In the case of the United States, it is definitely “to infinity and beyond” in regards to space travel and exploration. So far, you can pay millions of dollars if you want to fly up into outer space. However, the prospect has yet to have been commercialized. But, it may no longer be the case.
The United States is getting the head start on the rest of the entire world. How is it getting a head start? It has given the “okay” to start constructing its first commercial spaceport. It will be the first one to be made in the world. So far, it seems that the designated location will be in New Mexico. While it has been approved, the construction has not been started yet.
“These two governmental approvals are the next steps along the road to a fully operational commercial spaceport,” said Steven Landeene, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Space Authority (NMSA).
It is set to sign an agreement with Virgin Galactic. It is part of the franchise owned by Sir Richard Branson.
However, getting a ticket will not be cheap. If you are interested, you need to ante up at least $200,000. Also, it is limited to only 500 passengers a year at the moment. Plus, the flight only lasts under five minutes. You may want to think carefully on whether or not paying the $200K is well worth it.
Since it is taking place in New Mexico, it should be under the jurisdiction of the state governor. Currently, the governor is Bill Richardson. However, Richardson has been picked by US President-Elect Barack Obama to be the new US Secretary of Commerce.
So far, there are hopes that construction should be completed by 2010. But there is one question that needs to be asked: How much funding will go into this commercial space station? There is still the impending economic crisis at hand. Perhaps the state of the economy will affect how much public funding it receives. Still, there is the prospect of private donors.
When it is completed, hopefully passengers will not run into some hostile life forms. Hopefully, passengers will not come across the Death Star.
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