Spaceport America is the world's first purpose-built spaceport, located in south central New Mexico. Situated next to White Sands Missile Range on the Jornada del Muerto, with the Rio Grande and Caballo Mts to the west and the San Andres Mts to the east. Construction began in 2009. The spaceport's major tenant, Virgin Galactic conducted its first fly-over in 2010 and has taken official occupancy of the spaceport. Operational flights are expected to begin in 2020.
The dramatic Spaceport America terminal building was designed by Foster + Partners, one of the world's premier architectural firms. From their page:
"The sinuous shape of the building in the landscape and its interior spaces seek to capture the drama and mystery of space flight itself, articulating the thrill of space travel for the first space tourists. Making a minimal impact on the environment, the scheme will be the first facility of its kind and a model for the future."
Spaceport America at Dawn. Photo Scott Weaver
Spaceport America at sunrise. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America in its desert environment. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America hangar view. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America's fascinating environment. Photo: Scott Weaver
New Mexico's glorious Spaceport America. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America full view daytime. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America with distant mountains. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America at sunrise. Photo: Scott Weaver
VIP plane in front of Spaceport America hangar. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America with dust. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America hangar view. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America hangar view detail. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America black-and-white detail. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America's massive hangar doors. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America blue sunrise. Photo: Scott Weaver
Spaceport America black-and-white detail. Photo: Scott Weaver
New Mexico's Spaceport America morning light. Photo: Scott Weaver
The unique desert environment at New Mexico's Spaceport America. Photo: Scott Weaver
Looking east to the Spaceport America terminal and hangar. Photo: Scott Weaver
Entrance to Spaceport America. Photo: Scott Weaver
Interview with Foster + Partners project architect Paik Jun-beom discussing how the spaceport's location was chosen, selection of the project manager, associate architect, contractors, and more.
Spaceport America also hosts other space companies. One of these is SpinLaunch, a start-up working to create a new system for launching satellites into space utilizing an entirely new technology, and at a lower cost.
Wired Magazine story on SpinLaunch
News about SpinLaunch
Wired Magazine story on SpinLaunch
News about SpinLaunch
Photos © Copyright Scott Weaver 2020. All rights reserved. Photographs may not be used without the expressed written permission of Scott Weaver and Spaceport America.