Elephant Butte

Spaceport America

We took the preview tour of Spaceport America this weekend.  While we didn't see any spaceships, and we couldn't go in any of the buildings, the experience was remarkable.  The tour started in Truth or Consequences as we boarded a van and took the 30 minute + trip out to the spaceport.  Below is a picture taken at the entrance gate.  The building ahead is a building built for Virgin Galactic by the state of New Mexico and two counties in southern New Mexico.  The building is suppose to blend into the environment since Spaceport America is visible from the Camino Real national trail.  The building is also a building that is attempting to get a Gold LEED certification.

 

The building below is the building that will be the Spaceport America headquarters building.

Below is a side view of the Virgin Galactic building.

This was an amazing part of the experience.  We got to WALK on the spaceport runway.  The runway is built to really high specifications.  It is 42 inches thick.  To the right you can see the Virgin Galactic building.  The X across the runway numbers one-six means the airport is closed to traffic.

This was also an amazing experience.  Standing on the runway in front of the Virgin Galactic building.  The glass was made in Germany.  The flat glass allows the mountains to reflect in the background.  When the building opens the bottom level will be a lounge for the entourages of the people going into space.  The middle floor will be the control tower (although all controls will actually be handled on board the space ships).  The top floor will be a lounge and living quarters for people going into space.

Below Joel is standing in front of the hangar doors on the Virgin Galactic building.

Truth or Consequences Building

Truth or Consequences

We loved staying at the Blackstone Hotsprings hotel and spa in Truth or Consequences.  The rooms come with private tubs with hot water that comes from the hot springs in T or C.  We stayed in the As the World Turns room.  Loved it!