03 - Spaceport America, NM

Spaceport America, New Mexico - the gateway to space!



Today we traveled North for about 90 min to take part in a 3 hr tour of Spaceport America, the actual tour of Spaceport was about an hour, driving to it from our pickup location was what took the most time.  I learned that Spaceport was actually under way before Virgin Galactic came on the scene but the timing of the two worked out to be a win win for both parties. The buildings are still under construction and won't start occupation for another 6-12 months.  No word when White Knight 2 will start flying its $200,000 paying customers their 2 hr flight with 6 minutes of weightlessness thrown in for good measure.... One highlight was driving down the spaceway (their galactic lingo for runway), all 10,000' x 200' (and 42" thick)! Kind of makes Polly Ranch's 2700' x 24' runway seem Mickey Mouse!  We were impressed by the design of the buildings, their look, environmental impact & plain coolness.

 



Are these porcelin roof tiles hot or is it just me???

 


















 




10,000 ft? It's about this big!

 
















 





Virgin Galactic's Control Center...looks more like an insect but we love the futuristic look! That's real soil on the roof!

 
 




Captain Dave reporting for duty!





















 


 

Hangar doors that will store White Knight 2 and others!

 




 


Having fun with the special polarized windows...



 






Oh no! A big alien finger is about to squish us....! Good thing we have hard hats!