Creation of Spaceport District

The Dona Ana County Commission approved establishing a regional spaceport district with Sierra County. Under the agreement already approved by Sierra County, each county will place two representatives on the spaceport tax district board, which will authorize NMSA to sell bonds based on the GRT revenue stream in support of Spaceport America’s construction costs.

Otero County will hold a public hearing and vote to put a 1/8th of 1% gross receipts tax increase on the November 4th general election ballot. If Otero County voters approve a gross receipts tax increase, that county will also get two seats on the spaceport tax district board.

Vertical Launches

Preparations continue for the launch of UP Aerospace vehicle SL-3. The launch date was scheduled for June 28, however, at the request of UP Aerospace a new launch date will be scheduled for a later date.

Update of Spaceport America Design and Construction Packages

The planning and design for the various components of Spaceport America are well underway. It is anticipated that some construction procurement packages for related works will be issued as early as September 2008. Construction will begin after the EIS/ROD process, with licensed operations scheduled to begin in late 2010 for horizontal flight and early 2009 for vertical launch. Costs are in-line with the budget and monitored monthly by DMJM Aviation. A summary of the packages is as follows:

On-site Infrastructure -Fourth Quarter, 2008 ---- NMSA will procure construction services for site grading, utilities (water and power distribution), roadwork, airfield paving, fencing, and fuel storage facilities for the entire Spaceport America site. Design is 95 per cent complete, and the Construction Procurement will be coordinated by NMSA with the support of the design team headed by DMJM Aviation, Molzen Corbin, and Dekker/Perich/Sabatini. This package will be segmented into logical smaller packages to support promote competition and the use of New Mexico contractors. These packages will include:

• Airfield – Runway, Taxiways, Apron
• Internal Roadways, including temporary construction roads
• Utility Systems, including Electrical, Water, Wastewater, and Underground Fiber Optics
• Fuel Storage Facility
• Fencing, including High Game, Chainlink, and Ranch Cattle work.

Systems Integration Package -First Quarter, 2009---NMSA will issue performance specifications for communications, security, and life safety systems for the selection of a Systems Integrator for the detailed design, construction, installation, and start-up for systems to be housed in the Fire Station and in the Terminal and Hangar facility at Spaceport America. Specifications are 95 per cent complete, and the Procurement will be coordinated by NMSA with the support of the systems design team, DMJM Aviation.

Terminal and Hangar Facility Package- First Quarter, 2009---- NMSA will procure construction services for the 103,000 square foot Terminal and Hangar Facilities that will house NMSA facilities as well as lease space for the tenant, Virgin Galactic. Design is 10 per cent complete. The procurement will be coordinated by NMSA with the support of the Terminal design team, URS Corporation, Fosters & Partners, and SMPC Architects.

Fire Station and Maintenance Facility - First Quarter, 2009--- NMSA will procure construction services for the 8,000 square foot fire station and maintenance facilities on-site at Spaceport America. An alternative design will be considered to reduce costs yet maintain functionality.

Off-site power- Third Quarter, 2009---Sierra Electric Co-op will procure construction and installation services for the off-site power distribution that will supply Spaceport America. Design is underway. Design and procurement will be coordinated by Sierra Electric Co-op in Elephant Butte, NM.

Negotiations continue with Virgin Galactic on Development Agreement and Facilities lease.
Progress continues on the Development Agreement and is expected to be signed in August. A draft lease has been created and initial lease discussions held.

EIS
Public hearings on the draft EIS took place Aug 5, in Alamogordo, August 6 in Truth or Consequences and August 7 in Las Cruces; The public comment period will close on August 18, 2008. The FAA must receive all comments prior to August 18. The FAA presented a schedule for Final EIS and Record of Decision by December 2008,

License
The NMSA Launch Site Operator License application was submitted to FAA on July 2, 2008 and is being reviewed by FAA. The site license is anticipated shortly after issuance of the Final EIS and Record of Decision in December 2008.

Community outreach activities continue.
Community outreach activities continued with regard to keeping the public informed on Spaceport progress and construction activity. To that end, meetings have continued to be held with business and community leaders. .
Thank you for your continued support of Spaceport America. The next newsletter update will be in early September for the August 2008 period. In the meantime, please contact me with any questions.

Lou Gomez
Program Manager
Spaceport America
New Mexico Spaceport Authority
505-521-3407