Pulsar

Green Tourism

2007-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

Back in January, we reported on the possibility of a theme park in Roswell, New Mexico. Now, media in the United States, Australia, and Britain are abuzz with news that the city has received a legislative appropriation of $245,000 for the initial planning of Alien Apex Resort, a bona fide UFO-themed amusement park. “Eventually, when people come to Roswell, they’re not going to have enough time to do everything they want to do. That’s our goal,” Roswell City Planner Zach Montgomery told the Sydney Morning Herald Online. For now, Roswell is the site of the 1947 Roswell Incident, the International UFO Museum and Research Center, and numerous alien-theme shops and restaurants. Alien enthusiasts will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Incident at this year’s Roswell UFO Festival, July 5-8, 2007.

Read the Associated Press story at CNN.com or Fox News

Sydney Morning Herald Online

All Headline News

Fly Like a Butterfly?

2007-05-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

While Armadillo Aerospace’s John Carmack isn’t exactly claming his lunar vehicle Pixel can “fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” he was doing some Ali-style bragging about the upcoming Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge, to be held at the Wirefly X Prize Cup, October 26 – 28 in Alamogordo and Las Cruces, New Mexico. At last week’s International Space Development Conference in Dallas, he told MSNBC’s Alan Boyle, “It will take very bad luck for us not to win.” At present, nine teams have applied to compete.

"Scotty" Returns to Terra Firma

2007-05-18T14:01:00.001-07:00

The final chapter in the saga of the successful April 28 launch from Spaceport America was written today when reseachers recovered the payload capsule of the Spaceloft XL rocket in the New Mexico mountains, SPACE.com reports. The capsule contained ashes of actor James Doohan, best known for portraying "Scotty" on Star Trek. Also in the capsule were ashes of NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper and 200 others. The rocket completed its mission of shooting the payload into space, which then safely parachuted back to Earth.

Higher Purpose: Voters Approve Tax to Finance Spaceport America

2007-04-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

The United States and United Kingdom are abuzz today with news that residents of New Mexico’s Dona Ana County approved a .25 percent increase in gross receipts tax to help fund construction of Spaceport America. The tax is expected to generate $50 million. Without the tax, Spaceport America would not be possible. Spaceport America will be built on high-desert rangeland (pictured above) outside the town of Truth or Consequences.

Read more from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6532383.stm

Local Election Creates National Buzz

2007-04-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Today, voters in Dona Ana county go to the polls to decide whether or not to impose a one-fourth of one percent sales tax to help finance Spaceport America and related math and science education. Typically, this sort of thing is a local story, but with the country's eye on New Mexico, it has made national news.

Read more from the Washington Post: http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/25/AR2007032501385.html?sub=new

Or listen via National Public Radio: http://http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9269312

Commercial Space: It's About Time

2007-02-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Time.com published "Space Cowboys," an in-depth business story on the New Space Race, covering every player from promiment Virgin Galactic to secretive Benson Space Co. About the Land of Enchatment, Time says: "New Mexico sees itself as a Silicon Valley of space, a place where an industry cluster could develop, absorbing investment and throwing off jobs as it does. When state economic-development secretary Rick Homans, chairman of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, saw the list of global companies participating in the X Prize in 2004, he says it suddenly dawned on him that the new space industry might look like the early computer industry--a bunch of crazy guys. 'They start with chaotic, crazy inventors and entrepreneurs--colorful characters. . .'" The story is also featured prominently in the March 5, 2007 print edition, pictured above.

Seeing Green

2007-01-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Are you reading this, Orlando? Roswell, New Mexico, already boasts the world’s only UFO museum plus downtown streetlamps shaped like aliens. Now, the city is ready to take its tourism to the next level and is in early talks about an extraterrestrial-themed amusement park, reports United Press International."This is not a guaranteed project but it has gone farther than any other theme park that has been considered for the city of Roswell, and it's looking very positive," said Roswell City Planning Director Zachary Montgomery late last week.

