SPACEX, the California-based commercial space exploration firm, has signed a three-year lease at SPACEPORT AMERICA at Upham, New Mexico for land and facilities to test its reusable rocket program, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said Tuesday, May 7, 2013. SpaceX has recently completed the first series of low-altitude tests of its "Grasshopper" vehicle in Texas and will now test the vehicle in southern New Mexico, Martinez said in a news release. The move confirms big plans for the test bed. Flights to date have been conducted at SpaceX's engine test site in McGregor, Texas. SpaceX received a waiver from the FAA to fly Grasshopper up to 11,500ft from McGregor, but Spaceport America is an FAA-certified spaceport where no where no waivers are required, noted "FLIGHTGLOBAL". White Sands Missile Range"I AM THRILLED THAT SPACEX HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE NEW MEXICO ITS HOME, BRINGING THEIR REVOLUTIONARY GRASSHOPPER ROCKET AND JOBS WITH THEM," Martinez said. "THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN BROADENING THE BASE OUT AT THE SPACEPORT AND SECURING EVEN MORE TENANTS." SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said the spaceport, "OFFERS US THE PHYSICAL AND REGULATORY LANDSCAPE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE NEXT PHASE OF GRASSHOPPER TESTING. WE ARE PLEASED TO EXPAND OUR REUSABLE ROCKET DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE TO NEW MEXICO." SpaceX engineers say the Grasshopper technology represents revolutionary reusable rocket technology that allows a rocket to return to the launch pad intact for a vertical landing instead in burning up upon reentry in the Earth's atmosphere.SpaceX is one of the leading developers of rockets and spacecraft and is one of the companies the New Mexico Spaceflight Authority has been trying to recruit to New Mexico.Spaceport America Executive Director Christine Anderson says the "Grasshopper" project is moving from McGregor, Texas, to New Mexico because the rocket needs to be tested at higher altitudes.Meanwhile, SpaceX continues forward with the concept of building the nation's first commercial orbital spaceport, with Texas, Florida and Georgia going full-throttle seeking the new business venture, reports JAMES DEAN AT "FLORIDATODAY".
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