Virgin Galactic's seventh spaceflght set for Saturday at Spaceport America
KDBC CBS 4 News provides local news, weather, sports, community events and items of interest for El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, NM and nearby towns and communities in Clint, Fabens, Socorro, San Elizario, Canutillo, Vinton, Anthony, Ysleta, Horizon City, Fort Bliss, Van Horn, Fort Hancock, Tornillo, Westway, La Mesa, Mesilla, Mesquite, San Miguel, Vado, Deming, Alamogordo, White Sands, Chaparral, Berino, Chamberino, Dona Ana, Elephant Butte, Hatch, La Union, Radium Springs, Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and Truth or Consequences (Tor C). Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, is set to host the launching of Virgin Galactic's seventh commercial spaceflight Saturday. The event, which attracts people from across the country and provides opportunities for universities in the area, is also beneficial for college students and grads in the region. The launch will be the seventh commercial flight by Virgin Galactic and its 12th overall. Four passengers will be onboard, including three private astronauts and one Axiom Space-affiliated researcher astronaut. Spaceport America is completely funded by the state of New Mexico and taxpayers in Dona Ana and Sierra County, but has never received federal funds.
نشرت : قبل 11 أشهر بواسطة https://www.facebook.com/cbs4local, Margo Lepe في Science
Spaceport America will host the launching of Virgin Galactic’s seventh commercial spaceflight Saturday, giving its passengers an out-of-this-world experience Saturday.
The Executive Director of Spaceport America said launches like these attract people from all over the country and present greater opportunities for universities in our area like The University of Texas at El Paso.
Virgin Galactic is scheduled to launch its seventh commercial spaceflight Saturday from Spaceport America which is near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and sits on 18,000 acres of land 45 miles north of Las Cruces.
Scott McLaughlin with Spaceport America said after President Biden formed something called the Build Back Better grant early in his administration, Spaceport America was able to create a coalition in New Mexico called Space Valley, which allowed opportunities between them and UTEP.
He said Spaceport America allows college students and grads in this region to partake in the ability to design, manufacture and most importantly, go to space.
McLaughlin said “We have an agreement with them and if they finally get it to work, they would have easier access to the Spaceport. That's good for everybody. It's good for UTEP. It's good for New Mexico State and UNM and Tech and it really helps build the region again as Space Valley.”
“Galactic ’07” marks the seventh commercial spaceflight launched by Virgin Galactic and its 12th overall to date.
A total of four passengers will be onboard including three private astronauts and one Axiom Space-affiliated researcher astronaut, who will conduct experiments during the flight. All four will be aboard the spaceplane or “VSS Unity.”
Mclaughlin said, “Spaceport America is completely funded by the state of New Mexico and the taxpayers in Dona Ana and Sierra County. Unfortunately, we never have gotten any federal funds, even though the federal government now is starting to look at inland spaceports as possible launch sites for orbital launch.”
The exact time of Saturday’s launch is not publicly disclosed, but McLaughlin said there is a public viewing area for attendees.
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المواضيع: Space