Dreams of Space under Arizona's Skies |
"Last week, members of the Arizona Space Commission
and the Arizona
Department of Commerce held key meetings in Washington D.C. to solidify
the state as a top contender in the race for a spaceport - an
airport-like site that launches spacecraft."
-The Business Journal, October 13, 2000. Page 1.
With about 255 days per year of good flying weather, fifty square miles
held in reserve for spaceport development; and five alternate sites in
Arizona already identified, there may be a Star Trek future for the sons
and daughters of cactus.
A council of prominent politicians, lobbyists, scientists and lawyers
already form the 13 person board of the Arizona Space Commission,
including the most credible head of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
Arizona is looking skyward to a future that may be painted with visions
of Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Heinlein. Although behind schedule,
Lockheed Martin has a commercial spacecraft under development, named the
X - 33.
The target date for a future spaceport is 2010, according to the
Business Journal article. Other states vying for the spaceport honor
include California, New Mexico, and Texas.
Why, after years of disappointing shuttle missions and lackluster space
research, is the possibility of creating a landing place for commercial
space transportation under discussion now? Will business propel us
into interplanetary travel faster than government led research? Are we
closer to moving off world than we could have imagined? Is American
enterprise ready to justify the purpose?
Apparently, we can. Although a long term plan, the space strategists
in this country are already lining up to make the spaceport decision.
Congressional leaders and shuttle contractors are arguing over the
details, not the strategy. Business and industry will expand into
space; creating a new high tech boom. Arizona may be the world class
destination for off-world travel.
The creation of a spaceport means that there would be a destination.
The moon is a likely commercial site, as would a permanent space
station. The moon might be a source for valuable minerals, and as a
low-g research location. Tourism as a reason for travel is likely,
although confined to the extremely well-to-do for a number of years.
Mars would also be a long term destination - but of course travel time
would be measured in years, not weeks.
Any commercial use of space had better justify some pretty stiff
transportation costs, although the projections now on the books look to
reduce the cost of travel by a factor of ten. Governmental oversight
and regulation will likely add continuing cost for environmental
protection and taxation. Unfortunately, this cost can't be reduced by
better engineering.
Arizona is being hailed as a first tier state as a spaceport site in
terms of our land, but second tier in terms of infrastructure. There
are about fifty businesses in the state now that directly work on space
travel, and a good university system. With the growth of our
population, and the interest of the high tech community, the long term
prospects for Arizona's candidacy as the nations preeminent spaceport
look promising.
An Arizona spaceport would be the stuff to delight the imagination; a
viable spaceport would also eclipse any economic boom creditable to a
new football stadium. Arizona would offer one more Wonder of the
World. In years past we've been the home to a historically significant
observatory (Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff first identified Pluto as a
planet) and a biosphere to model domed cities in space. Within our
lifetimes, we may witness the commercial and tourist inaugural of a true
celestial harbor. If I can, I'll go. See you on the flight to the
moon.
Steve Broe is a free lance writer and a school leader. He is an
occasional contributer to Much Ado About Mensa. Steve lives in
Scottsdale.
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