Space.com (November 5, 2008)
"Residents of Otero County in New Mexico have defeated a Spaceport America tax increase to help build an inland spaceport that will serve as the launching ground for commercial spacecraft.
"Reports from the field there say Tuesday's election tally show that 52.3 percent voted against the tax; 47.7 percent voted for the tax...."
Wait a minute! Spaceports are science fiction, right?
Well, yes. They're also very much a part of the 21st century.
Spaceport America is a commercial spaceport: 45 miles, or 72.4 kilometers, north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. That one eighth of one percent sales tax that Otero County voted down would have gone to operational expenses.
I think I can see why Otero County voters turned the new tax down. In the short run, this isn't the most comfortable time to add an expense to everyone's budget. On the other hand, in the long run I think turning part of Otero County into a port city might be good for the local economy.
Construction of the rest of Spaceport America will go ahead, just a bit more slowly .
What a View! Space Bubbles Would Thrill Tourists"
Space.com (October 24, 2008)
"The Rocket Racing League is teaming up with a private aerospace company and the state of New Mexico to build a new fleet of suborbital spacecraft designed to give space tourists a view of the Earth unlike any other...."
The ride looks like it would be a bit like hang gliding.
Without the hang glider, and above most of the atmosphere.
It sounds like a great experience. For people who aren't troubled by motion sickness or vertigo.
The Rocket Racing League and Armadillo Aerospace have teamed up for this commercial venture.
(From Rocket Racing League, via Space.com, used without permission)
'Passengers are now free to move about the cabin.'
Related posts:
- "Spaceport Development Tax on Otero County Ballot "
(November 5, 2008) - "Spaceport America: It's Real, and Open for Business "
(October 25, 2008) - "Spaceports: the Blog "
(October 25, 2008) - "Dubai Architecture: A Photo Gallery "
(October 25, 2008) - "Coming Soon to a Spaceport Near You"
(March 26, 2008)
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