Posts Tagged ‘SpaceLoft XL’

Spaceport America announced that the first annual Education Launch was successful in spite of not reaching the maximum altitude.  The student-designed scientific experiments were carried aloft on a UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket.  Students from New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College and area high schools designed and built the experiments. The New Mexico Space Grant Consortium pitched in $85,000 to pay for the students’ payload space, while the New Mexico Spaceport Authority paid for the launch services component.

An on-line video of the launch is available on the Spaceport America website and related news stories are available in the Las Cruces Sun-News Spaceport News on-line edition.

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is planning to webcast Saturday’s SL-3 Education launch live on Saturday, May 2. The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket is scheduled for launch at 8 a.m. MDT, and can be seen live on the Internet at the Spaceport America website (www.SpaceportAmerica.com).

Working together with Spaceport America and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, this first annual Education Launch will provide New Mexico students the opportunity to launch scientific experiments they designed and built into space. Although the education launch is open to the public, space is limited, so NMSA officials wanted to find a way to make the launch accessible worldwide. “It’s important that anyone who shares in the dream of commercial spaceflight can witness this historic launch,” said New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Steve Landeene.

Pat Hynes, Director of the Space Grant Consortium, commented, “The webcast will build awareness as to the type of applied learning and workforce development that is available here in New Mexico.”

Along with being the nation’s first purpose-built commercial space port, Spaceport America is dedicated to helping promote the study of aerospace-related science and technology among New Mexico students. The NMSA plans to break ground for Spaceport America in June 2009. Spaceport America has been working with leading aerospace firms such as Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, UP Aerospace, Microgravity Enterprises and Payload Specialties.

Spaceport America and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium will conduct the first annual education launch from Spaceport America at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

This historic SL-3 mission will utilize a SpaceLoft XL launch vehicle provided by participating sponsor UP Aerospace and will include 11 multi-sensor experiments designed and created by students from New Mexico schools.

The launch is open to the public by RSVP via coach transportation at $10 per person. No private vehicles are allowed to the launch site. Details are available on the Spaceport America website.