LAS CRUCES, N.M. (August 1, 2024) – In conjunction with the 2024 Las Cruces Space Festival, and in partnership with Virgin Galactic, Spaceport America will be hosting a free Open House on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Open House is open to all members of the public.
There will be opportunities to see aircraft fly-ins, engage in STEM activities, listen to various guest speakers, and interact with space-related vendors and exhibitors. Food trucks will also be on site for snacks, drinks, and meals.
Various programming opportunities are available, and visitors will have the opportunity to see both the exterior and interior of the Gateway to Space building (hangar), and view Virgin Galactic’s spaceship (VSS Unity). Photos are allowed and all can learn more about the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport and the world’s first commercial spaceline.
Attendance/Tickets
To attend, individuals and groups must register on the Spaceport America Open House site[1] () starting on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Attendees will be prompted to select a ticket to either the morning (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) or afternoon (12:00-2:00 p.m.) session of the event. The programming, guest speakers and speakers will be the same from session to session. Guests are recommended to arrive approximately 30 minutes early and to bring either a paper or electronic copy of their ticket. For individuals electing to bring an electronic copy, note that cell phone coverage at Spaceport America is limited to Verizon. Other wireless networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.) do not provide coverage at the site
Attendees who are 18 years of age or older are required to have a form of government-issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, passport, or passport card) to gain admittance to the site on the day of the event. Driving directions and a map to Spaceport America can be located at here[2].
Becoming a Vendor, Fly-In Attendee or Costumed Participant
Organizations interested in becoming a vendor (food truck/food vendor and non-food vendor),securing space for STEM and space-related activities for children and families, or conducting a fly-in (refueling services will not be available on the day of the event) must register online. Space-related costumes are encouraged by attendees, as well, but must adhere to the parameters listed on the vendor information page. The deadline to register for a fly-in, as a food vendor, as a non-food vendor, and for costumes is set for Monday, August 26, 2024, and all interested parties may register at this link[3].
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Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.
Some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry are tenants at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, HAPSMobile/ AeroVironment, Prismatic Ltd. (a subsidiary of BAE Systems), UP Aerospace, and SpinLaunch.
In its seventh year of existence the Las Cruces Space Festival is an annual celebration of space-related activity and interest in southern New Mexico and beyond. Its mission is ‘Making Space for Everyone’. The festival is free to participate in, and open to all, with the cost of activities, presentations, displays, and exhibits all covered by sponsors. LCSF works with many partner organizations across the community – ranging from the public schools, local universities and colleges, space industry, arts, and cultural groups, and many others – to provide an event for people of all ages and interests. It aims to raise awareness and celebrate space-related activity and achievements in the region – past, present and future – and aims for people to have fun, learn about new possibilities, and get inspired and excited by the various elements of the week-long Festival and associated activities in the area.
Exhibitor and Vendor Contact
Felicity Nevarez | Sales Agent
Fly-In Contact
Allan Turk | Director of Aerospace Operations
