HOUSTON, TEXAS – Houston Airport System (HAS) officials today launched a new website that’s designed to inform the public as to the latest developments on establishing Ellington Airport (EFD) as a licensed commercial Spaceport.

The website, fly2houstonspaceport.com, will include background information, a multi-media gallery with conceptual video and renderings of the proposed facility, as well as the latest happenings and news surrounding HAS’ vision to support commercial spaceport operations for horizontally launched Reusable Launch Vehicles from Ellington Airport. 

The plan to move forward with commercial spaceport licensing was approved by Houston City Council members on July 17, 2013. Before Houston Spaceport can become established at Ellington Airport, the Houston Airport System must first be granted a Launch Site License from the Federal Aviation Administration – Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST). Airport officials plan to submit an official application to the FAA-AST later this year. 

Should the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sign off on the concept, Ellington Airport could see operations taking place involving space vehicle assembly, launching of micro-satellites, Astronaut training, zero gravity experimentation and space tourism. If established, Ellington Airport would become the ninth commercial spaceport to operate in the United States. 

Since receiving City Council support to move forward with the Spaceport initiative, the Houston Airport System has been working through the countless details associated with such a sizeable project. HAS and the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) recently announced plans to explore development opportunities to utilize the Houston Spaceport as one of its landing sites for SNC’s Dream Chaser®, a spacecraft that can land at the spaceport directly from low-Earth orbit. 

The website, created by Easterly & Associates, will serve as an information warehouse for residents across Texas on the HAS effort to establish Houston as a key player within the commercial spaceflight industry and for organizations seeking more information on partnership opportunities. 

For more information please visit fly2houstonspaceport.com.