The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is excited to host a NASA Flight Opportunities Program launch conducted by UP Aerospace, Inc., at the Spaceport America Vertical Launch Complex on Friday, June 21. This will be the first sub-orbital NASA Flight Opportunities Program launch, and the 19th overall launch from Spaceport America. The sub-orbital sounding rocket launch [...]
Read MoreFROM THE DIRECTOR We are preparing for our 19th launch at the spaceport. On June 21, UP Aerospace will launch a variety of payloads sponsored by the NASA Flight Opportunities Program at Spaceport America including payloads from the Department of Defense, FAA, NASA, and the private sector, as well as a few payloads from students [...]
Read MoreGovernor Susana Martinez today announced that Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, has signed a three-year agreement to lease land and facilities at Spaceport America to conduct the next phase of flight testing for its reusable rocket program. The company will be a new tenant at Spaceport America, the state-owned commercial launch site located in [...]
Read MoreFROM THE DIRECTOR We awarded a contract to R-CON Construction Inc. of Las Cruces for the Spaceport Operations Center (SOC) fit-out. The SOC is the facility that will house the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) staff as well as all of the support contractors. Once completed, we can occupy the building. We have completed much [...]
Read MoreFROM THE DIRECTOR At a ceremony on-site at Spaceport America this afternoon, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed into law the Informed Consent legislation. The new law provides expanded liability coverage to spacecraft manufacturers and suppliers, and preserves New Mexico’s leadership and competitive standing within the commercial space industry. We at NMSA are grateful to [...]
Read MoreSPACEPORT AMERICA – Following unanimous passage by the state’s legislature, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed legislation today expanding existing liability protections for spaceflight operators to spaceflight manufacturers and suppliers. The New Mexico Expanded Space Flight Informed Consent Act prevents lawsuit abuse and addresses the inherent risks of space flight and is written to ensure [...]
Read MoreNow that the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) has been in operation for over 9 months, the accumulated data set is of sufficient duration to enable the types of analyses that will help with future mission planning. Technical staff members have been working on efficient means to organize and archive the data, and to perform [...]
Read MoreSpaceport 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 [...]
Read MoreOne of the most discussed issues to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session is the enhanced informed consent legislation being supported by a large number of organizations and citizens throughout New Mexico. The legislation is part of the New Century Economy Jobs Agenda promoted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department and unanimously supported [...]
Read MoreCourtesy of Spaceport America The Spaceport Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) was commissioned by the FAA on December 18. Although the system has been functioning for several months, the FAA has now certified it for use in supporting aerospace operations. Current weather conditions for the spaceport can be obtained by calling 575-267-8806. The spaceport technical [...]
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