Daniela Glick, Deputy Secretary EDD, has replaced Kelly as the Chairman effective immediately.  A big thanks to Kelly. Kelly has been a tremendous asset and Chairman for NMSA.  Kelly’s leadership has led us to this point and instrumental in making Spaceport America a reality for New Mexico.

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 the summer of 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:

Temporary Road Improvements -Third Quarter, 2008---- NMDOT will procure construction services for road and bridge work on approximately 8.5 miles of AO13, just south of Engle. Design and Construction is being coordinated by NMDOT. Bid openings are scheduled for July 18, 2008.

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.

Systems Integration Package -Fourth Quarter, 2008---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 - Fourth Quarter, 2008--- NMSA will procure construction services for the 8,000 square foot fire station and maintenance facilities on-site at Spaceport America. Design is 95 per cent complete, and the Procurement will be coordinated by NMSA with the support of the design team, DMJM Aviation

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 within the next 45 days. The Lease is in draft form and will be worked upon Development Agreement signing. Roll-out of White knight 2 is scheduled for July 28, 2008.
EIS
The draft EIS was posted on the FAA website on June 19. This starts the official review, comment and update cycle. The process includes stakeholder agency review followed by a public comment period, which will formally begin July 3rd, prior to the Final EIS being issued. Public hearings have been scheduled. The hearings will take place Aug 5, in Alamogordo, August 6 in Truth or Consequences and August 7 in Las Cruces; all comments must be received August 18. The anticipated date for the Final EIS and Record of Decision is Feb 2009; however, it could be as early as December 2008 assuming the process goes smoothly.

License
The current draft of the Launch Site Operator License application was submitted to FAA on June 22, 2008 and is being reviewed by FAA. The site license is anticipated shortly after issuance of the final EIS Record of Decision.

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 in Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Hatch and T or C. As reported earlier the Spaceport Tax vote was held April 22, 2008 for Sierra County. The voters of Sierra County approved an increase in local gross receipts tax to support the construction of Spaceport America. Sierra County now joins adjacent Doña Ana County in forming a Tax Development District (TDD) as required by the New Mexico State Legislature for the project to move forward. A proposed spaceport district make-up will be voted on at the next Dona Ana County Commission of July 22, 2008
Otero County Commissioners recently provided a letter of support to Spaceport America and agreed to put the GRT to a vote in the general election on November 8th, 2008 contingent on the passage of the GRT in Sierra County. Since then, the Otero County Commission conducted a hearing on the GRT vote and received public comment, but no decision was made. A decision to put on the ballot or not will be made at the August Otero County Commission meeting. NMSA has provided information to Otero County voters at various forums in Alamogordo.
Thank you for your continued support of Spaceport America. The next newsletter update will be for in early August for the July 2008 period. In the meantime, please contact me with any questions.

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