SPACEPORT: the final frontier … public’s input sought January 10

ALBUQUERQUE — The second public meeting for the Spaceport America Master Plan project takes place from 6-8 p.m. on January 10 at NewSpace Launchpad, 2420 Alamo Ave. SE, #104, in Albuquerque.

Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m.

The project was initiated by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) to determine growth opportunities in New Mexico’s aerospace industry.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the project and to solicit public input on the following topics:

· how NMSA is achieving their current statutory mission;

· public perception of the strengths and challenges for the Spaceport; and

· opportunities and threats for the spaceport in the future.

Public input during the meeting is encouraged. The meeting will begin with a 30-minute presentation by the project team to include an overview of the project approach and schedule, a review of the statutory mission of Spaceport America, and a summary of the estimated economic impact of the spaceport. The remainder of the meeting will be open to live comments about the future of Spaceport America and what citizens would like to see achieved from the spaceport’s operations.

Comments on each topic will be limited to two minutes per speaker. A sign-up sheet for comments will be available at the venue. Comments may also be submitted in writing at the public meeting or emailed to SA-MP-Comments@rsandh.com.

NMSA sponsored the Spaceport America Master Plan study to evaluate future spaceport needs such as operations by space, aviation, and other industries; evolving market and use-case trends; national security space requirements and operations; public and private investment trends; launch vehicles evolution, frequency of flights, potential payloads, and propellant storage; and regulatory trends. Based on these factors and public input, the master plan will produce development options for Spaceport America over a ten-year time frame.