New Directions for Next Year’s X Prize Cup

2006-12-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

Things are looking up for the 2007 Wirefly X Prize Cup. The 2006 event was such a success that officials are prepared to expand the event’s offerings and locations. With a goal of flying more vehicles faster and farther, the world’s premier personal spaceflight expo could expand to White Sands and Alamogordo. Read more: http://"http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=d1fea7a3-8cae-488a-adbc-45f408480335"

Reinventing Flight

2006-12-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

The home of the Wright Brothers may take an existing airport to the next level, equipping it for reusable launch vehicles and joining the New Space Race. A few days ago, Ohio announced it was considering early plans for a spaceport. PlanetSpace—an organization that includes the minds behind X Prize contenders Canadian Arrow--would be the anchor tenants in this venture Read more: http://"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15993507/"

Christmas in the Air

2006-12-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Virgin Galactic makes headlines again. This time, it’s the legendary Neiman Marcus holiday catalog, where $1.7 million buys a trip to space and a splashdown (figuratively speaking) at Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Read more:
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/consumer/neiman_marcus/index.html

X Prize Cup Tickets On Sale Now

2006-08-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Tickets for the X Prize Cup, October 20-21 in Las Cruces, are on sale now. This year's flagship event is the Lunar Lander Challenge, with a overall purse of $2 million. To learn more or buy tickets: http://www.xprizecup.com

Global Marketplace Looks to Spaceport America

2006-07-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Spaceport America is the official name of New Mexico's spaceport, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Rick Homans announced this morning at the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England. The event is attended by thousands of people from around the world. Homans also unveiled the project's new website: http://www.spaceportamerica.com

Launch Rescheduled

2006-07-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

The UP Aerospace launch has now been rescheduled for September 5. The commercial space entrepreneurs Eric Knight and Jerry Larson are just waiting for a rocket motor casing that has yet to be delivered. A second launch is expected to follow soon after, with a third at the X Prize Cup October 18-21, 2006 in Las Cruces.

New Mexico Takes World Stage in Farnborough, England

2006-07-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

June’s announcement that DMJM will provide architectural and engineering services for our spaceport cements New Mexico’s position as the frontrunner on the path to building the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport. “The announcement means we are officially moving beyond just talking about the Spaceport,” stated Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Rick Homans.

Now, New Mexico is taking it to the next level. On Monday, July 17 at the Farnborough International Airshow in England, Secretary Homans will unveil a new brand and a new name for the world’s leading spaceport project. Farnborough is one the largest aerospace tradeshows in the world. Stay tuned to Pulsar as we cover the most monumental spaceport development yet.

The Countdown Begins

2006-07-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

UP Aerospace will launch the first rocket from New Mexico's spaceport on August 14, 2006. The rocket will carry private and educational experiments and payloads. The launch will take place from a temporary facility in the spaceport area. Read more: http://www.space.com/news/060629_spaceport_launch.html

Last night on CBS Evening News, EDD Cabinet Secretary Rick Homans, Governor Bill Richardson, and Sir Richard Branson shared with correspondent Anthony Mason their vision for the future of space travel and for New Mexico’s spaceport. "We're betting on the second Space Age,” said Homans. “ We're betting this is going to be the launch pad and incubator for an industry that puts man in space to live, work, and play."

Go with Rick Homans and Anthony Mason to the site of New Mexico’s spaceport:http://www.cbsnews.com/

Learn more, and see animated footage of how it might look: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/24/eveningnews/main1652739.shtml

Virtual Visit to New Mexico's Spaceport

2006-05-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

Visit the site of New Mexico's proposed spaceport via CBS Evening News on Wednesday, May 24. CBS Business correspendant Anthony Mason recently visited the spaceport location 30 miles east of Truth or Consequences with camera crew in tow. Locals can watch the segment on KRQE Channel 13 at 5 pm MDT. We'll keep you posted.

Pop Quiz

2006-05-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

The image above is:
a) a set design for the upcoming movie X Men: The Last Stand
b) cover art for the 50th Anniversary Edition of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World
c) an artist’s concept of a bona fide spaceport, proposed to be built in Singapore

Yep, the correct answer is C. Since New Mexico announced its plans to build its proposed spaceport last December, trends point to what pundits like EDD Cabinet Secretary Rick Homans and Scaled Composites’ Burt Rutan have been saying from the beginning: commercial space isn’t just about New Mexico. It’s a new global industry.

Space.com and MSNBC are ready to tell you more: http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/060517tech_spaceport.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12835483/

What’s Next? Spaceport Madagascar?

