Transmission & Distribution
Co-op Powers New Mexico Spaceport
New Mexico’s goal of becoming the hub for space tourism and a leading center for commercial space travel is getting a little closer, with the help of an electric cooperative.
The new Spaceport America hanger backdrops the White Knight II ferry aircraft, before runway and terminal dedication ceremonies. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Sierra Electric Cooperative recently energized a dedicated line to serve Spaceport America, a state-owned commercial spaceport near the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range.
“We energized the line Oct. 20, and the facility has been drawing power from us since then,” said Jimmy Capps, CEO and general manager of the Elephant Butte-based co-op. “We started working on this project five years ago with preliminary engineering studies, and completed construction of the dedicated line several weeks ago.”
The state paid for a new substation and a distribution line consisting of five miles of overhead conductor and a mile of underground line to serve the 18,000-acre site.
The terminal hangar facility was recently renamed the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space during an Oct. 17 ceremony, hosted by Gov. Susana Martinez and Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson. More than 800 people attended.
Construction on the 120,000-square-foot main terminal-hangar is expected to be completed this year. The complex includes facilities for five suborbital rocket planes configured to carry passengers, two launch aircraft, an astronaut preparation center and mission control.
The $209 million complex is considered a major economic development project for the Las Cruces/Truth or Consequences area.
“Besides construction jobs, it’s already starting to generate security jobs and other opportunities,” said Capps. “We’ve been contacted about providing power for a bonded warehouse and some security training facilities.”
Virgin Galactic could begin suborbital excursions from the site sometime in 2013, David Mackay, the company’s chief pilot, recently told The Wall Street Journal.
“If you are paying $200,000 for a suborbital space flight, you are not going to want to stay in a budget motel the night before,” said Capps. “Promoters are really interested in making visits to the area a total resort package experience.”
State economists have estimated that each space tourist may bring along as many as 15 guests, said Capps, adding that could bring thousands of tourists into the area each year.
“The co-op is an active supporter of the projects,” said Capps. “Much of the area near the Spaceport America site lacks three-phase power, so any new resorts or industrial facilities will likely require line extension and construction services from the co-op.”