If there ever was an American city primed for a commercial spaceport, it would be Houston. The home of Nasa, it has a long and storied history of space travel. So it comes as no surprise that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would name it as the home of a recently announced commercial spaceport, which will help with the expansion of the space tourism industry.
Approved after a two year-long wait, the commercial spaceport will be built on the public and military transportation hub Ellington Airport. It will be designed to house "horizontally-launched" space vehicles as well as a space vehicle assembly. Overall, the commercial spaceport is yet another indication that recreational space travel isn't too far away for those itching to explore places beyond Earth's atmosphere.
American Commercial Spaceports
Federal Aviation Administration Expands Space Tourism in Houston
Trend Themes
1. Commercial Space Travel - The approval of the commercial spaceport in Houston signifies a growing trend in the demand for space tourism, presenting opportunities for businesses to invest in transport and infrastructure of space travel.
2. Space Vehicle Assembly - The construction of a space vehicle assembly in the commercial spaceport presents a trend in developing horizontal launch capabilities for space travel, offering opportunities in manufacturing and space vehicle technology.
3. Military Transportation Hub - The location of the commercial spaceport in a public and military transportation hub highlights a trend in collaboration opportunities between government, military, and private entities to advance commercial space travel.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace and Defense - The development of a commercial spaceport and space vehicle assembly in Houston presents opportunities for companies to invest in aerospace and defense technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure that enable commercial space travel.
2. Tourism and Hospitality - The growth in space tourism presents opportunities for the tourism and hospitality industry to expand their services and cater to a new demographic of travelers interested in exploring beyond Earth's atmosphere.
3. Transportation and Logistics - The commercial spaceport's location in a transportation hub emphasizes the need for transportation and logistics companies to invest in the infrastructure and technology that enable space travel, providing opportunities in supply chain and cargo transport for space travel.