Ready for liftoff
Spaceport America prepares visitors for the exciting possibilities that lay outside the Earth’s atmosphere
Somehow it makes sense that the state known for perhaps the most curious of potential otherworldly encounters also was the first to turn to space when it comes to creating an otherworldly industry.
But Spaceport America is not some pie-in-the-sky dream of an enterprise for companies seeking to exploit the riches beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
It’s a place where real, cutting-edge science hits pay dirt and eventually the heavens.
What’s more, the complex rising amid the desert sands of southern New Mexico has become a destination spot settled on 18,000 acres next to the Army’s White Sands Missile Range.
With the inclusion of Final Frontier Tours, which took over the tour operation in December, Spaceport America (spacesportamericatour.com) is looking to educate, enthrall and entice visitors about the potential of future space travel, said Rosa Bañuelos, Spaceport America business development manager.
“We just don’t highlight Spaceport America but also highlight our state and how beautiful is it,” she said of the approximately four-hour excursion that starts and ends at the visitors center in Truth or Consequences. “One of our main pillars is STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) outreach and inspiring the next generation. We want to inspire the next generations, the kids who are coming after us.”
But even adults will enjoy the sights of Spaceport America, Bañuelos said.
“We have a lot of happy campers when they come on this tour,” she said.
The visitors center will be undergoing an upgrade with new, exciting exhibits that should be ready by the middle of summer. Bañuelos said.
“We’re going to change up a couple of things with updates to the visitors center, and another big update, adding different infrastructure to the visitors center in TorC,” she said.
The center already is packed with educational and interactive space exhibits, including the nose cone of a rocket with buttons situated at the perfect height for youngsters to push as they imagine their takeoff.
One of the displays features a video of a rocket launch that can be paused and backed up to get a feel for the immense power involved.
The 40-minute bus ride to Spaceport America from TorC offers an opportunity for visitors to view educational videos outlining such topics as New Mexico’s role in space exploration, as well as the state’s participation in the movie industry as it pertains to space-related themes.
The trip through Spaceport America itself begins by passing the 40-foot metal sculpture “Genesis,” by artist Otto Rigan, who was selected from more than 200 artists. Embedded with pieces of glass, the structure sparkles in the gleaming sun.
Visitors then stroll up the “Astronaut’s Walk” into the facility to explore the various exhibits and check out the interactive displays and game consoles.
Most of the games are connected with STEM learning, teasing and testing the minds of visitors.
There’s also a display of prehistoric artifacts that were uncovered during the construction of the facility.
The most popular of the activities is the space window that peers down in the hangar to a replica of Spaceship One.
“That’s really neat to see,” Bañuelos said. “Visitors love that.”
And the stomach-churning G-Shock Trainer can rival just about any whirligig ride.
“Two individuals strap in, and it gives them a real twist,” she said. “You can feel up to three G-shocks. It’s not one of my favorites, because I have a weak stomach, but the kids love it. Older people love it, too.”
A visit to the endless runway as well as a trip to the fire and rescue unit that is prepared to react to most any emergency completes the visit.
“The tour is a little different every day,” Bañuelos said. “Things constantly change. The space industry is constantly changing.”