Meanwhile New Mexico Legislators Are Quibbling: The New Mexico State Senate declined to support Gov. Bill Richardson’s proposal to invest $225 million for spaceport development. According to the Silver City Sun-News, some lawmakers have concerns about specifics, such as location—wanting to consider Cannon Air Force Base and the old Roswell Field as well as the site next to White Sands Missile Range—while others question the viability of the project since Virgin Galactic is asking the state to provide the startup capital.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.