Spaceport brings jobs to New Mexico p1 - Military Transition - Military Times EDGE

New Mexico officials say the state’s Spaceport America will provide 500 construction jobs over the next four years and spark economic development, education and tourism for generations. “It will bring jobs, give our students the opportunity to have careers in math and science here in New Mexico and create tourism and other long-term economic activity,” spaceport director Steve Landeene said.

The $200 million project is being built with the idea of launching private citizens into space for profit. About 250 people are lining up to pay $200,000 each to take the trip as early as 2010. Spacecraft will take flight attached to an airplane, then break free and rocket 62 miles into space before returning to the facility. The flights will last about two hours and include five minutes of weightlessness.

The spaceport will operate like an airport, offering a location where aerospace companies can lease building and hangar space. Virgin Galactic, a company owned by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, will be the spaceport’s anchor tenant. Competitors such as XCOR Aerospace and Armadillo Aerospace are developing spacecraft for $95,000 flights. And as flights become more routine, costs should drop.

Similar spaceport ventures are proposed in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and elsewhere.