Parabolic Arc

Jeff Foust of SpacePolitics.com reports that both Virginia and Hawaii advanced legislation this week to encourage commercial space ventures to locate in their states.

Virginia Governor Tom Kaine signed “zero-g, zero tax” legislation that:

“Grants an income tax exemption for income resulting from the sale of launch services to space flight participants or launch services intended to provide individuals the training or experience of a launch, without performing an actual launch. The bill also grants an income tax exemption for any gain recognized as a result of resupply services contracts for delivering payload entered into with the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services division of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or other space flight entity.”

Meanwhile, the Hawaii House of Representatives approved a bill
that appropriates funding for costs associated with seeking a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Hawaii is attempting to lure commercial space operators to establish facilities in the state.