starchaser moving offices to new-mexico!

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/xprize-04k.html

seems they want to go out there, didnt know if this is old news or already been covered but what does this mean about launches in oz?

hmmm very interesting hey!

It makes sense. Woomera is perfect for development and testing. The main market of wealthy potential space tourists is the US. Perhaps one day a point to point capability can be achieved.

It's possible that, right now, NM may be able to offer a lot more on the ground infrastructure than Woomera. And ... like luke sez ... most of the first paying customers, if they exist, are likely to be US citizens.

I don't know much about the space infrastructure in New Mexico but I'm sure that Woomera has a hell of a lot of it. It was a fully equiped spaceport but I don't quite know the state it's in now, any Aussies here know?

This all does raise the question of costs with having facilities in 3 countries, especially as Starchaser doesn't have a huge amount of money (i.e. they don't have Paul Allens wallet to play with!).

I suppose it will help with developing an international reputation though, which can only be a good thing.

Edit: but there would be more general infrastructure available in New Mexico.

I was talking about the infrastructure that comes with large and nearby population centers.

Woomera has (I think) a pop. of about 2,000 and Las Cruces is close to 80,000 (help, I don't have accurate figures at hand so I could be right off). So there is likely to be a difference in the level (not necessarily quality) of infrastructure available to support the proposed spaceport facilities (whatever quality they may be).

Edit: Ouch ... just read Nova's edit.

will starchaser have to apply for a permit there too then? when they have it can they test flight whenever they want? any info will be greatly received