Tag Archive for 'UP Aerospace'

Lockheed Launches Spaceplane Prototype in NM; Spaceport America Predicts Launches in Q1 2009

Published
by
Doug
on August 13, 2008
in News, Uncategorized and space tourism
. 0 Comments

Lockheed Martin conducted another test flight of a winged space vehicle from Spaceport America on Tuesday, LiveScience’s Leonard David reports. A press release is reproduced below.

UPDATE: David reports that the prototype went out of control and was damaged to the point that it cannot be reused.

Spaceport America Press Release

LAS CRUCES, NM – New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials announced a successful launch of a test flight vehicle for Lockheed Martin by UP Aerospace from Spaceport America on Tuesday, August 12. The brief test flight was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of Lockheed Martin, who is testing proprietary advanced launch technologies.

“Today’s launch successfully lifted off at 7 a.m. local time at the beginning of our three-hour launch window. We are very pleased to be a small business partner with Lockheed Martin on their research and development technology programs by supplying low-cost, fast turnaround launch operation,“ said UP Aerospace President Jerry Larson. Today’s launch represents additional progress for Lockheed Martin, which did preliminary launch testing at the Spaceport in December 2007.

The latest launch represents yet another successful experience at Spaceport America, the nation’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. “We are extremely pleased to host another launch by UP Aerospace, which continues to set the precedent for safe, practical commercial spaceflight at Spaceport America,” said NMSA Executive Director Steve Landeene. “The aerospace community increasingly understands the benefits offered by Spaceport America.”

Spaceport America is the nation’s first purpose-built commercial space facility. Spaceport America holds great promise for New Mexico’s economic future, and has been working closely with leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, UP Aerospace, Virgin Galactic, Microgravity Enterprises and Payload Specialties. With planning moving along rapidly, the NMSA currently projects that licensed vertical launches can begin in the first quarter of 2009 and that the terminal and hangar facility for horizontal launches should be completed by 2010.

Lockheed Martin Flies Winged Prototype Space Vehicle from New Mexico

Published
by
Doug
on April 17, 2008
in News
. 0 Comments

Bob Martin of KRQE TV has some really interesting photos of a winged prototype space vehicle that Lockheed Martin launched from Spaceport America in New Mexico in December.

“It looks a bit like the space shuttle and would fly to space and return the same way. But even the big version would not carry people, just satellites,” Martin reports. “The goal is to get to orbit faster and cheaper thanks to an automated reusable spacecraft run by its own computers and just a handful of people for a launch crew.”

The one-fifth scale model was launched on a rocket by UP Aerospace. Both UP and Lockheed Martin agreed to continue using the spaceport, which state officials want to upgrade to support space tourism flights by Virgin Galactic.

Lockheed Martin Commits to Using Spaceport America

Published
by
Doug
on April 15, 2008
in News
. 0 Comments

Lockheed Martin has signed a memorandum of understanding to continue using Spaceport America for testing launch technologies. The agreement is the third agreement in the last two weeks between commercial companies and the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. One of those companies, UP Aerospace, launched a suborbital rocket from the spaceport containing proprietary technology developed by Lockheed Martin

“Having this relationship with Lockheed Martin validates the concept behind commercial space activity, and proves that Spaceport America can deliver on the promise of lower-cost, quicker-turnaround launch activity,” said Spaceport Authority Executive Director Steve Landeene. “More and more companies are expressing commitments to the state, wanting to make Spaceport America a key part of their future plans.

The announcement comes one week before a crucial vote in Sierra County. The state is asking residents to support a .25-cent increase in the sales tax to underwrite full construction of the spaceport to support rocket launches and space tourism flights.

Spaceport America Signs Up Another Company Ahead of Crucial Vote

Published
by
admin
on April 12, 2008
in News
. 0 Comments

The flurry of activity surrounding Spaceport America continued this week as an Albuquerque company agreed to continue using New Mexico’s rocket base.

Microgravity Enterprises Incorporated signed a memorandum of understanding with the spaceport. The company produces energy drinks and other products from ingredients flown on suborbital rockets.

Earlier in the week, the company’s rocket provider, UP Aerospace of Colorado, agreed to continue using the facility for another 10 years. In recent weeks, the New Mexico Space Authority gave its executive director authority to begin negotiations with space tourism provider Virgin Galactic. Governor Bill Richardson also traveled to Washington, DC, where he sought support from the federal government.

All this activity comes on the eve of a crucial April 22 vote by residents of Sierra County over whether to raise the county sales tax by .25 cents to help pay for construction of an upgraded spaceport capable of handling tourism flights. The vote is expected to be close.

UP Aerospace agrees to 10-year deal with New Mexico site

Published
by
Doug
on April 9, 2008
in News
. 0 Comments

The AP is reporting that UP Aerospace has agreed to launch rockets from Spaceport America in New Mexico for the next 10 years. The Colorado-based company has previously launched two rockets from the desert facility.

The memorandum of understanding, described as a handshake deal, represents the first long-term agreement for the nascent spaceport. New Mexico is planning to develop the facility near Truth or Consequences to accommodate suborbital tourism flights. State officials are negotiating a 20-year agreement with London-based Virgin Galactic.