A Portal Into Space, And It's In My Backyard | Politics | New West Network
By Heath Haussamen, Posted 01/25/09
Link: http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/a_portal_into_space_and_its_in_my_backya...
“…I have to admit, I’m a little giddy about the fact that New Mexico is about to begin construction on the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world only 40 miles from my house.” Spaceport America development is underway based on an agreement with Virgin Galactic to fly the SpaceShipTwo craft from this proposed facility near Las Cruces, NM.
Comments
What's Your Strategy?
From: Richard Mains, 02/17/09
Eric, is your concept that you will have actual activities, events, education opportunities at the SpacePort itself and then use some of that content and/or products secondarily available online for remotely located students or classrooms? Or are you envisioning that most of the interaction with students would be online (some real-time, some not) via podcasts and similar events? I'm very intrigued by how you think this might actually work and if there is a model you've seen for this?
Yes to Statewide Benefits
From: Eric Brachhausen, 02/17/09
Richard, most definitely Spaceport America is about spreading the benefits of the spaceport throughout New Mexico, and we fully expect those beyond the state's borders to benefit as well. The four principal areas of benefit are in economic development, tourism, the technology base, and education (especially STEM education). Virtual tools will be particularly important to furthering educational aims. The newly-formed Spaceport America Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to augmenting the spaceport and enriching education in the state, will make use of a central knowledge-sharing and collaborative workspace to tie together all of its far-flung stakeholders.
State-Wide Benefits from Spaceport America?
From: Richard Mains, 01/29/09
Eric, it may be a bit premature, but I would be very interested in even top-level concepts that New Mexico and Spaceport America are considering for producing state-wide benefits. Are you thinking of creating a virtual Spaceport of some kind?
It's About New Space and Creating Uplift for All
From: Eric Brachhausen, 01/29/09
Your excitement is justified! Spaceport America is about building the future on a fresh foundation, and doing it responsibly. The State of New Mexico and Spaceport America management are keenly aware of the need to guide development in a way that harnesses new space capabilities to improve the quality of life for all concerned. This means planning from the beginning to improve education, the workforce, economic development, and tourism throughout the entire state. With the VG signing and other developments coming, soon the awareness will spread that space travel is a real industry, just like any other sector of transportation.
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