Spaceport runway construction. (Photo by Richard Woodsum)
Construction of the 10,000-foot runway at Spaceport America is underway, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced today in a news release.
It’s the most tangible sign yet that the spaceport is on its way toward becoming a reality. Officials say the runway should be complete by late summer 2010. The current work involves clearing and leveling ground for the massive runway.
From the news release:
“Measuring 10,000 feet long by 200 feet wide, the runway is designed for day-to-day space tourism and payload launch operations like those anticipated for Virgin Galactic, the anchor tenant for Spaceport America. The large concrete runway will also be able to accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.”
The runway is being built by David Montoya Construction of Alameda, NM.
As for the terminal and hangar facility that will allow operations to begin at the spaceport, the news release says it’s “projected to be complete by early 2011.”