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 U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
