This brief presents a concise description of the existing spaceport market the technologies
being tested and developed at them and the private companies that are making them possible.
While NASA has its own plan for the future of space exploration one that includes a new
shuttle an interplanetary spacecraft and astronauts going to Mars many people believe that
the real future of space exploration is currently centered around dozens of commercial
spaceports financed by entrepreneurs inspired not only by profit but by the dream of creating
a new space age one not limited by bureaucracies or by budget allocations. Commercial
spaceports in Florida Texas Oklahoma Virginia and Alaska as well as in countries like
Curaçao and Sweden are becoming home to dozens of private aerospace companies and provide a
place where cutting-edge technology can be developed tested and launched into space. Based on
original interviews with principles at the various companies involved and on-site observations
at the Mojave Air and Space Port the author traces the early days of the spaceport movement
and outlines what lies ahead.
