There was a discussion Wednesday night about the future of the American Spaceport in New Mexico.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A discussion took place Wednesday night about the future of America's Spaceport in New Mexico. Spaceport leaders wanted to update the public on their plans and get feedback from people in the community at a meeting in Albuquerque.
A few dozen people gathered at a facility near the Albuquerque International Sunport, and Spaceport representatives explained their short-term and long-term plans.
“In the future, we'll focus on things like orbital launch, maybe in 10 or 15 years. We're focused on getting back into the atmosphere, on building an entire ecosystem, what we now call Space Valley, of Los Alamos to El Paso.
Plans will build on what is already going on.
“It's amazing how much goes on there that people don't know about,” said Andrew Nelson, vice president of aeronautics at RS&H, the spaceport consulting firm.
They expect more companies to relocate and see an expanded workforce, perhaps into the thousands, in the next five years.
Spaceport representatives acknowledged that many people opposed the project and the more than $200 million in taxpayer money that went to it.
“I think public opinion could be a threat to the spaceport,” one attendee said.
“What is the economic impact?” Another audience member asked.
Spaceport representatives responded to this economic question by pointing to the report that showed a $200 million impact in 2022.
Spaceport representatives say their master plan will be finalized this spring.
This comes after Virgin Galactic announced layoffs affecting more than 70 employees at its New Mexico operations.
Wednesday night, Spaceport representatives said they believe the company will bounce back, and in the next few years will have more workers in the state than it did before the layoffs.
