The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) chosen by the Air Force and NASA
The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) doing business as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), 4111 Monarch Way, Suite 201 Norfolk, Va. 23501 757-440-4020, is pleased to have been chosen by the Air Force and NASA as the launch site for Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3). The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th, from MARS Pad 'OB'. MARS, a commercial launch enterprise, is located on Virginia's Eastern Shore at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. The Air Forces' TacSat 2 and USAF/MDA NFIRE (Missile Defense Agency/Near Field Infrared Experiment) missions were launched from MARS Pad 'OB' in 2006/07. MARS is one of four nationally licensed commercial spaceports by the FAA to send rockets into orbit. MARS is also one of two commercial spaceports authorized under the SALT II Treaty to launch excess ballistic missile assets.
Available for your information and use is (1) an invitation to tour the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wednesday, May 6th at 11:30 am (2) A fact sheet from the US Air Force on the TacSat III launch scheduled for the early evening of May 5, 2009 from MARS. The Air Force has scheduled a media telecom for April 23rd. Information regarding media briefings will be available from Michael Kleiman, Public Affairs Officer at Kirtland Air Force Base (Michael.kleiman@kirtland.af.mil ) or Keith Koehler in the NASA Wallops Public Affairs Office (keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov ).
With support from the Governor and General Assembly, MARS is building $26 million dollars worth of improvements including a new launch pad, horizontal integration facility and other launch support assets. These much enhanced capabilities are being readied for the 2010 demonstration of Orbital Science Corporation's new Taurus II rocket and subsequent re-supply missions to the International Space Station commencing in 2011.
MARS is an excellent example of regional and national cooperation between Virginia and Maryland. Maryland contributes to MARS operational budget, has two representatives on the VCSFA Board of Directors and benefits regionally from the economic impact of the Spaceport. The Congressional Delegations from both states play a vital and active role in supporting the Spaceport financially and through their unwavering commitment to the NASA COTS -- Commercial Orbital Transportation Services-program.
In a recent national analysis of commercial space activity, the FAA said Virginia is one of two states "to effectively create regulatory incentives to lure space transportation companies". The 2009 FAA report calls Virginia "an agent of change" and "the most progressive state in the country" in providing liability protection for commercial human spaceflight transportation companies. Additionally, Virginia was the first state in the nation to pass Zero G Zero Tax in 2008.
The launch will also be web cast live from the NASA Wallops Web Site.