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First-Ever Private Spaceport Nears Final Approval

bobhagopian writes "According to the article on Space.com, the Federal Aviation Administration is nearing the final stages of certifying the Mojave Airport as the first-ever private spaceport. Both Scaled Composites and XCOR Aerospace (the two leading competitors in the X-Prize competition) currently fly out of Mojave Airport. The approval of a commercial spaceport will certainly facilitate the creation of even more private-sector space technologies."

33 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. But before launch... by Bingo+Foo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Make sure you deactivate the Excelsior's Trans-Warp Drive.

    --
    taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
  2. Now by supe · · Score: 5, Funny

    There will finally be a place for *visitors* to land
    and visit!

    1. Re:Now by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah I wonder if John Travolta's will reserve a parking space to allow Ron Hubbard to return...

    2. Re:Now by cebarro · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just what we need. Said visitors land, disembark, and are immediately hit with advertising and ushered into a starbucks....

  3. Alien Landing Authority by DaHat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does this mean that ET will not need government approval to set down at this space port?

    1. Re:Alien Landing Authority by tds67 · · Score: 3, Funny
      Does this mean that ET will not need government approval to set down at this space port?

      Finally, a reduction in illegal aliens!

    2. Re:Alien Landing Authority by DrEldarion · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, but it's commercial so he will have to find some way to pay. Maybe he can bring along some three-breasted aliens like the one from Total Recall...

    3. Re:Alien Landing Authority by MachDelta · · Score: 3, Funny
      Dude, you know that middle one was paper mache, right?
      And the other two were silicon. So who cares?! ;)
  4. So does this mean... by macshune · · Score: 5, Funny

    That they'll change all the signs to the Mojave Airport to the Mojave Spaceport? That would be really cool and I bet those signs 'll disappear every week or so:)

    1. Re:So does this mean... by stuktongue · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Mojave Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive...." :-)

    2. Re:So does this mean... by Jaysyn · · Score: 4, Funny

      Cause, "Jezus it's fucking hot on this tarmac" wouldn't fit on a sign.

      Jaysyn

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    3. Re:So does this mean... by tubbtubb · · Score: 4, Funny

      Will Han shoot first in this one?

  5. location location location by proj_2501 · · Score: 5, Funny

    is mojave a proper locale for a wretched hive of scum and villainy?

    1. Re:location location location by OldManAndTheC++ · · Score: 5, Funny
      is mojave a proper locale for a wretched hive of scum and villainy?

      You must be thinking of Bakersfield ...

      --
      Soylent Green is peoplicious!
  6. $Bling$Bling$? by neuro.slug · · Score: 4, Funny

    Great... now rappers won't be content with having their own armada of Escalades... the only question is: How does one attach 24s to a shuttle?

    -- n

  7. Government Issued ID? by kmankmankman2001 · · Score: 5, Funny

    But when the aliens land there, how will Homeland Security be able to verify the required government issued ID?

    Probably not a real issue; once aliens sample what passes for food in an Earth airport, err, I mean SPACEport the word will travel quickly and they will all stop coming.

    --
    "The bigger the lie, the more they believe." - Det. Bunk
  8. Re:There's just one small problem by nizo · · Score: 3, Funny
    No one has won the X-Prize yet. If they aren't going into space yet, isn't calling where they're flying from a "spaceport" a bit premature?

    Ahh, but once they do make it into space, they won't have to change all the signs/business cards/etc. Saves time and money!

  9. New Sig, anyone by SoSueMe · · Score: 5, Funny

    Space is big. Space is dark. Now we have a place to park

  10. Considering that the large number of ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 3, Funny
    Tusken Raiders in the vicinity tend to stay far enough away, I'd say the location is servicable. There are also a pool of Huttese looking to invest in spice trading opportunities and other diversions.

    And a close Sarlac pit.

    1. Re:Considering that the large number of ... by the+gnat · · Score: 4, Funny

      And a close Sarlac pit.

      Those of us in northern California have also been known to refer to it as "Los Angeles".

