Virginia to Boost Commercial Spaceport Budget $1.37 Mil Each of the Next 2-Years

Virginia's spaceport is on the move in 2010 with outgoing Governor Tim Kaine including $1.37 million in the next state budget [114 (K)] for each of two years to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) to operate the commercial launch facility.

The budget amendment, backed by Governor-elect Robert F. McDonnell during the 2009 statewide political campaign, became even more urgent when the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts released the 17-page 2009 audit of the VCSFA and looked to the future.

The 2010 General Assembly faced with significant budget cuts must act favorably on the request during the course of the winter. Virginia readers may opt to mention this budget line-item favorably to members of the state legislature.

Orbital Science Corporation of Dulles, Va. is expected to begin launching the new Taurus II booster from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Va. in the spring of 2011 to re-supply and ferry cargo to the International Space Station under contract with NASA.