Spaceport America Master Plan

RS&H is the lead consultant for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) to facilitate the Spaceport America Master Plan. The FAA-licensed launch complex is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. It has a rocket-friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, and vertical launch complexes.  

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. RS&H took a methodical approach to understanding the extensive implications of such a pioneering project. To meet the challenges head-on, our aviation and aerospace team underwent substantial expansion, to make sure subject matter experts were brought in-house to meet the client’s needs. The primary focus revolved around accurately forecasting and planning for the operational and infrastructure requirements of Spaceport of America. The objective of the Master Plan was clear in establishing an environment conducive to the success of all stakeholders and customers for Spaceport of America to grow sustainably and serve as a benchmark for excellence. 

Master Plan purpose, objectives, and outcomes

The Spaceport America Master Plan study is being conducted to evaluate future spaceport needs such as operations by space, aviation, and advanced tech industries; evolving market and use-case trends; national security space requirements and operations; public and private investment trends; launch vehicles evolution, frequency of flights, potential payloads, and propellant storage; and regulatory trends. Based on these factors and public input, the Master Plan will produce development options for Spaceport America over a ten-year period. 

RS&H’s outreach campaign to key stakeholders and the public supports the Agency’s collaborative mission. At the same time, the demand-driven master plan identifies opportunities for growth in New Mexico’s aerospace and advanced tech industries so that diverse parties may benefit from the unique characteristics of the spaceport and the community. Public involvement helps define the best path ahead for Spaceport America through a “needs and wants” assessment 

By leveraging our professional experience and tools, RS&H has been able to accurately assess the operational and financial forecast for Spaceport of America by promoting community and educational involvement while balancing regulatory requirements and cost restraints in a market-driven approach. Our ability to balance detailed deliverables while being connected with the community is at the heart of what we do.   

Sustainability as a top priority

Since Spaceport of America is in a remote area, sustainability is a top priority for practical and environmental reasons in this project. The dry climate means careful water management is crucial for efficient water usage to prevent waste and use proper filtration to prevent corrosion. Additionally, incorporating energy-producing options like solar panels ensures clean energy generation, reducing reliance on the power grid and boosting the airport’s possible revenue streams. This straightforward approach not only tackles the challenges of the remote location but also aligns with the broader goals of environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.