Spaceport: Protect area resource
This El Paso and Southern New Mexico area must keep control over its unique sources of supply, such as a future hotbed for solar energy, as just one example. In this case, it's our wide-open spaces, already conducive to U.S. military operations at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss. That's 1-million-plus acres of testing grounds.
The focal point today is protecting the investment in Spaceport America, located 45 miles north of Las Cruces. That venture is already a $200 million-plus investment in technology that may someday launch spacecraft with passengers and land them within minutes on the other side of the world.
It is of utmost importance that Spaceport's tenant, Virgin Galactic, along with spacecraft manufacturers and suppliers, have the same liability protections as are now on the books in at least four other states. Without such protections, Virgin Galactic could well depart Spaceport and leave the facility with no tenants.
Whereas this area is perhaps best-suited of all for private spacecraft launches, other states are getting into the game because this field could result in economic booms for surrounding cities -- jobs and tourism as just two of the positives.
More at http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_22561763/spaceport .
