El Prospero: A New Frontier: From Land of Enchantment to Space

New Mexico has deep roots in developing space technology and contributing to our nation’s space program. At a time when few Americans recognized the true potential of rocketry, physicist Robert Goddard moved to Roswell to conduct his research in 1930. While living there, he developed various new rocket systems, and launched the first flight in which a liquid fuel rocket broke the sound barrier. Goddard would become known as the man who helped usher in the Space Age.

Sen. Clinton P. Anderson of New Mexico was instrumental in championing space exploration and NASA as chairman of the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Science during the climax of the “Space Race” with the Soviet Union.

After successful missile launches at White Sands Missile Range in 1963, it was New Mexico Gov. Jack Campbell who asked President John F. Kennedy to base the first inland aerospace port in our state. It was NASA astronaut and Senator from New Mexico Harrison Schmitt who was the 12th person to set foot on the moon.

As we move forward, I will use my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee to ensure New Mexico continues to play a significant role in the development of civil and defense space technology.

Whether it’s the Space Vehicles Directorate, Space Test Program, Operationally Responsive Space program and Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland Air Force Base; White Sands Missile Range, Spaceport America or the NASA White Sands Test Facility, New Mexico helps provide the testing and operational assets, experience, and expertise to deliver the technologies our country relies on for our national defense and the most adventurous commercial ventures in existence today.

Plus, our state’s colleges and universities – including New Mexico State University – are home to some of the most prestigious science and technology programs in the country. Federal investments in and partnerships with these institutions help advance space research and exploration.

Recently, I introduced a bipartisan bill that would fix outdated laws to allow for more advancement in the commercial spaceflight industry. I look forward to working with the Commerce Committee to pass or include this legislation in the reauthorization of the Commercial Space Launch Act.

I’m also pleased to highlight NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program, which provides access to microgravity and suborbital flights to test innovative technologies that advance or enable future missions. The program has supported the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium’s Student Launch Program, through which middle school, high school and university students compete to send their own experiments to space. Developing and conducting these experiments is an invaluable and exciting learning tool, and I am working to ensure students continue to have access to these kinds of experiences with space.

As we experience the dawn of the new era of commercial space travel, New Mexico is positioned to be a leading partner. But none of these future opportunities will be possible without the next generation of engineers and scientists.

The space industry will undoubtedly rely heavily on future Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) leaders, so I ask businesses in these fields to get involved with local schools. Steps including hosting and participating in competitions, mentoring and working with afterschool programs can garner invaluable rewards.

The American innovative spirit touches everyone, and I encourage business leaders and entrepreneurs across Doña Ana County to keep forging ahead and keep exploring. Some of the greatest human achievements of space exploration are within grasp. Let’s seize those opportunities.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the United States Senate