Spaceport Authority Launches Last Mission of 2000 – 22 Launch Total for 2000 – 36 Launches Planned for 2001
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACEPORT–A suborbital LiteStar rocket launched at 11:00
a.m. today by the Spaceport Florida Authority was the last launch of 2000
at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Today’s launch was one of two designed
to validate new hardware and procedures at Launch Complex 20, a newly
reactivated launch facility that is now available through the Spaceport
Authority to support a variety of small orbital and suborbital launch
vehicles and “spaceport technology” programs. Today’s launch was also the
32nd LiteStar mission conducted by the Spaceport Authority since 1992.
Since January 2000, the Cape Canaveral Spaceport has been the site of 22
government and commercial missions, including eight Atlas launches, five
Delta launches, three LiteStar suborbital launches, five Space Shuttle
launches, and one Titan launch. Florida’s spaceport was also a mission
management site for a Pegasus rocket that was launched in October from
underneath an L-1011 aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. All of this year’s
launches were successful.
According to published manifests, up to 36 launches could be conducted in
2001, pending the finalization of contracts and completion of satellites
now under development. A schedule of anticipated launches is posted on
the Spaceport Authority’s website at www.spaceportflorida.com. The
website also includes a listing of launches for 2000 and 1999, and a
chart describing the various rockets that will launch from the Cape
Canaveral Spaceport.
The Spaceport Authority was established by Florida’s governor and
legislature to support the retention, expansion and diversification of
the state’s space-related industry. Empowered as a transportation
authority, the Spaceport Authority financed, owns or operates several
launch support facilities at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport and elsewhere
in the state, including three launch complexes, a hangar for reusable
launch vehicles, a launch control center, a launch vehicle integration
facility, a rocket motor storage facility, and other multi-user
infrastructure. The Spaceport Authority also works closely with Florida’s
universities and community colleges to support statewide space-related
research, technology and education programs.
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Edward Ellegood
Spaceport Florida Authority
100 Spaceport Way
Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920-4003
321-730-5301, ext. 1105 (phone); 321-730-5307 (fax)
