New Mexico agrees to host space port.

[MODU]

Continuing news regarding the leap of faith by Branson and Rutan to bring space travel to the public.

"Virgin Spaceport to Be Built in N.M."

LONDON - Virgin Galactic, the British company created by entrepreneur Richard Branson to send tourists into space, and New Mexico announced an agreement Tuesday for the state to build a $225 million spaceport. Virgin Galactic also revealed that up to 38,000 people from 126 countries have paid a deposit for a seat on one of its manned commercial flights, including a core group of 100 "founders" who have paid the initial $200,000 cost of a flight upfront. Virgin Galactic is planning to begin flights in late 2008 or early 2009.

New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said construction of the spaceport, to be built largely underground in the south of the state near the White Sands Missile Range, could begin in early 2007, depending on approval from environmental and aviation authorities.

Virgin will have a 20-year lease on the facility, with annual payments of $1 million for the first five years and rising to cover the cost of the project by the end of the lease.

(cont)

For those that have not been following the news, Branson will have Rutan build 5 larger versions of his SpaceShipOne crafts with 2 larger White Knights to lift them off the ground.  This is going to be so cool if/when they get the operation up and running. 

[Platypus]

yeah, but they only *just* go into space, right?

[MODU]

yeah, but they only *just* go into space, right?

Yes.  These flights will reach "space" as defined in the X-Prize competition.

[Platypus]

still cool. I know it's cliche, but I've ALWAYS wanted to be an astronaut, if only to see the earth from above. This is as close as I'll get

[MODU]

still cool. I know it's cliche, but I've ALWAYS wanted to be an astronaut, if only to see the earth from above. This is as close as I'll get

That is the plan . . . to make "space flight" affordable to the public.  I too would like to do this, though I'll wait to see how the first few flights go to see how much physical strain the passengers go through. 

[MasterJedi]

Good for them!

[David S]

Burt Rutan is an engineering genius. My hat's off to him.

[afleitch]

A fantastic idea and a potential money spinner for the state

[MODU]

Burt Rutan is an engineering genius. My hat's off to him.

No kidding.  He and his brother are fantastic.  Modern day Wright Brothers.

[WMS]

Yay for us!

A fantastic idea and a potential money spinner for the state

Already I've seen the Yuppie Left bitch about how the money could be better spent...no, really.

This is the same type of shortsighted attitude that has hindered space exploration...

[KEmperor]

still cool. I know it's cliche, but I've ALWAYS wanted to be an astronaut, if only to see the earth from above. This is as close as I'll get

I had no idea you were one of the people who contributed $200,000 to the program.

[Platypus]

still cool. I know it's cliche, but I've ALWAYS wanted to be an astronaut, if only to see the earth from above. This is as close as I'll get

I had no idea you were one of the people who contributed $200,000 to the program.

I'm not, but when it's $50 I'll go