NMSU selected for space research center

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico State University has been selected to lead a new center focused on research for commercial space transportation.

The designation was announced this week by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The partnership will involve academia, industry and government. The program is being developed to create a world-class consortium that will address current and future challenges in commercial space transportation.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says commercial space flight is ready to play a greater role in the nation's space program.

NMSU's involvement will focus on four major research areas — space launch operations and traffic management; launch vehicle systems, payloads, technologies, and operations; commercial human space flight; and space commerce, including law, insurance and regulation.