I apologize for my absence from these pages last week. I am dealing with a family medical emergency and will likely be unable to contribute again next week. Here are headlines and the underlying links to recent stories of significance that I would have properly posted had I been able. The New York Times reports are shared here on a gifted-access basis; sorry if the links don’t get you past the NYT paywall.
“Bill to end gag on ethics complainants clears committee”
NM Political Report, February 25, 2023
“California Wants to Keep (Most of) the Colorado River for Itself”
New York Times, February 23, 2023
“Feral Cattle in New Mexico Will Be Shot From Helicopters”
New York Times, February 22, 2023
“New Mexico Spaceport Authority Plans New Building at Spaceport America”
Parabolic Arc, February 21, 2023
“New Mexico Water Rights Remain Fightin’ Words”
Santa Fe New Mexican, reposted in the Los Alamos Post, February 20, 2023
“President Biden Announces Xochitl Torres Small as Nominee for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture”
The White House Briefing Room, February 15, 2023
Thank you SO much for these articles Diana.
Regarding the removal of feral cattle from the Gila. Arizona has just implemented a carcass removal program to reduce depredations on livestock.
https://www.azgfd.com/carcass-removal-program-aims-to-reduce-mexican-wolf-depredations-on-livestock/
NM would do well to follow suit especially when a feral cattle removal project, if successful, will result in a predator banquet.
Spaceport America is purpose-built, but even after spending hundreds of million dollars of taxpayer money, apparently the Spaceport does not yet have quite enough of the amenities needed to lure in those big league, paying, launch companies to be tenants.
Spaceport America has decided to build an annex called the Space Technology and Reception Center. The new 30,000 square foot building went out for bid as a “request for proposal” or RFP on February 9 to accomplish two phases of the design-build contract. At a square foot price of $607 (one estimate for western mid-rise, high end buildings), the new STARC building would cost about $18 million. The source for the money to pay for the new building is not identified. Since the Spaceport is a State-owned facility and it has never made a profit to pay for a new building, taxpayer dollars is a likely source for the money.
Given the remote location of the facility, the extraordinary design, and recent inflation, an ultimate cost approaching $25 to 30 million might be a better guess. And of course, New Mexico taxpayers will have to pay for the day to day maintenance and utility costs for the facility – so there will also be a long term commitment to operate the building.
The purpose of the multi-story and multi-purpose building is quoted from the RFP within the Parabolic Arc story. It will have viewing and lounge areas on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Rarely has the public been allowed to view any of the launch events at the Spaceport live, in-person, and onsite. So, the viewing lounges must be for invitees, not paying spectators, even though the Spaceport seems to be moving toward more and more events. Last year, high-speed cars used the facility. And a high-speed blind motorcyclist made history. And while educational, most of the rocket events have used small-scale rockets that do not go to space.
In Loretta Hall’s 2010 book, Out of this World: New Mexico’s Contributions to the Space Travel (page 152), she describes a market analysis by Zogby International for space tourism made in approximately 2002. Zogby’s worldwide analysis assumed the ticket price for a space tourist would start at around $100,000 for the first 5 years and slowly decrease to $50,000 per space ride by the 15th year (~2017) when almost 16,000 people would be flying to space.
Blue Origin located in West Texas has flown at least 31 people (“tourists” and crew) in the last year or so. And some people have paid high prices to go to the International Space Station. However, no tourists have flown to suborbital space in New Mexico where Virgin Galactic has been selling tickets for about $450,000 for a 90 minute trip.
As the article says, revenues of $750 million and over 3000 jobs were promised by 2020. I believe the mounting costs for the Spaceport itself are now approaching an estimated $1/2 billion.
In a story about SpinLaunch (a major tenant of the Spaceport) from December 2020, former chair of the Spaceport Board and current Cabinet Secretary for Economic Development, Alicia J. Keyes, said:”SpinLaunch is part of the growing community of businesses creating jobs and innovating new technologies at New Mexico’s Spaceport America,”…. “We see the state’s space cluster as an important economic driver to diversify the economy with higher-paying jobs in Southern New Mexico.
krwg.org spinlaunch expansion story – https://www.krwg.org/regional/2020-12-15/spinlaunch-plans-major-expansion-at-spaceport-america
A regional economic benefit of $239 million over 10 years was promised.
In the same story, Sierra County Manager Bruce Swingle said Spinlaunch, who was to receive a phased $4 million LEDA grant, would “create 59 new jobs in the region, at an average salary of $72,322. In a rural community, these high-paying jobs will have an immediate impact and significantly boost our economy. High-paying jobs mean more revenue for our schools, hospital, and infrastructure.”
Last year, less than 2 years in, SpinLaunch completed scale model tests and announced they will be moving their full scale operation to an unnamed place next to an ocean. Vertical launches to space are most often conducted next to an ocean.
Bruce Swingle left the County to become City Manager for Truth or Consequences (T or C). A couple of months ago, he announced his resignation. The Parabolic Arc story tells the problems happening with water lines in T or C. No word on how many of the 59 jobs actually came to Sierra County. Sierra County remains one of the poorest counties in New Mexico.
Ever since Las Cruces managed to get a direct paved southern access to the Spaceport from Las Cruces & Dona Ana County, it would seem the ability to land many of the high-paying jobs in Sierra County has been diminished. Local infrastructure problems with water and electricity are probably not making T or C an attractive place to want to live.
Virgin Galactic is “13-14 years behind schedule”, but flights in New Mexico are supposed to occur this year. Taxpayers in New Mexico are used to waiting; so we must just sit back and watch to see when the hundreds of space tourists will arrive. Watch from a distance, of course.
The funding for the STARC building, that is, the new 30,000 sq. ft. building, is being funded with state capital outlay money. HB349, 2020, the legislature awarded $10 million. I’m not sure if more has been awarded since then. https://sierracountysun.org/economy/spaceport-authority-board-approves-20-million-in-urgently-required-critical-infrastructure-developments-despite-spaceports-lack-of-a-strategic-business-plan/