Exploring Space Tourism in New Mexico
In 2020, after years of planning and development, Virgin Galactic is set to send the first commercial flights carrying paying passengers into space, marking the dawn of space tourism. It all kicks off from Spaceport America in the desert of central New Mexico.
Even if you don’t have the $250,000 to purchase a ticket out of the atmosphere, there are many space tourism sights in New Mexico. The state’s long history of nuclear development and rocket launches, not to mention its astoundingly dark skies, make it a brilliant place to contemplate other worlds.
Whether touring the Spaceport where future tourist-astronauts will zoom into orbit, stargazing from a crystal-clear mountaintop, or UFO-spotting in the country’s most famous alien town, here is the ultimate guide to space tourism in New Mexico.
Spaceport America
The epicenter of New Mexico’s space tourism industry is at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences. The first space tourists in the world (or the universe?) will be rocketed out of Earth’s atmosphere from the 2.27-mile tarmac ‘spaceway’ here. A number of private spaceflight companies lease the rights to operate at the Spaceport, but the most successful – Virgin Galactic – expects to send tourist-astronauts into space in 2020, starting with the company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson.
Unless you have the funds for a flight yourself (or know someone who does), the only way to visit Spaceport America is on a guided tour, which takes you through the hangar and mission control, onto the massive runway. You can also take a turn in a G-force simulator, providing an idea of what it would feel like to travel at mach speeds.
Space Murals Museum
Slightly dusty but underrated, the Space Murals Museum near Las Cruces is quite surprising. A series of murals tracing the history of the US space program adorns a giant water tank at the front. Additionally, there’s a replica of the Challenger Shuttle and a V-2 rocket, and the exhibition inside is a treasure trove of replica Mercury capsules, engines, and equipment surrounded by newspaper clippings, postcards, photos, and donated artifacts.
Sunspot Solar Observatory
Managed by the Astronomy Department of New Mexico State University, Sunspot Solar Observatory is one of the largest observatories dedicated to studying the sun and often hosts researchers from the National Solar Observatory. A self-guided walking trail takes you around the mountaintop grounds in Lincoln National Forest. The Dunn Solar Telescope is open to visitors when in use, usually during weekday mornings.
New Mexico Museum of Space History
The comprehensive New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo chronicles the American space program and the state’s involvement in space exploration. Moreover, it houses the only space hall of fame, honoring astro-greats like Neil Armstrong and Kathryn Sullivan. Outside is a collection of rockets, including the Apollo Launch Escape System test rocket, Little Joe II – the biggest rocket ever launched from New Mexico.
Very Large Array
In a remote area west of Socorro resides the Very Large Array (VLA), a radio-astronomy observatory mapping outer space through radio waves. Part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the VLA features a massive field of 28 telescope dishes (one spare) that constantly monitor waves from the universe’s far reaches, including pulsars, gamma rays, and supernovae, the latter offering insights about how stars are born.
The VLA also played a significant role in the 1997 film Contact, as the location where Jodie Foster’s character first identified an alien radio signal. A visitor centre explains the ins and outs of radio astronomy, and visitors can walk around the field to get up close to the dishes.
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Space exploration is inextricably linked with humankind’s atomic development. New Mexico has made significant contributions to advances in rocket engineering and nuclear science – it was the setting of the 1940s Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb’s development. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque provides insights into the connections between nuclear science and space exploration. Its outdoor Heritage Park exhibit features missiles, historical planes, army trucks, and a Redstone rocket.
Roswell
If Spaceport America is the launch point for human space tourists, then Roswell is arguably the first earthly tourist destination visited by aliens. This eastern New Mexico city gained fame in 1947 when an alleged UFO crashed in the desert, leading to speculations about recovered alien bodies. Today, Roswell is synonymous with paranormal activity and capitalizes on its UFO connections with the International UFO Museum & Research Center, a non-profit museum dedicated to UFO sightings and alien encounters.
Across town, Alien Zone is a quirky gift shop filled with UFO kitsch, while the Roswell Space Walk features a psychedelic art installation exploring interpretations of alien life. Don’t miss the Roswell UFO Festival in July, celebrating extraterrestrial life with music, costume contests, parades, and more.
Trinity Site
A large swathe of central New Mexico includes the White Sands Missile Range, a US Army testing area adjacent to Spaceport America and the newest US national park, White Sands National Park. The first atomic bomb was tested here in 1945 at the Trinity Site. Now a national landmark, the site features early atomic scientists’ base camps, bunkers, and a memorial marking where the bomb exploded. It is only open to visitors two days a year: the first Saturday of April and October.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Although not strictly a space-related sight, Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Bradbury Science Museum chronicles atomic science and its development during the Manhattan Project. A gallery dedicated to current and future research provides vital insights into nuclear science in New Mexico and its relevance to space exploration programs.
New Mexico Astronomy Tours & Star Parties
Space tourism isn’t solely about rockets; in fact, one of the best parts of New Mexico is the sky above. The state suffers far less light pollution than most of North America, making it a perfect location to see the Milky Way unobstructed.
New Mexico was one of the first places where early humans created land-based connections to the stars. Ancestral Puebloans built structures at Chaco Canyon aligned with celestial bodies, and it was designated a Dark Sky Park in 2013. Several state and national parks, such as Bandelier National Monument and White Sands, host regular star parties and nocturnal programs.
Tour companies like Astronomy Adventures and Night Sky Adventures offer evening tours of New Mexico’s night skies, guided by experts who help you navigate the expansive universe above.
Sleep Under the Stars in New Mexico
Stargazing and telescope astronomy are accessible at virtually any campground or national park in New Mexico. The Cosmic Campground in the Gila Wilderness is a dark-sky site that prohibits light pollution, plus it offers platforms for telescope setup. Alternatively, Casitas de Gila Guesthouse provides rooms equipped with telescopes and star charts, with guided evening astronomy sessions hosted by co-owner Michael.
