Spaceport America: Will the Sales Tax Pass

Spaceport America is to be built in southern New Mexico 30 mile east of T or C. Where tourists could be launch into space for a fee of 200,000 per passenger. The first of its kind anywhere in the world. It is expected to cost $225 million dollars to build. Sir Richard Branson is a big part of spaceport America, if not for him I don't think it would even be an idea. I believe he is using his own money to help fund the spaceport. It is a business venture for him since he will have his suborbital spaceliners flying under the Virgin Galactic flag. They want to be launching regularly scheduled flights to space by 2010.

A big down side to it is that the state of New Mexico is paying for a lot of the constructions cost, and on April 03 2007 Dona Ana County New Mexico is set to vote on a one-quarter percent sales tax that will fund Spaceport America. I don't understand why just Dona Ana county? The whole state will benefit more then just las cruses will. It is supposed to bring jobs to the county. But last I checked there wasn't a lot of rocket scientist around here. Or any one for that matter with that would be qualified to work at the spaceport. I don't think any one living in that region could even afford 200,000.00 for a trip. And isn't that was spaceport is all about, making space travel affordable. I, like many people like I idea of it, but wonder if it will be successful. I like that New Mexico will have something to be proud of, assuming it is a success. Even the idea of the spaceport has already brought something new to New Mexico. Rocket racing, I-10 between Deming and las cruses there are billboards proclaiming it's new home. I have even heard that they might make a NASCAR track somewhere around here, but I do not know how true that is. It would be cool.

I just wonder what will happen if it doesn't take off (pun intended)? How much money will be lost? Dose the state have a back up plan. The first launch was a failure; the rocket they launched wasn't the kind that people will travel in. It had some mans ashes in it and I think some other stuff people paid to have shot into space. That is cool to have your ashes sent into space. Too bad he ended up scattered across the desert.

Before the vote, the people building it announced that the cost of the spaceport has gone down to $198 Million. Hoping that the lower price will entice voters to approve the sale tax.

We will have to wait and see what happens.

The million dollar Spaceport is scheduled to open in late 2009 or early 20