Spaceport America Newsletter | July-September 2025
Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport
Newsletter | July-September 2025
Events, updates and information regarding the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport.
Student interns from the Office of the Governor of New Mexico learn about Spaceport America from team members Jim Henry (far left) and Marco Armas (second from left) as part of a site visit in July of 2025
A Note from the Executive Director
As you can see below, Spaceport America continues to grow as an aerospace test, development, and operations site. And as mentioned in the last newsletter, we recently released a six-year economic impact report, which documents this growth and the positive impact the spaceport is having on New Mexicans.
The global space economy is growing at a rate of almost 8% per year. New Mexico is better positioned to benefit from growth due to the presence of Spaceport America. Other nearby states, including Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas, are all trying to either build their own spaceports or find customers to conduct a wide range of activities similar to those already occurring at Spaceport America. Our good weather, non-commercial airfield operations, restricted airspace, and sparse population are hard to beat, though.
As the number of customers and activities at the spaceport increases, the services we provide and the level of staffing at the spaceport must also increase. This is because our customers require significant project management as we help them fly or test their products. We oversee the use of our facilities (or assist them in building their own), manage airspace, and collaborate with them on operations and safety procedures, as well as planning and documentation for the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range (for the use of their airspace) and the Federal Aviation Administration. To grow revenue and economic impact, it is essential that Spaceport America also expand its staffing capabilities and facilities. This is a formula that we can now show works. The spaceport is an investment that is showing a positive return.
Next year, we can expect Virgin Galactic to resume space flights with two new spaceships. I encourage you to follow their progress on social media platforms, such as their YouTube channel . As they progress to two flights each week, we can expect a significant increase in overall economic impact.
Scott McLaughlin | Executive Director, New Mexico Spaceport Authority
Dozens of attendees from FUSE's meeting at Spaceport America pose in front of the Gateway to Space building
FUSE Federal Hosts Gathering at Spaceport America
FUSE, an innovative company focused on fusion energy development, hosted a gathering of local elected leaders, economic development personnel, and ranking military personnel at Spaceport America on Sept. 26, 2025, to discuss the potential of fusion energy and other related businesses in New Mexico.
Research and development of fusion energy began in the 1950s with the ultimate goal being to create a near-inexhaustible supply of clean, sustainable energy.
About FUSE
Rocketeer Academy attendees pose in front of Spaceport America's Airfield Rescue and Firefighting (AARF) vehicle in July of 2025
Spaceport America, Virgin Galactic, Welcome Rocketeer Academy Cadets
In July 2025, three cohorts of students had the opportunity to visit Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic as part of the New Mexico Rocketeer Academy Summer Camp, hosted by the New Mexico Museum of Space History and the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.
Nearly 140 students in grades 3 through 8 participated in this year’s Rocketeer Academy—the first to be held since 2019. During their site visits, students explored Virgin Galactic’s operations inside the iconic Gateway to Space building and toured Spaceport America’s operations center, gaining firsthand insight into the future of commercial spaceflight.
As part of the program’s outreach efforts, Spaceport America personnel also traveled to the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo to engage with campers and enhance their learning experience.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Rocketeer Academy. For more details, please see the links below.
About the New Mexico Museum of Space History | About the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation | About the Rocketeer Academy/2026 Registration
Spaceport America team members Cilicia Acosta (left) and Scott McLaughlin (middle) join Director of Operations for the New Mexico Lieutenant Governor's Office Martina C'de Baca (right) for a photo at the Langley Research Center Headquarters Building in Virginia
Spaceport America Personnel Attend Aerospace States Association Annual Meeting
Spaceport America proudly joined aerospace leaders from across the country at the 33rd Annual Aerospace States Association (ASA) Meeting and Sixth Annual State Aerospace Policy Summit, held July 28–31, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Representing both the spaceport and the state of New Mexico, Executive Director Scott McLaughlin and Aerospace Business Development Coordinator Cilicia Acosta participated in key discussions focused on advancing aerospace innovation, policy, and collaboration nationwide.
The ASA is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization made up of Lieutenant Governors, state-appointed delegates, legislators, and representatives from territorial and tribal governments. Its associate members include leaders from aerospace industries, academic institutions, and organizations committed to strengthening aerospace and aviation across the U.S.
Looking ahead, New Mexico will host the ASA’s 2026 Annual Meeting, with Spaceport America serving as one of the host institutions. More details on programming and events will be shared through ASA and Spaceport America channels in the coming months.
About the Aerospace States Association | About the Aerospace States Association New…