Spaceport America and MARS Scientific Partner to Offer "First Flight First Sight" Promotion

Calling all Commercial Space Entrepreneurs, Research and Development Operators, Aerospace Test and Evaluation Operators, Corporate and Academic Users

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Spaceport America

Apr 04, 2016, 09:00 ET

SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. and LAS CRUCES, N.M., April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, and MARS Scientific (MARS), the USA's civilian leader in telescopic spacecraft tracking and imaging, have partnered to make the entry into the sub-orbital space business easier and more affordable with First Flight First Sight*.

Spaceport America will waive the user fee for the first launch of a new customer's flight campaign and MARS is pleased to add nominal cost pricing for telescopic imaging and optical tracking for the first flight.

MARS (Mobile Aerospace Reconnaissance System) is the USA's civilian leader in high-resolution telescopic tracking and imaging of rockets, spacecraft, drones, and other aerospace vehicles.

First Flight First Sight is targeted at both established aerospace test and evaluation, research and development operators, as well as new, emerging players in the industry, including corporate and academic users. The promotion is designed to encourage new business and reduce barriers to entry for first-time customers at Spaceport America.

"We are pleased to partner with MARS to offer emerging commercial space entrepreneurs and other industry newcomers multiple incentives to fly within our 6,000 square miles of protected airspace adjacent to us at the US Army White Sands Missile Range," said Christine Anderson, Spaceport America CEO. "Post-campaign, we will keep our user fees reasonable to make it easier for space innovators and prospective tenants to achieve those first essential milestones."

Qualified flight campaigns are those that possess an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) license, waiver or permit, meet Spaceport America's environmental requirements, and that can be operated and recovered safely.

"We are excited to partner with Spaceport America in support of emerging commercial space companies," said Faith Dantowitz, CEO, MARS Scientific. "Our large, high-resolution telescopic tracking systems provide unique vehicle imagery and in-flight data that are critically important for space vehicle performance verification and validation during the initial product development cycle."

MARS Scientific owns and operates its own fleet of large tracking telescopes, including multiple ground-based Kineto Tracking Mounts (KTMs) with automatic tracking. MARS provides customers with scientific quality spatial imagery, infrared thermography, hyperspectral rocket plume imaging, rigorous safety of flight documentation, and media-ready aerospace cinematography.

Spaceport America will announce the First Flight First Sight Program at Space Access 2016, April 7-9 in Phoenix, Arizona. Interested customers should reach out to [email protected] or contact Spaceport America at 575-267-8500.

*Terms and conditions apply

About MARS Scientific
MARS (Mobile Aerospace Reconnaissance System) is the USA's civilian leader in high-resolution telescopic tracking and imaging of rockets, spacecraft, drones, and other aerospace vehicles. MARS has provided NASA, the Department of Defense, and the commercial space sectors with exceptional visible, infrared, and spectral imaging services for almost two decades, and is proud to be a New Mexico company. Visit http://MarsScientific.com for more information.

About Spaceport America
Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the US Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, boasts 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot spaceway, and 340+ days of sunshine and low humidity. Some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry are customers at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and UP Aerospace. Visit http://spaceportamerica.com and http://gatewaytospace.com for more information.

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SOURCE Spaceport America