Virgin Galactic's Hanger / Terminal - Spaceport America completed

Tim Sayell sends in an article from Yahoo News that says after four years of delays, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic terminal and hanger is finally finished. New Mexico governor Susana Martinez dedicated the Spaceport America terminal hanger facility,recently.

As you know, Virgin Galactic will be charging $200,000 per passenger, for a sub-orbital flight. Even at the, no pun intended, sky high price, 455 people have already bought tickets for the 2 1/2-hour suborbital flights that include only about five minutes of weightlessness.

All activities will be handled at the 110,152-square-foot hangar that will house the company's two spacecraft, mission control and a waiting area for the space tourists.

Spaceport America: First Looks at a New Space Terminal

URS Corporation took the wraps off new images that showcase the sprawling main terminal and hangar at the first purpose build Space Port - Spaceport America. Selected from an international field of eleven firms, the winning design is the work of URS Corporation - a large design and engineering enterprise - teamed with Foster + Partners of the United Kingdom, a group with extensive experience in crafting airport buildings. When the 100,000 square-foot (9,290 square-meter) facility is completed it will serve as the primary operating base for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic suborbital spaceliner, and also as the headquarters for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. The design chosen is a low-lying, striking bit of construction that uses natural earth as a berm, and relies on passive energy for heating and cooling, with photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling capabilities. A rolling concrete shell acts as a roof with massive windows opening to a view of the runway and spacecraft.

Thanks to Shaun A. Saunders for the post