ort America, the world's first facility built specifically for space-bound commercial customers and fee-paying passengers.The $198 million project, which is being funded by the New Mexico state government, is located on a remote high-desert range near the town of Truth or Consequences.
British tycoon Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, will use the facility to propel tourists into suborbital space at a cost of $200,000 a ride.
"After all of the hard work to get this project off the ground, it is gratifying to see Spaceport America finally become a reality," Richardson said.
"This groundbreaking ceremony is an important step toward our goal of being at the forefront of a vibrant new, commercial space industry."
Construction will begin with a runway at the site, followed by a terminal and hangar facility later in the year, Spaceport America said.
Virgin Galactic is investing more than $300 million in developing a new space launch system that will operate from the site after it opens.
The spaceship hitches a ride up to around 50,000 feet attached to a specially designed carrier aircraft. When released from the aircraft, it is designed to hurtle into suborbital space powered by a rocket.
For further details visit as : www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE55I5NK20090619
British tycoon Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, will use the facility to propel tourists into suborbital space at a cost of $200,000 a ride.
"After all of the hard work to get this project off the ground, it is gratifying to see Spaceport America finally become a reality," Richardson said.
"This groundbreaking ceremony is an important step toward our goal of being at the forefront of a vibrant new, commercial space industry."
Construction will begin with a runway at the site, followed by a terminal and hangar facility later in the year, Spaceport America said.
Virgin Galactic is investing more than $300 million in developing a new space launch system that will operate from the site after it opens.
The spaceship hitches a ride up to around 50,000 feet attached to a specially designed carrier aircraft. When released from the aircraft, it is designed to hurtle into suborbital space powered by a rocket.
For further details visit as : www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE55I5NK20090619
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