LAS CRUCES, NM, August 15, 2019 (Virgin Galactic PR) — Virgin Galactic today revealed the first look at the interior fit-out of its Gateway to Space building at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The work completed showcased two floors of the building primarily focused on spaceflight operations, which also incorporates communal spaces designed for use in the future by Virgin Galactic customers, along with their friends and families. Completion of this interior work means the spaceport facility is now operationally functional and able to support Virgin Galactic’s flight requirements. 

A Virgin Galactic spokeswoman tells me that SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity remains in Mojave as its passenger cabin is fitted out for commercial flights. The spacecraft is set to join WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve at Spaceport America in New Mexico later this year to complete a series of flights that began in Mojave. Commercial suborbital flights are set to begin from there in 2020. The company is planning an event on Thursday, […]

There’s some news from Cornwall on the spaceport front: Cornwall Council has admitted that it is ‘anticipating a positive announcement’ on the bid to have the UK’s first spaceport in Newquay bringing thousands of new jobs and an £1bn a year into the local economy. Newquay is among eight UK sites vying to become the first spaceport in Europe as the Government aims to meet the growing interest in space […]

SANTE FE, N.M. (Thornburg Foundation PR) — The Thornburg Foundation is pleased to announce that the recently completed Virgin Galactic Terminal Hanger at Spaceport America will receive the 2014 Jeff Harnar Award for Contemporary Architecture in New Mexico. Sited in the remote landscape region approximately twenty-five miles southeast of Truth or Consequences, the project was selected from submissions of completed projects located throughout the state.

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The Terminal Hangar Facility at Spaceport America will house Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo. It is also where future tourist astronauts will train for their journey to suborbital space. The beginning of the journey began at Mojave Air & Space Port. (Credit: David Wilson, Spaceport America)

LAS CRUCES, NM (NMSA PR) — The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has issued new Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for the General Services and Spaceport Operations Center Fit-Out Design contracts at Spaceport America.

General Services RFP

The scope of work required for the General Services contract includes providing labor, supervision, management, supplies, materials, tools and equipment to perform:

• Development of policies and procedures for all general services activities
• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Building and utility maintenance and repairs
• Interior and exterior building maintenance
• Janitorial services
• Fuel storage operation and maintenance
• Motor vehicle and aircraft fueling
• Foreign Object Debris (FOD) removal
• Grounds-keeping and landscape maintenance
• Sustainability management, including on-site materials logistics and waste management
• Roads maintenance
• Airfield, runway and taxiway/apron maintenance

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TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM (NMSA PR) – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Board of Directors reviewed plans today to design, build and program the Spaceport America Visitor Experience. The plan includes two off-site Welcome Centers located in the Village of Hatch in Doña Ana County and in Truth or Consequences in Sierra County, plus an on-site Visitors Center and specially developed behind-the-scenes tours as well as the chance to visit the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space.

The Spaceport America Visitor Experience will be a professionally designed immersion into the excitement of the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport. Guests will be invited to explore the history, adventure, potential and inspiration of both the next space-age. Officials project attendance will grow to more than 200,000 visitors annually.

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