Published in collaboration with the International Space University.

Chapter 1: Spaceports: A Primer; What is a Spaceport?; What Happens at a Spaceport?; Suborbital vs. Orbital; Purpose of this Brief; Structure of this Brief; Chapter 2: Spaceports: A Definition andBrief History; Spaceports inScience Fiction; Basic Spaceport Facilities; Spaceport History andDevelopment intheUnited States; Spaceport Development; Spaceport History andDevelopment inRussia; Kapustin Yar; Baikonur; Plesetsk; Vostochny; Spaceport History andDevelopment inChina; Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center; Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Xichang Satellite Launch Center Wenchang Satellite Launch Center; Spaceports Around theWorld; Guyana Space Center; Satish Dhawan Space Center; Andøya Space Center; References; Chapter 3: The Regulatory Environment; International Treaties; Spaceport Policy Country by Country; Safety; Spaceport Risk Management; Role oftheCommercial Space Launch Act; International Traffic onArms Regulations; References; Chapter 4: Control Centers andAirspace; Role oftheFAA; FAA Planning Process; Launch Monitoring; Integrating Launch Vehicles intotheNational Airspace System. Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles Launch/Takeoff; Ascent; ATC fromtheSurface toaHigh-Altitude STC; ATC During Initial Ascent; Final Ascent Through aSTC; Ascent Through STC fromtheSurface; Re-Entry; Descent Through theNAS andLanding; Coordinating Traffic andOperational Variables; Flight Testing Overview; Next Steps; References; Chapter 5: Spacecraft andLaunch Vehicles; Orbital Vehicles; United States; Russia; China; India; Suborbital Vehicles; SpaceShipTwo; Blue Origin; Chapter 6: Payload Processing, Testing andIntegration; Payload Integration Administration. Payload Testing and Integration Step by Step Payload Preparation and Integration Phase by Phase; Spaceport Support Requirements; Payload Characteristics; Structural Interfaces; Environmental Conditions; Electrical Power Interfaces; Electromagnetic Compatibility; Payload Services andFacilities; Chapter 7: Passenger Training andTraining Facilities; Altitude Physiology andHAI; Spacesuit Indoctrination; Acceleration Physiology; Space Motion Sickness; Perception; Parabolic Flight; Reference; Chapter 8: Point-to-Point Transportation; Spaceport Location; PTP Challenges. Thermal Protection System Super-Density Operations; Passenger Accommodation; High Altitude Winds; Environmental Impact; PTP Market; References; Chapter 9: Spaceports Around theWorld; Spaceport America; Spaceport Sweden; Mojave Spaceport; Baikonur Spaceport; Plesetsk Spaceport; Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport; Spaceports inDevelopment: Houston; Partners; Spaceports inDevelopment: Caribbean Spaceport; Alternative Revenue Streams #1: Tangential Space-Related Markets; Alternative Revenue Streams #2: Space-Related Markets; Reference.

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.