Spaceport America Newsletter | April-June 2025

Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport

Newsletter | April-June 2025

Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport.

Dr. Bill Gutman (far left), Spaceport America's former Director of Aerospace Operations, talks about spaceport activities with a group of students and administrators from Los Lunas Public Library who visited Spaceport America as part of a summer outreach program

A Note from the Executive Director

If you have been following our press releases, you already know we have had a busy last few months. Venus Aerospace launched an innovative rocket using a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine. RDREs have fewer parts and higher thrust (per weight), so scaling this engine up will enable new technologies, such as the hypersonic vehicle Venus is working on. We also signed an initial agreement with LEAP Space for multiple sub-orbital launches at the spaceport. It is important to note that both of these customers are using our new 40-foot launch rail. We continue to find that having customer-ready facilities is an important draw for these early-stage companies.

Virgin Galactic (VG) is also making steady progress with the production of the two new Delta-class spaceships. In VG’s latest earnings report (May 15, 2025), it discussed its progress as the vehicles are fabricated and assembled. Besides numerous improvements, one important design feature is quicker ‘turnaround’ time, whereby the vehicle can return to space quickly after a flight. Previously, VSS Unity flew about once a month. However, the average turnaround for the new spaceships is supposed to take three days, so we should see weekly flights at the spaceport once VG has restarted spaceline operations. They have been producing very interesting progress updates, and these can be found on VG's YouTube page and various social media channels.

We also hope you can join us on Sunday, September 21, for our annual open house. More details are below, but this is a chance to see the Gateway to Space terminal and hangar building up close.

A final note is that we will soon release a five-year economic impact report. The report shows the increasing benefits that the spaceport is bringing to the region and New Mexico, as well as helping enable the growth of the aerospace industry in the region.

Scott McLaughlin | Executive Director, New Mexico Spaceport Authority

Artist's rendition of an ASCA1.0 reusable rocket ISC/Sirius Technologies plans to fly from Spaceport America

Innovative Space Carriers’ Subsidiary, Sirius Technologies, Inc., to Become Tenant at Spaceport America

Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), a space startup based in Tokyo, Japan, and its United States subsidiary, Sirius Technologies, Inc., announced the signing of an operational lease at Spaceport America.

The two-year lease allows ISC and its Colorado-based subsidiary and technology and development arm, Sirius, to test and develop its launch vehicles and rocket motor operations. ISC/Sirius plans to produce a reusable launch vehicle suitable for testing various launch and landing techniques before shifting focus to creating its single-stage-to-orbit (SSO) launch vehicle.

Complete Press Release | About Innovative Space Carriers

Spaceport America shared a booth with the New Mexico Partnership representing the NM Space Valley along with other key organizations such as the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), the NM Economic Development Department, and NewSpace Nexus

Spaceport America Personnel Attend 40th Space Symposium

Members of the Spaceport America Business Development team joined forces with other New Mexico space-focused organizations to represent the state at the global space industry’s largest annual conference.

Held in Colorado Springs, Colo., from April 7-10, the 40th Space Symposium provided our staff with valuable opportunities to connect with potential tenants and customers. The event also included panel discussions and media interviews, further enhancing our engagement within the aerospace community.

About the Space Symposium

Dr. Francisco Pallares (far left) with fellow Future of Space Launch Infrastructure panelists

Pallares Joins Panel at Harvard Business School

Dr. Francisco Pallares, Director of Business Development at Spaceport America, participated in a distinguished panel discussion on the future of space launch infrastructure at Harvard Business School on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

The panel convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and featured a cadre of esteemed experts, including Michael Anderson, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seagate; John DeMello, National Security Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School; and Sidney Nakahodo, Founder and Partner of Seldor Capital.

About Harvard Business School

10K division winners (left to right): Gabrial Ortega (El Paso, Texas), James Furneaux (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada), Eric Martinez (El Paso, Texas)

Spaceport America, TCR Productions, Team Up to Host Inaugural Space Race

On Sunday, April 27, Spaceport America welcomed a vibrant crowd of runners and supporters for the debut of the Space Race. Organized in collaboration with Albuquerque-based TCR Productions, the event offered 5K, 10K, and half-marathon courses winding through the spaceport’s expansive terrain. Participants of every age and background laced up to celebrate speed, endurance, and interstellar spirit.

About TCR Productions | Space Race Results

NMSA Executive Director Scott McLaughlin (left) and Dr. Seth Lacy (right) of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicle Directorate present at the 2025 SSIB

Spaceport America Takes Part in State of the Space Industrial Base Conference

From April 29 to May 1, 2025, NewSpace Nexus hosted the annual State of the Space Industrial Base (SSIB) Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conference convened…