  11. Re:How to keep the signs up. by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny
    "Print notice on the back of the ones on the road that reasonably-priced souvenirs are available at the office or by mail-order at (x) for ($y)"

    What a great idea, people would never take something for free when they can just buy it someplace else!

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  12. When do they start taking bids... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...from companies who want to manage the cantina?

  13. Are there discount rates for long-term parking?... by Sir-Techlot · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... a mission to Mars could be bit pricy for a car owner.

  14. Re:What are they going to do? by John+Hurliman · · Score: 3, Funny

    According to Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, we can launch hyrdoponics labs that will feed the nation, energy collecting solar satellites, and a missile defense system.

    Who said computer games never taught you anything!

  15. That hardly qualifies as an airport. by douglips · · Score: 4, Funny
    The description reads like Jeff Foxworthy: "You might be a redneck if your airport has..."

    Surface: dirt, in poor condition
    ROUGH; DEBRIS FULL LENGTH OF RY; BROKEN BOTTLES & FIREWORKS DEBRIS.
    Runway edge markings: /22 MARKED WITH +10 FT STEEP DROP OFF SIGNS AT BOTH ENDS.
    • RY SOFT WHEN WET. DEEP RUTS & TALL GRASS FULL LENGTH OF RY.
    • ARPT ON TOP OF MOUNTAIN; LAND DESCENDS VERY STEEPLY FROM RWY ENDS.
    • NO LINE OF SIGHT BTN RWY ENDS.
    • NO SNOW REMOVAL AVAILABLE.
    • CAUTION RADIO CTLD MODEL ACFT OPERATION N SIDE OF RWY.
  16. Re:What are they going to do? by OldManAndTheC++ · · Score: 2, Funny
    So...what are the civilians going to DO in space?

    Space is merely what tourists will pass through on their way to exciting destinations. For myself, I intend to start selling trips to the surface of the sun. Can you think of a hotter, more exciting place to be? I can think of several groups off the top of my head who would be good sales prospects:

    The American Bar Association
    The Internal Revenue Service
    The Recording Industry Association of America
    SCO Management
    The International Organization of Spammers
    The International Organization of Spam Purchasers

    and of course,

    The League of Telephone Sanitizers

    --
    Soylent Green is peoplicious!
  17. Re:There's just one small problem by alienw · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're kidding, right? Commercial space exploration? Who do you think will invest money in something that's expensive and unlikely to yield results?

  18. Not at all.. by raehl · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nobody said it had to have departures before it could accept arrivals.

    I better get moving on my patent for "A method for transferring alien tourists to Vegas".

  19. Hey Scottie by heybo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Boom me up Scottie

    No sign of intelligent life here

    Can I go now?

  20. Water powered rockets by weeboo0104 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The reason for that is that water makes a plentiful rocket fuel.

    I already have a water powered rocket.

    --
    It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
  21. Re:Spaceport Security? by grozzie2 · · Score: 2, Funny
    What kind of search will I have to go through to get into SPACE?

    This is SOOOO obvious. You will be subjected to a 'wallet search'. The purpose of the wallet search is to 'lighten the load' to the point where it's light enough to actually lift into space. If the wallet search proves successful, then, the rest will be minor formalities. If the wallet search is unsuccessful, boarding will be denied on 'financial security' grounds.

  22. Re:You're trying not to get it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I only rob banks when I'm REALLY strapped and it's inconvenient to get a second job.

  23. Re:What are they going to do? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    And if you have any younger brothers or sisters, a fun game to play in a sufficiently large room in zero-gravity:

    1. Hook feet under railing on floor. (Pick any wall and call it the floor. If this doesn't make sense, read Ender's Game before liftoff.)
    2. Lift sibling no higher than halfway between floor and ceiling.
    3. Carefully let go of sibling, being careful not to impart significant velocity to sibling relative to room.
    4. Crouch, grab railing, and leave room quickly.
    5. Laugh hysterically as sibling screams and flails about in hopes of propelling him/herself to a wall.