Spaceport America Timeline: Virgin Galactic’s gateway to space

Take a closer look inside the first all-purpose commercial spaceport built in New Mexico. After more than a decade, Virgin Galactic is aiming to become the first private company to take tourists to space July 11, 2021.

  • 2023 Spaceport America Cup will host students from 24 countries
    NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Spaceport America has announced its 2023 Spaceport America Cup. In total, 5,900 students will participate, made up of members from 159 teams and 24 different counties. The event, which has been held in New Mexico since 2017, will be from June 19 to 24 this year in Las Cruces. The cup is […]
  • Virgin Galactic spaceship glides in New Mexico test flight
    SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. (KRQE) – Inching closer to possible commercial service later this year, Virgin Galactic says its Unity spacecraft completed a successful test flight today at the Spaceport in southern New Mexico. The glide flight took place Wednesday morning, without using its rocket. The spaceship’s glide flight marks the second time VSS (Virgin Spaceship) […]
  • Spaceport America announces new Director of Business Development
    NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Spaceport America has appointed a new Business Development Director, Dr. Francisco Pallares. He will join the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) and has over ten years of experience in applied economic development and research. Scott McLaughlin, the Executive Director for NMSA, says Dr. Pallares will help the organization better focus on customers […]
  • Thunderbirds wrap up training at Spaceport America
    NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” recently wrapped up their two-week winter training session at Spaceport America. The group of over 70 people began their stay on January 9. According to a Spaceport America press release, this is the third time the Thunderbirds have used the facility to train. […]
  • Virgin Galactic ‘astronaut campus’ coming to New Mexico
    TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. (KRQE) – Virgin Galactic is bringing more space-related development to southern New Mexico. Their latest move: making strides toward a “first of its kind astronaut campus.” The idea is to build facilities for Virgin Galactic space travelers, the so-called “Virgin Galactic Future Astronauts,” according to a news release. The company says the […]