Spaceport America on schedule

Spaceport America, the new commercial spaceport being developed in New Mexico, remains on schedule even though construction won’t begin until next year, state spaceport authority officials said Tuesday. Construction of the spaceport will begin in April of 2008, shortly after the state anticipates receiving a spaceport license from the FAA. The state is currently working on the environmental assessment portion of the licensing process, as well as engaging in Virgin Galactic in discussions about the spaceport design. The cost of the facility is still pegged at $198 million.