2006-05-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Even the lemurs express wide-eyed disbelief. . . but seriously, before the rumors start, NO ONE is planning a spaceport on this island off the coast of Africa. However, from Singapore to Sheboygan (and no, we’re not making that up), spaceport proposals are on the rise. While New Mexico officials review architects’ designs and expect to announce a winner this summer, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Singapore, and Dubai make their own plans to blast off. The story by Associated Press writer Alicia Chang has been picked up by USA Today, MSNBC, and CNN, among others. Read more:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-05-14-spaceports_x.htm
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12746930/
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/05/16/space.port.boom.ap/

Big Bang: The Evolution of New Space

2006-05-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

X Prize Chairman Peter Diamandis says the commercial spaceflight industry is experiencing a “Darwinian explosion” of suborbital designs, reports the Economist. At this week’s International Space Development Conference, which just wrapped up in L.A., vehicles as diverse as XCOR Aerospace’s Xerus, Rocketplane’s Rocketplane XP, and Blue Origin’s New Shepherd were topics of discussion. Also touted in the article: October’s X Prize Cup in Las Cruces, New Mexico. “All this suggests that spaceflight, if not exactly entering the age of the common man, is at least entering the age of the moderately prosperous enthusiast,” says the magazine. Read the full story:http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=6911220

Back to the Future

2006-05-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

NASA is ready to put people on the moon (again) in the next decade. To that end, the organization has collaborated with the X Prize Foundation to offer a prize for a new kind of lunar vehicle.

Teams are now invited to compete for the Lunar Lander Challenge, MSNBC and The Guardian reported today. Prizes totaling $2.5 million will be awarded teams who can simulate trips between the moon and low lunar orbit.

Level 1 requires a craft to take off from a designated launch area, rocket up to 150 feet altitude, hover for 90 seconds, and land precisely on a landing pad 100 meters away. Level 2 ups the ante to a 180-second hover period and a landing on a rocky, simulated lunar surface. Demonstrations are planned for the 2006 X Prize Cup, October 18-21 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Read more on MSNBC: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12638904/
Read more in The Gudardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1768276,00.html
Learn more about attending the X Prize Cup: http://www.xpcup.com/index.cfm?goto=2006_x_prize_cup.default

Gearing Up for the X Prize Cup

2006-05-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Events are already taking shape for the 2006 X Prize Cup, October 18-21 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Cup’s flagship event is the $2.5 million Lunar Lander Challenge, a collaboration between the X Prize Foundation and NASA. Also slated are G-force simulators, real spaceships on site, and interactive experiences with robots. To learn more, visit: http://www.xpcup.com/index.cfm?goto=2006_x_prize_cup.default

From the Ground Up

2006-05-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Experts are installing basic infrastructure at the New Mexico spaceport site 30 miles east of Truth or Consequences. Meanwhile, architects are putting the finishing touches on their proposals for the spaceport's design. (Proposals are due to New Mexico officials on Tuesday, May 9.) Next, the proposals will be scored and judged, and the design is expected to be announced this summer. Some hints on what to expect: The state-issued request for proposal says "The look and feel of the spaceport should be remarkable and memorable. . . [it] should be a model for environmentally sensitive construction and include options for renewable energy as a power source."

Meeting of the Minds

2006-05-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

Leaders in the New Space Race--including Economic Development's own Cabinet Secretary, Rick Homans--converge on Los Angeles May 4 for the International Space Development Conference. It's an impressive line-up including the first space tourist Dennis Tito; officials from NASA like Shana Dale and Charles Elachi; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; entrepreneurs like Burt Rutan, Elon Musk, Will Whitehorn, and Amir Ansari; X Prize Chairman Dr. Peter Diamandis; astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson; and television personalities Hugh Downs and Bill Nye "the Science Guy". The conference lasts until May 7 and covers topics like exploration, tourism, science, technology, policy, and commerce.

Entrepreneur's Guide to the Galaxy

2006-03-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

Business 2.0 focuses on stellar space investments in a series of articles found in its March 2006 issue. These stories are among the most succinct and insightful we've seen about space and private industry. Highlights include:

"Prepare for liftoff: The space business may be the most incredible new opportunity of your lifetime" http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/27/technology/business2_guidetospaceintro/

"To land humans on the Red Planet, NASA will need new equipment, fresh thinking, and advanced technology. These companies are preparing for mankind's next giant leap."http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/23/magazines/business2/cashinginmars/index.htm