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Clara Moskowitz at Spaceport America
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
In October 2011 SPACE.com reporter Clara Moskowitz toured Spaceport America, a new commercial space launching ground under construction in the Southern New Mexico desert.
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Driving Toward the Spaceport
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
Driving toward the spaceport, the hangar with its shell-like roof and a nearby dome building seem to blend into the scenery.
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Truth or Consequences
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
A building in the town of Truth or Consequences, the nearest population center to the isolated spaceport.
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The Terminal Hangar
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
First stop: the terminal hangar, the focal point of the $209 million facility.
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Part of the Hangar
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The hangar was dedicated this month by Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Galactic is the anchor tenant of Spaceport America. Virgin Galactic plans to launch a fleet of suborbital space planes called SpaceShipTwo from here.
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Central Building Under Construction
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
Spaceport America officials plan to finish construction of this central building in 2012.
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Spaceport Operations Center
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The dome-shaped Spaceport Operations Center will house offices and Mission Control.
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"Eyebrow" of Mission Control
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
Mission Controllers will watch flights out of the windows from the "eyebrow" feature on the right side of the building.
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Spaceport Runway
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The spaceport also includes a 2-mile long (3.2 km), and 200-foot-wide (61 meter) runway for space planes to launch and land on.
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Bill Richardson's Runway
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The runway is named after former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who was instrumental in getting the Spaceport America project started.
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Forecast: Dry and Clear
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
New Mexico's dry and clear weather is a major selling point for the spaceport.
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The Main Hangar
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The main hangar will fit up to six of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo vehicles, and two of its WhiteKnightTwo motherships.
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Pre-weathered for a Rusty Look
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
The hangar includes glass and pre-weathered metal, which was oxidized for a rusty look to harmonize with the desert.
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Virgin Galactic Offices
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
Virgin Galactic offices will also be located in this central space, which will have areas for astronauts as well as friends and family.
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Balcony for Viewing Takeoffs and Landings
Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com
A high balcony will offer exceptional views of takeoff and landing.
