Has Spaceport America Been Good For New Mexico?

Based on the past 6 years, from 2019 - 2024, the answer is a solid yes. The facility is located near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, about 75 miles north of Las Cruces.

Spaceport America is the worlds first, "purpose built" commercial spaceport. It sits on 18,000 acres adjacent to the highly restricted White Sands Missile Range.

Wanna go see it for yourself? You can, hit 'em up during their "open house" on September 21st, 2025.

“The results are significant, showing that Spaceport America in 2024 supported 313 direct jobs and 790 total jobs in New Mexico, up from 242 direct jobs and 396 total jobs in 2019, while contributing nearly $240 million to economic output, up from $72 million in 2019,” Arrowhead Center program director and co-author of the report Dr. Kramer Winingham stated in a news release.

READ MORE: There's A Spaceport In Texas Too

“Most recently, our estimates indicate Spaceport America has totaled $110.8 million in value-added production and $73.1 million in labor income for our state in 2024,” Winingham added. - krqe 

 Why New Mexico?

The main reasons are, pretty much, space and weather. The facility is extremely "rocket friendly" with 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, a sparse population and its 18,000 acres easily accommodate a 12,000 feet x 200 feet as well as vertical launch pads. Weather-wise; the area enjoys around 340 days of sunshine with little rain or humidity.

The area is no stranger to rockets or space. White Sands Missile Range, once a backup landing site for the space shuttle, is right next door with an 80+ year history of missile and rocket testing and development.

It's about 117 miles from Alamogordo which is home to Holloman Air Force Base and the International Space Hall Of Fame.