World's First Spaceport to Begin Construction on Friday.

[Mar77]

On June 19th, 2009, construction is set to begin for the world's first commercial spaceport, a sort of airport for spacecraft. Spaceport America, as it is to be called, will be constructed in the desert of New Mexico. While numerous places have discussed the possibility of opening spaceports, it appears as though Virgin Galactic will be the first company to do so.

Here are some concept drawings of the spaceport:







In the future the company says they plan on expanding, adding a spaceport in Europe, Spaceport Sweden.

[Holger Danske]

Well, perhaps this is the begining of commerical space travel. Which is key essential if we are ever really to expand out in space... But I'm skeptical about Virgin Galactic's success.

[Azog 150]

I am confused. Are those planes in the pictures able to go to space? Because they don't look particularly sturdy or powerful (At least not to an extent where they can boost themselves past our atmosphere)

[Andrew87]

I am confused. Are those planes in the pictures able to go to space? Because they don't look particularly sturdy or powerful (At least not to an extent where they can boost themselves past our atmosphere)

Those planes are designed for sub-orbital spaceflights but they're working on a new design that will allow them to go above Earth's atmosphere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Galactic

[HansDuet]

They are not real planes in pictures. Graphics.

Interesting anyway.

[Azog 150]

^^I know that, but I am guessing that is what the planes will look like?

[Holger Danske]

They aren't designed to leave the Earth's gravitational pull, so they don't need to have the power of a Saturn 5 rocket...

[il padrino]

On June 19th, 2009, construction is set to begin for the world's first commercial spaceport, a sort of airport for spacecraft. Spaceport America, as it is to be called, will be constructed in the desert of New Mexico. While numerous places have discussed the possibility of opening spaceports, it appears as though Virgin Galactic will be the first company to do so.

Here are some concept drawings of the spaceport:







In the future the company says they plan on expanding, adding a spaceport in Europe, Spaceport Sweden.

that thing looks like a giant...


anyways,it's good to hear that news

[Ishoss]

Spaceport Sweden.. *mumbles*

[Viking Prince]

Looks good. If only Iwas a senior pilot nearing retriement. Sigh.

[chamaeleo]

Ahhh...yes, finally! I was getting pessimistic after Tesla Motors pulled out of building its factory here in Albuquerque, but this is something to celebrate. This should also give them loonies in Roswell something else to gawk at between meth trips...

[Da Skinna]

When aliens find out what "virgin" means do you think we'll be respected?

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Maybe in 40 years I will be able to charter a flight and go spacewalking for a few thousand dollars...

[SigniferOne]

Am I missing something, or does this structure completely looks vertical take-off capability, and looks completely like a normal airport?


Let me show you a space center:

[Holger Danske]

Again. Virgins aircrafts won't exactly go into space as the STS does...

[Steve Holt]

Dont they just leave the atmosphere for quicker travel times, I remember reading a magazine about it a couple of years ago which will make a trip fom Sydney to London like 5 hours long

[Alba gu Brath]

This is cool. What do we do though, just go up into the atmosphere and fly around or whatever? Whats the point in that? We need space hotels

[Holger Danske]

This is cool. What do we do though, just go up into the atmosphere and fly around or whatever? Whats the point in that? We need space hotels

Main point would like be to prove that it can be done for a reasonable price. One that the private sector can afford. You see the Second Space Race is all about bringining an end to the Government held monopoly of space travel, and frankly if we are ever to have a future out there space travel must be worth while for the private sector. Space tourism is just the fancier part of it...

[Alba gu Brath]

Main point would like be to prove that it can be done for a reasonable price. One that the private sector can afford. You see the Second Space Race is all about bringining an end to the Government held monopoly of space travel, and frankly if we are ever to have a future out there space travel must be worth while for the private sector. Space tourism is just the fancier part of it...

True but space tourism would definately be big business, especially if it came at a reasonable price, like not being alot dearer than a plane ticket to actually get into spce.

[Holger Danske]

True but space tourism would definately be big business, especially if it came at a reasonable price, like not being alot dearer than a plane ticket to actually get into spce.

Not compared to space mining once/if we figure out how to do that for a reasonable price. Heh, I hope Maersk bets big on that when time is due. If they're still around by then that is. Would be cool to see a Space borne Emma Maersk...