NASA signs on for spaceport partnership at Ellington ! (Houston, Galveston: 2015, cost)

[Jack Lance]

How about some positive news for the Houston area

NASA is officially providing its expertise and credibility to the commercial spaceport being developed at Ellington Airport, a development local officials say gives Houston a competitive edge in the commercial space race.

This agreement means great efficiency and safety at the Houston Spaceport," said Lance Lyttle, chief operating officer for the airport system. "The partnership means that we are maximizing our chances of succeeding."

NASA signs on for spaceport partnership - Houston Chronicle

[huma281]

That's awesome. I would like it if the government spent more money in technology, like Nasa vs what they're doing now.

[PedroMartinez]

I'll tell you what, when I take my next trip to space, it's going to be tough figuring out which space port I'll depart. They seem to be springing up everywhere.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spaceports

BTW, currently which spaceport has the best last minute trips?

[DanielWayne]

Commercial space is the next big thing. Like the article said, Houston has a competitive edge since the spaceport is just minutes from JSC.

I hate flying, but if I could get from Houston to London in an hour, then I may be able to tolerate it

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I'll tell you what, when I take my next trip to space, it's going to be tough figuring out which space port I'll depart. They seem to be springing up everywhere.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spaceports

BTW, currently which spaceport has the best last minute trips?

Pedro why so cynical ? The foundations for commercial spaceflight are just now being laid. Utilizing space would seem to be the next logical step in mankinds progress, don't you think ?

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

Commercial space is the next big thing. Like the article said, Houston has a competitive edge since the spaceport is just minutes from JSC.

I hate flying, but if I could get from Houston to London in an hour, then I may be able to tolerate it

Yes flying above the atmosphere will allow for much faster speeds not to mention no sonic booms to deal with.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

Pedro why so cynical ? The foundations for commercial spaceflight are just now being laid. Utilizing space would seem to be the next logical step in mankinds progress, don't you think ?

My guess is that we are at least 40 to 50 years away from any significant space tourism and at least 20 to 30 years away from passenger planes leaving our atmosphere (at least more than a handful). IMHO, putting together infrastructure for that in the near future is a waste of money. I think it makes as much sense as building submarine tourism ports in Galveston.

The only spaceports worth considering are those that will be used for lifting payloads into orbit and the odd one-off space tourism outfits; however, those will not be located close to dense population centers.

[Oildog]

Originally Posted by huma281

That's awesome. I would like it if the government spent more money in technology, like Nasa vs what they're doing now.

Agreed. Too bad funding is cut for advancement in science & medicine in order to fund many social programs that resulted from irresponsible behaviors.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Agreed. Too bad funding is cut for advancement in science & medicine in order to fund many social programs that resulted from irresponsible behaviors.

Perhaps if they spent more on science and technology more people would have an occupation that would divert their attentions from irresponsible behaviors ?

[ethanw]

Maybe not. Look what Elon Musk done in 10 years, about what NASA done in 50. I think we're 10 years away from space tourism as well as commercial space transportation. Think space mining :-)

At $27 Billion, Mining in Space Could Cost Less Than a Gas Plant - Bloomberg Business

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

My guess is that we are at least 40 to 50 years away from any significant space tourism and at least 20 to 30 years away from passenger planes leaving our atmosphere (at least more than a handful). IMHO, putting together infrastructure for that in the near future is a waste of money. I think it makes as much sense as building submarine tourism ports in Galveston.

The only spaceports worth considering are those that will be used for lifting payloads into orbit and the odd one-off space tourism outfits; however, those will not be located close to dense population centers.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by ethanw

Maybe not. Look what Elon Musk done in 10 years, about what NASA done in 50. I think we're 10 years away from space tourism as well as commercial space transportation. Think space mining :-)

At $27 Billion, Mining in Space Could Cost Less Than a Gas Plant - Bloomberg Business

Elon Musk had the advantage that somebody else had already done what he has done. NASA pioneered low Earth orbit in the mid 1960's for instance. I think private space companies are taking advantage of technologies others have developed while at the same time making unrealistic claims of what future potential achievements are obtainable. I doubt Space X will ever get us to Mars for instance as Elon Musk claims. I think all these claims are doing is distracting our national focus and delaying the timeline for these events to happen.

Private Space companies are putting satellites into orbit and resupplying the ISS with provisions and perhaps one day Astronauts and that is great, but the technology was pioneered for these task decades ago. The real long haul Space program of the US (deep space exploration) is under the auspices of NASA and that is where most of our technological advancements IMO are going to take place. These advancements will be developed not only at Centers like the JSC but hopefully at locations like the Ellington Spaceport as well.