THE FINAL FRONTIER IS NEAR

Photographs by MARK GREENBERG for Spaceport America

Above we see Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo with SpaceShipTwo attached, flying overhead during the dedication of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority Spaceport America 10,000 ft. (3.048 Km) long runway at Upham, New Mexico, USA.
As the dawn of commercial space travel nears, the first ‘commercial space travelers’ will be launching from this Spaceport in New Mexico. The starting price for flights is still a staggering $200,000 per person. Hopefully, as commercial space travel becomes more popular the price will decrease accordingly, so all can marvel at the infinite beauty of the Cosmos.
Spaceport America is the world's first purpose-built, commercial spaceport designed with the needs of the commercial, space business in mind. Spaceport America is located just west of the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States of America.
Virgin Galactic has entered into a 20-year lease agreement with Spaceport America and it will serve as headquarters for Virgin Galactic operations. Estimated construction costs are $209 million. Advantages include stable weather, dry climate, and a 4,600 ft. altitude above sea level, meaning the first mile of vertical travel is “free”!

via SPACEPORT AMERICA
[Via- twistedsifer]