Hold on your future holiday plansas 2008 is touted as "The Year of the Spaceship." Well its not that you can go on an out-of-this-world journey in 2008, but the construction for the worlds first Spaceport will begin then. The design project for the terminal and hangar facilities at the New Mexico-based Spaceport America was announced on September 4, 2007. And the winning proposal came from the design and architectural team of U.K.-based Foster & Partners and U.S.-based URS Corporation. Congratulations! Many terms have gone into describing this project like futuristic, organic shape, spectacular but very environmentally efficient landmark, breathtaking but also practical, and low-lying. But all I can utter is WOW! And whats more Wowing is that he terminal and hangar facility are projected to cost about $31 million! The facilities include area for the airplanes and spaceships, along with customer training facilities, mission control center, public viewing area, and passenger lounges. The structure will use passive energy for heating and cooling and photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling. The terminal hall will have 50-foot ceilings and large windows facing the runway.
