Space race: QC airport might be in running to be a spaceport

The Quad Cities International Airport could one day be home to a spaceport that is used to launch and receive jet-like spacecraft from runways, deliver cargo to orbit and even help with a mission to Mars.  That’s the vision of airport and congressional leaders who want the local airport to be on the cutting edge […]

The Quad Cities International Airport could one day be home to a spaceport that is used to launch and receive jet-like spacecraft from runways, deliver cargo to orbit and even help with a mission to Mars.  That’s the vision of airport and congressional leaders who want the local airport to be on the cutting edge of technology and part of the emerging global commercial space transportation industry.

“We want this in our backyard because it's all positive,” said Ben Leischner, executive director of the Quad Cities International airport, on Monday, Oct. 9, before giving U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, an informal airport tour. Mr. Sorensen, who is a ranking member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, was at the Moline airport to talk with employees and look over some of the facilities. He was also in the region to discuss the long-term future of the airport. That future, he believes, could one day include being home to a spaceport. “We’ve got to look out 10, 20, 30 years,” he said. Bringing a spaceport to the Quad Cities “could cause immense growth in the region.”  Mr. Leischner said discussions about creating that spaceport in the QC are in the early and information stages. However, officials want to get the community to start thinking about the possibilities and positive aspects of eventually bringing commercial space transportation to the region. Mr. Sorensen on Monday outlined some of the reasons he believes the Quad Cities could be a great place for a spaceport. They include:

• The QC airport has room to grow. Many airports, especially those in Chicago, are already extremely busy and congested. They offer little opportunity for the growth needed to become a spaceport.
• The Quad Cities is located relatively near many cities, including Chicago and Minneapolis. This proximity means supplies that will be shipped into space could easily and quickly get to the local airport for their journeys. Also, many of those supplies will be built in the region and will have a relatively short trip to the airport.
• The airport’s existing runways could be used for “horizontal-launch spacecraft.” Mr. Sorensen said the spacecraft of the future will look much like today’s jets and will be able to use the runways.
• A spaceport in the QC would be great for the regional economy and create many new jobs.
• The Quad Cities region has often been open to changes and technological advancements. The region has a tradition of having “forward thinkers” who would welcome a spaceport, said Mr. Leischner.

But even with these advantages, a possible spaceport is a long-term goal – probably 20 years or more in the future. Mr. Leischner added there will be many steps to take in the meantime, such as a feasibility study, getting public input and input from other stakeholders on the issue, and, ultimately getting the approval for a spaceport from the Federal Aviation Administration. That agency already has an Office of Spaceports that lists some of the government’s goals and visions for developing the ports. Those FAA goals include:

• Strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. commercial space transportation infrastructure and launch services encouraging innovation and strategic partnerships for spaceport future planning and development.
• Modernize the regulation of U.S. launch and reentry sites to promote increased public safety for the growing commercial space transportation industry.
• Collaborate with countries developing launch or reentry sites to promulgate U.S. commercial space transportation regulations and best practices for safety during launch and reentry activities to support the U.S. as a global leader in the commercial space transportation industry.

Mr. Leischner said the FAA has made it clear that it wants to limit the number of spaceport licenses it grants. Currently, the FAA has granted 14 spaceport operator licenses to create spaceports across the U.S. Even though the journey will be long and complicated, the Quad Cities International Airport needs to work with federal and local officials to “stay in the front of the line” for spaceport consideration, said Mr. Sorensen. “We don’t want to sit back and not at least look into this,” Mr. Leischner added.