Spaceport America Opens for Tourism

New Mexico's Spaceport America is now open for tourism. Visitors to Spaceport America will be able to take a three hour tour of the spaceport, which is designed to be a launching ground for future commercial spaceflights.

During the tours, which began taking place on May 13, 2001, tourists are given the opportunity to see the spaceport and enjoy scenic views of New Mexico. They will also be provided with information about the history of transportation in the American Southwest, going back to the time of the Conquistadores.

Tours of Spaceport America will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tours will be given twice on Friday and Saturday and once on Sunday.

Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's Space Tourism Company, plans to launch commercial flights for space tourists from Spaceport America.

It is predicted that by 2020, Spaceport America will have created more than 5,000 jobs and created more than $1 billion in revenue.