The world’s first commercial spaceport has started construction in New Mexico, with the state’s governor breaking ground on the facility last Friday.
The spaceport, titled Spaceport America and estimated to cost about $198 million, will be home to several commercial customers and passengers who are heading into space.
Governor Bill Richardson said that the opening of the spaceport will eventually open up prospects of a commercial space industry.
“After all of the hard work to get this project off the ground, it is gratifying to see Spaceport America finally become a reality. This groundbreaking ceremony is an important step toward our goal of being at the forefront of a vibrant new, commercial space industry,” he said.
Spaceport America says the site is designed “with the needs of the commercial space business in mind. Unique geographic benefits, striking iconic design, and the tradition of New Mexico space leadership are coming together to create a new way to travel into space”.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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