---
title: "Spaceport America – Perhaps The Nation’s Most Controversial Spaceport"
id: 4789
type: "post"
slug: "spaceport-america-perhaps-the-nations-most-controversial-spaceport"
author: "NSE"
published: "2023-05-16T10:41:31+00:00"
modified: "2023-11-11T06:12:26+00:00"
canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/16/spaceport-america-perhaps-the-nations-most-controversial-spaceport/"
markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/16/spaceport-america-perhaps-the-nations-most-controversial-spaceport.md"
description: "That was how the report \"Commercial Spaceports Still Waiting For Liftoff\" characterized Spaceport America in 2018; and judging by the media coverage…"
language: "en-US"
category:
  - "Space Economy"
post_tag:
  - "Government"
  - "Space Companies"
  - "Virgin Galactic"
---

# Spaceport America – Perhaps The Nation’s Most Controversial Spaceport

That was how the report “[Commercial Spaceports Still Waiting For Liftoff”](https://lnkd.in/dcfN7MJG%29) characterized [Spaceport America](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrhurley/recent-activity/shares/#) in 2018; and judging by the media coverage, [Spaceport America](https://spaceportamerica.com/) continues to live up to that characterization.

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-4386442.jpg?resize=696%2C464&ssl=1)

[Spaceport America](https://lnkd.in/dfkacKri) in New Mexico is the world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport. The spaceport is [licensed](https://lnkd.in/dJy3kJ-R) by the FAA for horizontal and vertical launches.

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/img_1801.jpg?resize=696%2C487&ssl=1)

The spaceport was built and is operated by the New Mexico state government. Virgin Galactic is the anchor tenant. The facility [cost the state government](https://lnkd.in/dNX-chJh) over $220 million. [Spaceport America](https://spaceportamerica.com/) currently [operates at a loss](https://lnkd.in/dYpHBCNj) with rental and user fees only covering 60% of the costs to operate and maintain. The budget shortfall [is paid for](https://lnkd.in/d68aWuFN) by the New Mexico state government.

Unfortunately, [Spaceport America](https://spaceportamerica.com/) has all the makings of a [White Elephant](https://lnkd.in/dT5XmBJ8).

The spaceport has been controversial since the beginning. The contentious issues include:

- the amount of tax money invested,
- ongoing operations and maintenance deficits financed by the government,
- critical dependency upon the success of [Virgin Galactic](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrhurley/recent-activity/shares/#),
- lack of transparency,
- lack of oversight, and
- fraud.

Some examples of the media coverage follow…

[New Mexico’s Sad Bet On Space Exploration](https://lnkd.in/dPVX5Ef8)

[Spaceport America: New Mexico’s Protracted Gamble On Space Flight](https://lnkd.in/de_EiEHH)

[New Mexico Considering Legislation To Sell Spaceport America](https://bit.ly/3s2MbEc)

[Spaceport America Spending Criticized](https://lnkd.in/dBRa9Qqb)

[Sierra County Commissioners Have Blocked Spaceport Tax Board From Exercising Fiscal Oversight For Years](https://lnkd.in/duYVyJzg)

[Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic: The Numbers Never Added Up](https://lnkd.in/dt_4PWHw)

[Transparency Problems Plague Spaceport America](https://lnkd.in/dbHtf4gK)

[Former New Mexico spaceport CFO alleges fraud](https://lnkd.in/dUjTsC9H)

[Audit Report Details – New Mexico Spaceport Authority 2020](https://lnkd.in/dhVDQHGP)

[Report Concludes Former Spaceport America Director Violated State Laws](https://lnkd.in/dsFJfgzm)

[Former Spaceport CFO Files $200 Million Lawsuit Against State](https://lnkd.in/d_gZa-Y4)

[Virgin Galactic’s Struggles Raise Questions About New Mexico Spaceport’s Future](https://lnkd.in/dQfzub3Z)