FAA allows commercial spaceflights out of Oklahoma Spaceport
{{date|June 15, 2006}}

[[Image:Atlantis taking off on STS-27.jpg|right|250px]]

The [[w:Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] has issued a license for commercial spaceflight operations to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA).  The OSIDA will oversee the operations of "suborbital, reusable launch vehicles" out of the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark [[w:spaceport|spaceport]] in [[w:Burns Flat, Oklahoma|Burns Flat, Oklahoma]].  Testing at the spacesport is expected to begin sometime next year.

Bill Khourie, director of OSIDA said, "This is a tremendous opportunity for Oklahoma.  The benefits are just enormous as to what can branch out from this."

[[w:Rocketplane Kistler|Rocketplane Kistler]], an Oklahoma-based company, has started production of spacecraft and is working on the final steps of its license applications.  Rocketplan Kistler plans on a "fairly extensive flight test program" in 2007 and commercial flights by 2008.

A Texas-based company has also expressed interest in the [[w:Oklahoma Spaceport|Oklahoma Spaceport]].

Other United States spaceports include California Spaceport, Mojave Airport (California), Kodiak Launch Complex (Alaska), Spaceport Florida, and Virginia Spaceport.  A spaceport is also planned in South New Mexico, the Southwest Regional Spaceport.

==Sources==

* {{Source | author=Alan Boyle | url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13304491 | title=Regulators OK Oklahoma spaceport | pub=MSNBC | date=June 13, 2006}}
* {{Source | author=Sean Murphy | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14818115.htm | title=FAA issues Oklahoma spaceport license | pub=Associated Press | date=June 14, 2006}}

==External links==

* [http://www.okspaceport.state.ok.us/ Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority]

[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
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The FAA has issued a license for commercial spaceflight operations to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA).  The OSIDA will oversee the operations of "suborbital, reusable launch vehicles" out of the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark spaceport in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.  Testing at the spacesport is expected to begin sometime next year.

Bill Khourie, director of OSIDA said, "This is a tremendous opportunity for Oklahoma.  The benefits are just enormous as to what can branch out from this."

Rocketplane Kistler, an Oklahoma-based company, has started production of spacecraft and is working on the final steps of its license applications.  Rocketplan Kistler plans on a "fairly extensive flight test program" in 2007 and commercial flights by 2008.

A Texas-based company has also expressed interest in the Oklahoma Spaceport.

Other United States spaceports include California Spaceport, Mojave Airport (California), Kodiak Launch Complex (Alaska), Spaceport Florida, and Virginia Spaceport.  A spaceport is also planned in South New Mexico, the Southwest Regional Spaceport.
North America United States Oklahoma Science and technology Economy and business