Ellington Spaceport News

September 4, 2013

The Houston Airport System has publicly released conceptual drawings of the proposed Ellington Spaceport. The designs & drawings capture various likely elements of the space port project, including a terminal building, aviation museum, and facilities for aerospace industries.

The design studies were released as the City of Houston prepares to host the annual Commercial Space Federation.  the CSF is a group of over 40 business leaders and entrepeneurs directly involved in the evolution of commercial spaceflight.

"This is a new and exciting sector of the 21st Century economy that carries amazing potential for growth," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "We believe a licensed Spaceport in Houston would not only serve as an economic generator for the city but it would also enhance Houston's well-deserved reputation as a leader and key player in the aerospace industry."

On July 17, 2013, Houston City Council members voiced their overwhelming support for pursuing Spaceport licensing at Ellington Airport. If the required  federal licensing can be secured, the Houston Airport System (HAS) would move forward to establish infrastructure and support facilities for the Spaceport project.  The project would presumably require support facilities from enterprises in the fields of component and composite fabrication, space vehicle assembly, launching of micro-satellites, Astronaut training, zero gravity experimentation and space tourism.

"It's important to realize that this type of work is already taking place today," said Houston Aviation Director Mario C. Diaz. "This is not a conversation based on science fiction or futuristic projections. This is a conversation about how Houston can access and enhance an industry that is already well-established and growing exponentially."

Many of the key players within this industry are currently gathering in Houston, as members of the Commercial Space Federation (CSF) conduct their annual meeting in the Clear Lake Area, near the Johnson Space Center. The timely visit is giving CSF members an upclose view of many of the selling points Houston has to offer as a potential Spaceport location, such as a booming economy with a strong aerospace industrial base, a welleducated workforce with experience in the high-tech demands of space exploration and plenty of room for growth at a strategically located airport facility. Situated near the Gulf of Mexico, and featuring ample available space for development, Ellington Airport seems tailor-made for the requirements that are associated with an operating licensed Spaceport. Public is offered a preview of proposed Ellington Airport facility as Commercial Space Federation gathers in Houston for annual meeting

"It is gratifying to see Houston emerge as the latest applicant to join the growing network of spaceports across the country," said Michael Lopez-Alegria, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. " The area has many attributes that appeal to commercial space entities, including geographical location that allows easy access to offshore airspace, a strong and diverse economy that provides an educated and skilled workforce, and of course a long tradition of close association with human spaceflight."

The launches being proposed for Ellington Airport would involve Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV's) executing horizontal, rather than vertical, take-offs, departing in a fashion similar to commercial aircraft.

Since receiving City Council approval to move forward with the Spaceport initiative, the Houston Airport System has been working through the countless details associated with such a sizeable project. The unveiling of the renderings and the overall marketing look associated with the Spaceport effort, is intended to update residents across Texas on the HAS effort to establish Houston as a key player within the commercial spaceflight industry.

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