lenzo, First Community Bank
• Gabe Ruiz, New Mexico Gas Company

New board members include:

• Jim Easley, Wells Fargo Bank New Mexico
• Stan Rounds, Ex-Officio, Las Cruces Public Schools

MVEDA is governed by a board of directors representing both the private and public sectors. Institutional members represent the City of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College, the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces, and White Sands Missile Range. Private sector board members represent a wide diversity of business and industry. They serve 3-year terms and are elected by the board.

Doña Ana County will hold its first Spaceport Community Council Meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the commission chambers at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 Motel. Blvd. The event is sponsored by Cimmaron Software Services and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Space Committee.

The two-hour event will include a 45-minute presentation from Steve Landeene, director of Spaceport America, and Wayne Savage, chair of the GLCCC’s Commercial Space Committee. Both speakers will give an up-to-date look at the development and construction of Spaceport America and ways the Doña Ana County community is becoming involved with the regional project. Other distinguished guests serving on the evening’s panel include State Representative Andy Nunez, State Senator Mary Kay Papen, Las Cruces City Councilor Dolores Connor, Dona Ana County Commissioner Scott Krahling, MVEDA President Davin Lopez, and Jim Hayhoe. The event will be moderated by Garrey Carruthers, former governor and dean of the New Mexico State University College of Business.

The remainder of the evening will be question-and-answer time for those in attendance to learn more about the project. Questions will be gathered from attendees as they enter and will be presented to the panel by Carruthers.

The event will be taped and will air at a later time on CLC-TV cable channel 20 for those that are unable to attend.

During the meeting, David Montoya Construction and F&F New Mexico, the first two contractors for Spaceport America, will be introduced. They will be available to answer questions from attendees about opportunities with the spaceport.

The Spaceport Community Council Meetings will be a regular quarterly event allowing the community to stay current with the status of Spaceport America and have a forum to ask questions for experts. According to Savage, the future meetings will have particular themes, including building the spaceport community, education, tourism and economic development.

For more information, contact the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce at 524-1968.