Thoughts on Big Island Launch site ?

[viviansuet]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 2263
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 H.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. Hawaii has long been recognized as an ideal location for the launching of spacecraft due to its geographic location. This is especially true of Hawaii island, which is unrivaled in the United States for equatorial launches of spacecraft, particularly small satellites, due to its global position. The development of a small satellite launch and processing facility on Hawaii island has tremendous economic potential for both Hawaii island and the State of Hawaii.
The legislature finds that there is private-sector interest in locating small satellite launch and processing facilities in Hawaii. As a potential emerging economic sector, the legislature finds that there is a need for an economic assessment study of the development of small satellite launch and processing facilities on the island of Hawaii to determine the economic viability of such an endeavor.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to conduct an economic assessment of the establishment of a small satellite launch and processing facility on the island of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purpose of conducting an economic assessment study on the development and economic viability of a small satellite launch and processing facility on the island of Hawaii. The study shall be conducted by the department of business, economic development, and tourism, in conjunction with the Pacific international space center for exploration systems and Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Inc.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title: Small Satellites; Launch and Processing Facility; Appropriation
Description: Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct an economic assessment study on the development and economic viability of a small satellite launch and processing facility on the Island of Hawaii. (HB2263 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050

We'll be on Mars before Big Island builds a spaceport. (Even if construction started tomorrow)

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard

[ironyak]

Correction - we'll be on Mars before Hawaii funds a study for building a spaceport.

I hope to be around in 2050 - so many bills take effect then it'll be like a time capsule of past legislation (all of which will be drastically underfunded due to inflation and interest payments on all our bond-debt. Remember when milk cost $5 a gallon and a spaceport study only cost $10 million? Those were the days...)

[TomK]

Think of the advantages. Some say that the TMT should be launched into space instead of operating on Mauna Kea. It's beyond our capabilities now, of course, but maybe in 2050 we'll have figured out how to do it. Then, after the TMT has done its job on MK, it's only a small trip to a launch site on the island to send it off into space. The ultimate upgrade without having to ship it off to the mainland first. And more local jobs to boot.

[pahoated]

Looks like HB 2263 passed and just waiting the governor's signature after the end of this legislature. Interesting.

There already is a Space Port on Hawaii island. It is called Kona Airport. Do you think Richard Branson is starting direct flights from the mainland to Hawaii just to expand Virgin Airways? They are just the connecting flights to Virgin Galactic. It won't be a huge change to tourism since the suborbital space plane only carries 6 fat wallet passengers at a time and it will be months between turnarounds. No protests needed, launches will be like a regular jet airliner taking off, wingspan less than a 777. Virgin Two isn't human qualified yet but probably within two years.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[kalakoa]

the suborbital space plane only carries 6 fat wallet passengers at a time

Yes, and they must already be "in the US" because Kona lacks the Customs facilities to process an international passenger...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

There already is a Space Port on Hawaii island. It is called Kona Airport.

The proposal to create a Kona Airport/ Spaceport still requires the FAA to issue a launch site operator license to HDOT-A at KOA, before flights can begin. This will be for terrestrially operated space planes:
http://hawaiiairandspaceport.com/project...ation.html

For extra-terrestrial visits, travelers must arrive and depart from the Kalapana Star Visitor Sanctuary. I believe Uncle Robert had already approved the permit, and a posted sign indicates the landing site above the all too rare these days free spaceport parking (& earth shell & jewelry sellers).



"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard

[TomK]

"The proposal to create a Kona Airport/ Spaceport still requires the FAA to issue a launch site operator license to HDOT-A at KOA, before flights can begin. This will be for terrestrially operated space planes:
http://hawaiiairandspaceport.com/project...ation.html"

Anyone know who is actually the creator of that website?

[ironyak]

Whois says domain is registered to Florida-based Architecture & Engineering firm RS&H.
https://whois.icann.org/en/lookup?name=H...ceport.com

They appear to have several spaceport projects along with activities in aviation, defense, transportation, etc.
http://rsandh.com

[TomK]

Thanks, ironyak. It's unusual to see a site like that which doesn't have an "about" link, unless it's by a crank of course, but it didn't look like a kooksite to me.