Why Isn't SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, or Intuitive Machines Using Spaceport America in New Mexico?

New Mexico's Spaceport America is designed to cater to a specific niche: Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic. This spaceport is uniquely suited for suborbital flights, where its runway landing feature and impressive facilities can host launch parties for wealthy tourists. However, it falls short in terms of being a viable launch site for more traditional orbital launches.

Design and Purpose of Spaceport America

Spaceport America is purpose-built for a single customer - Virgin Galactic. The site offers a runway landing facility for its suborbital rocket planes, which take off and land like conventional aircraft. While this feature makes it ideal for suborbital tourism, it lacks the necessary infrastructure for orbital launches. Orbital launches require clear airspace, often over water or uninhabited land, to handle the debris.

Orbital Launch Companies and Their Needs

Orbital launch companies such as SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), Blue Origin, and Intuitive Machines have different launch requirements. These companies operate on various models, including vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTOL) rockets, which are unsuited for the runway-based launchpad at Spaceport America.

For instance, Blue Origin conducts its launches from a vast ranch in Texas, utilizing a reusable vertical rocket that lands via parachute. This method is more aligned with a site that supports vertical launches rather than runway-based operations. SpaceX and ULA also have their own unique infrastructure and facilities, making the Spaceport in New Mexico less relevant for their operations.

Factors Influencing Launch Locations

The choice of a launch site is heavily influenced by several factors, including geographic features, regulatory requirements, and logistical advantages. Launch sites near large bodies of water, such as the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean, are preferred for orbital launches. This is because the rockets typically follow a trajectory away from populated areas, ensuring that any debris does not fall on inhabited regions.

Additionally, launching closer to the equator and to the east is advantageous due to the Earth's rotation. This inherent speed assists the rocket in reaching orbital velocity faster, making the launch more efficient. Launching from New Mexico's Spaceport America, however, is less favorable due to its geographical constraints and lack of suitable launch corridors.

Challenges of Launching from New Mexico

New Mexico faces significant challenges when it comes to orbital launches. While the state's land is cheaper, the lack of an appropriate launch corridor makes it a less attractive option. For orbital launches, a massive down-range area is required to ensure safety. The Spaceport America provides a limited 50 to 75 miles of safety zone, which is insufficient for orbital launches requiring a cone over 1000 miles long by 250 miles wide.

Furthermore, the absence of a suitable body of water to the east and the presence of populated areas complicates matters. If a launch fails, the potential for damage or injury is a major liability concern. These factors have led to the spaceport being less appealing for large-scale orbital launches.

Future Prospects and Limitations

The current state of Spaceport America in New Mexico is largely determined by its niche customer base and the specific requirements of suborbital tourism. It may find limited use in small-scale experimental launches and testing of vehicles, but it is unlikely to attract major orbital launch operators.

Efforts to make spaceport more appealing could involve expanding the launch corridor and strengthening safety protocols. However, such changes would require significant investment and time, making it an uncertain prospect for large-scale orbital operations.

In conclusion, the limitations of New Mexico's Spaceport America, particularly its lack of appropriate launch corridors and limited safety zones, make it less suitable for the demands of major orbital launch companies. The site remains a specialized space tourism facility rather than a general-purpose orbital launch site.