Spaceport America Monthly Newsletter | April 2024
Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport
Monthly Newsletter | April 2024
Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport.
A Note from the Executive Director
It has been a while since we have sent out a newsletter, but we are redoubling our efforts to get a publication such as this out on a monthly basis. This newsletter is for informing you both about happenings regarding Spaceport America and information about our unique industry. We appreciate comments and questions for topics to cover, and any notes on how to improve the newsletter. For this month, we discuss many recent activities at the spaceport and with New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) personnel, but first I wanted to point out efforts by other states to duplicate what New Mexico already has, or to increase their market share of the expanding aerospace industry.
The nation’s commercial space sector is growing quickly, with many other states and regions working to build their space ecosystem. Maine is working on a launch site and other projects to build an aerospace concentration. Like Spaceport America, Huntsville, Alabama is hoping to host orbital reentry while Oklahoma continues its efforts to find customers for its spaceport. In Texas , Governor Greg Abbot just announced the formation of the Texas Space Commission to really turbocharge their efforts and Florida is in possession of a new bill waiting to be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis to designate two new areas for development into spaceports . Out west, California ’s Governor Gavin Newsom, and the state's federal delegation, are working very hard to get more federal funding into their state.
These efforts continue to tell the story that space is not just the ‘final frontier’, but rather a new new frontier . That is, we are watching what was an ‘old market’ exponentially increase in size, funding, and opportunities as it converts from a governmental marketplace to private enterprise. New Mexico got ahead of the game in building Spaceport America, and we continue to be aggressive in finding new tenants and customers. In 2022, the existence of the Spaceport America accounted for 811 jobs and over $60 million in new money into the region. We will continue these efforts including working to host orbital launches in 10-15 years when technology is safe and reliable enough.
We thank you for reading, and, as always, we are very appreciative of the efforts of New Mexicans to ensure our state remains at the forefront of the aerospace and space industries.
Scott McLaughlin | Executive Director | Spaceport America
RS&H, Spaceport America Conclude Public Meeting Series
At the Sierra County Government building in Truth or Consequences, N.M., on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the third of three public meetings was held for residents wanting to hear from Spaceport America and RS&H officials concerning the master plan process for the world’s first purpose-build commercial spaceport.
Approximately 50 individuals attended the public meeting where RS&H and Spaceport America officials engaged in presentations and discussions centered around the site. RS&H is a leader in delivering customized, innovative solutions that are shaping the future of space exploration. This project will add to RS&H’s leading spaceport planning and consulting market services provided to aerospace clients across the nation.
The Spaceport America Master Plan project was initiated by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) to determine growth opportunities in New Mexico’s aerospace industry. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the project and to solicit public input on the following topics:
• how NMSA is achieving their current statutory mission
• public perception of the strengths and challenges for the spaceport
• opportunities and threats for the spaceport in the future
RS&H previously hosted public meetings on behalf of Spaceport America in Las Cruces, N.M. (October 4, 2023) and in Albuquerque, N.M. (January 10, 2024), gathering a wide variety of commentary from members of the general public around the state.
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) sponsored the Spaceport America Master Plan study to evaluate future spaceport needs such as operations by space, aviation, and other industries; evolving market and use-case trends; national security space requirements and operations; public and private investment trends; launch vehicles evolution, frequency of flights, potential payloads, and propellant storage; and regulatory trends. Based on these factors and public input, the master plan will produce development options for Spaceport America over a ten-year time frame. The master plan is expected to be released in June of 2024.
About RS&H | About Spaceport America
2024 Innovate New Mexico Technology Showcase Features Talks, Appearances by Spaceport America Personnel
More than 135 investors, entrepreneurs, industry reps and local business members were in attendance for the 2024 Innovate New Mexico Technology Showcase at the Sandia Events Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 5, to learn more about the leading research institutions in the state.
Highlighting the latest research and technology advancements taking place at New Mexico’s universities, laboratories and various sites, the showcase featured Spaceport America’s Director of Business Development, Francisco Pallares, appear on a panel concerning research capabilities in New Mexico.
About Innovate New Mexico
Spaceport America Personnel Take Part in LCPS Mock it ‘Till You Rock It Event
The world’s first purpose-build commercial spaceport was just one of numerous organizations on hand at the Las Cruces Convention Center on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, to participate in the Las Cruces Public Schools Mock It ‘Till You Rock It event. New Mexico Workforce Connection and the City of Las…