The United States space policy is shifting to change from government designed large and costly rockets to a multitude of cheaper and smaller commercial design rockets to achieve human transport to space in this decade. But where will all these newly designed FAA-approved orbital rockets be lofted to orbital space?
Today there are only three locations in the world that humans have been launched into space: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA, and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. It is expected that India will add another in this decade. Perhaps the European Space Agency will add human launch capability at the Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana too.
If the United States proceeds to privatize the nation's space program launching several commercial spacecraft vehicle types with humans aboard to low earth orbit, then it may be time for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, VA. to advance as a redundant human orbital spaceport. Wallops Island could provide a realistic expectation for the commercial launch industry to avoid many technical delays, inclement weather, and conflicting range priorities associated with Florida.
Today there are only three locations in the world that humans have been launched into space: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA, and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. It is expected that India will add another in this decade. Perhaps the European Space Agency will add human launch capability at the Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana too.
If the United States proceeds to privatize the nation's space program launching several commercial spacecraft vehicle types with humans aboard to low earth orbit, then it may be time for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, VA. to advance as a redundant human orbital spaceport. Wallops Island could provide a realistic expectation for the commercial launch industry to avoid many technical delays, inclement weather, and conflicting range priorities associated with Florida.
There are 26 spaceports in the world that have boosted satellites into orbit. Yet within the United States there is only Florida and Virginia with the inclination and capability to serve the International Space Station through 2020 and beyond. Virginia should fully engage the fledgling commercial and NASA crews to orbit opportunity.
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