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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

1st New Mexico Spaceport Launch

The countdown is on for the first rocket flight out of New Mexico’s Spaceport America – an area outside Las Cruces.

The blastoff of the UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL — an unpiloted suborbital rocket — is September 25. For you early risers, the liftoff clock should read 7:30 a.m.

In a New Mexico Economic Development Department release, be advised that access to the launch site and surrounding areas will be prohibited starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday September 24, at which time law enforcement will erect roadblocks at all access points. These roadblocks will be continuously policed.

The only designated public viewing and parking area will be along Highway 51. All spectators at this site assume their own risk and liability. While the liftoff is set for early morning, the flight could be delayed by as much as 10 hours or be postponed to a later date.

If any person or vehicle enters the hazardous zone on September 25, the launch will be canceled and the trespasser will be held liable, the advisory warns.

Spectators are urged to bring their own water, snacks, sunscreen, hats, chairs and blankets, as it could be a long day.


Source: www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/09/21/countdown-go-1st-new-mexico-spaceport-launch/

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www.space.com/news/060831_xprize_upaero.html

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This is quite exciting, as the era of private spaceflight is starting to become a reality...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Space XL Fails To Reach Sub-Orbital Space

Las Cruces NM (SPX) Sep 27, 2006
The first launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico has failed to reach sub-orbital space and landed in the desert. The Space XL rocket, launched by Connecticut's UP Aerospace, lifted off at 2:14 p.m. Monday but only made it to an altitude of 40,000 ft before coming back down to Earth several miles from the planned landing site, the Las Cruces (N.M.) Sun News reported Tuesday.

The rocket reportedly corkscrewed only seconds after the launch, and disappeared from sight while trailing a line of smoke. Lonnie Sumpter, launch director and executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, at that point announced that the rocket had encountered "an anomaly," the Sun News said.

However, the company described the experience a success.

Source: www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_XL_Fails_To_Reach_Sub_Orbital_Space_999.html

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I wonder how far down range it came down.

Rough start, but let's hope for a better 2nd launch soon.