There’s lots of news about Spaceport America

There was a lot of news over the weekend about Spaceport America. Most was good news for those who support the project. The cause of a failed launch from the spaceport last year has been identified; most commissioners from the three counties considering raising the gross receipts tax to help fund the project appear to be on board; and another company working in Las Cruces has received an important contract that gives it a financial boost.

Here’s a rundown:

UP Aerospace identifies problem with rocket

On Friday, UP Aerospace announced that it has identified the cause of its failed launch last fall as a tailfin that wasn’t designed to hold up at speeds reached during launch, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.

The company says that, now that it has identified the problem, it will be easy to fix. The company now plans six launches this year, the first most likely before the end of March.

Until UP Aerospace has a successful launch that provides necessary data, the state can’t apply for an FAA license to operate a spaceport. Virgin Galactic won’t likely sign a formal agreement until that happens, so a successful launch is currently holding up development of the spaceport.

Counties discuss spaceport and tax

Commissioners from Doña Ana, Otero and Sierra counties gathered in Las Cruces on Monday to discuss the spaceport with New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Rick Homans.

Homans unveiled preliminary architect drawings of Virgin Galactic’s planned facility at the spaceport, according to the Sun-News. Homans said he expects to have a preliminary document outlining an agreement with Virgin Galactic in March and an FAA license by the end of 2007 – assuming UP Aerospace has a successful launch soon.

The lone commissioner expressing outright opposition to increasing the local gross receipts tax to help fund the spaceport was Doña Ana County Commissioner Oscar Vasquez Butler, who said the tax shouldn’t be placed on the three counties alone. Homans countered by pointing out the more than $100 million the state has already agreed to invest in the project.

Starchaser gets important contract

Also Monday, Starchaser Industries announced that it has been awarded a $200,000 contract for assessment of its Thunderstar – Starchaser 5 space tourism vehicle. Starchaser, based in the United Kingdom, has an office in Las Cruces and plans to build a major facility west of Las Cruces and utilize Spaceport America.

The contract from the European Space Agency is part of the agency’s program to identify and assess commercial space technology that could lead to future legal and licensing requirements for space tourism operations in Europe.

The award gives a boost to a company that has been in some controversy since its talks with the City of Las Cruces to obtain land at the West Mesa Industrial Park fell through last year. At the time, the company restructured its staff in Las Cruces and began looking elsewhere for land, eventually settling on a large parcel west of the airport.