Posted on 12/14/2005 7:39:40 PM PST by KevinDavis
New Mexico's plan to build a $225 million spaceport calls for the state Legislature to contribute $100 million in new money over the next three years — the "cornerstone" of an effort that could open up outer space to thousands of paying customers over the next decade, Gov. Bill Richardson said Wednesday.
The balance would come from state funding already approved, as well as federal and local funds, said Rick Homans, New Mexico's economic development secretary. New Mexico's political leaders said the investment would bring a return in the form of thousands of new jobs as well as heightened prestige.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Virgin Spaceport Ping!
The White Zone is for loading and unloading of passengers...
"TIJERAS: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany."
Gov. Bill Richardson receives a model of SpaceShipOne from Sir Richard Branson during a news conference on Wednesday. The two announced that Branson's company will launch space tourism missons from a $225 million spaceport in southern New Mexico.
Groping with our money. GRRRRR
Drove by the location on my way from EP to ABQ on Sunday. It's north of Las Cruces just past the border checkpoint station where they stop you and ask if you're an illegal ailen. When it's up and running, it would be a fast way to deport illegals back to Mexico or further.
This spaceport concept shows a runway in the New Mexico desert as well as Virgin Galactic's iris-themed logo. Most of the facilities would be underground.
Homans said the project would take advantage of an additional $35 million already set aside by the Legislature for upgrading transportation and runways. He said New Mexico's congressional delegation would seek federal backing as well, because the project would benefit the nation as well as the state of New Mexico.
Homans said New Mexico's financing plan also depends on revenue from a new gross-receipts tax that would have to be enacted by local governments in southern New Mexico. The local tax could generate $10 million to $12 million a year, he said. "That piece still has to be worked out, depending on what kind of support comes from southern New Mexico. ... We've got more work to do there," Homans said.
Un huh. I'd say so.
We need to move Roswell over there and have the UFO folks join in
With the 1000 mph boost you get from launching from the equator, why would you want to spend the extra fuel to launch from New Mexico?
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