Photo by Drew Hamilton NASA displays its present and future with a mock-up of the Orion escape system and a hot air balloon shaped like a space shuttle at the Spaceport America groundbreaking event held at New Mexico State University June 18. Spaceport America will be a commercial spaceport with plans for it to support scientific missions as well as space tourism and transportation.

Commercial space travel took another step forward June 19 with the New Mexico groundbreaking of the first commercial spaceport.

Spaceport America, which will be located near White Sands Missile Range, will be the first commercial spaceport to be built.
With plans to support both vertically and horizontally launched spacecraft, the new site will allow private companies to conduct space operations without the extensive support of government agencies. Though government organizations, including WSMR and NASA, are helping support the project, one of the most advertised goals of the project is to allow for commercial spacecraft to give private citizens access to space, a service not currently offered by most space agencies. Companies such as Virgin Galactic hope to offer space tourism flights, as well as suborbital passenger flights. “We are now very well on our way to becoming our own spaceline” said Virgin Galactic CEO Steven Attenborough at the groundbreaking event held at New Mexico State University.

Travel card can now be used for PCS expenses
“Effective June 10, 2009, the individually billed travel charge card (GTCC) can be used for relocation expenses,” John Argodale, deputy assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Operations, said.

Charges for transportation, lodging, meals, Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expense (TQSE), and house-hunting approved expenses are authorized. Participants, whose account is open and current at time of registration at their organization’s Agency Program Coordinator, can obtain travel advances using their GTCC in the form of ATM, cash, and manual cash disbursements.
Jul 2, 2009, 12:19 pm

Post Information Exchange
The WSMR community is invited to come out for Organization Day July 23 at Volunteer Park. There will be several activities for everyone according to information presented at the June 30 Post Information Exchange.

The following information was also presented at the meeting:

Fourth of July

On July 4, personnel and their families may bring fireworks to the designated area of Volunteer Park and ignite them from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Only fireworks purchased at licensed reputable dealers in Las Cruces are allowed.

Families are encouraged to arrive early and make use of the park’s barbecue grills and picnic tables.
Jul 2, 2009, 12:24 pm

Fireworks allowed for Fourth of July celebration
On July 4, personnel and their families may bring fireworks to the designated area of Volunteer Park and ignite them from 7:30 until 10:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive early and make use of the park’s barbecue grills and picnic tables to make the most of the evening.

Garrison Commander Col. C. J. Wicker invites all WSMR residents to come out and enjoy the evening, and asked that everyone celebrate safely by supervising their children, using fireworks in a responsible manner, and cleaning up their areas prior to departing.
Jul 2, 2009, 12:31 pm

Safety Corner: Holiday safety tips
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July. But fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries. Michael Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges consumers to stay safe this Independence Day.

"Parades and cookouts and fireworks are hallmarks of an American Independence Day," Brown said. "But improper use of fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a tragic one. Users should heed safety advice on packaging and follow the fireworks safety tips of FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration and other groups to keep this holiday a safe and enjoyable one."
Jul 2, 2009, 12:32 pm