Las Cruces, New Mexico will soon be welcoming 100+ rocket teams from universities across twelve countries and twenty-nine US states comprising over 1,000 aerospace engineering students from for the first annual Spaceport America Cup from June 20-24th.
Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport and the global headquarters for Virgin Galactic’s spaceliner, is located North of Las Cruces off Interstate 25. The Spaceport America Cup is the world’s largest rocket engineering competition and the spaceport is opening up the vertical launch area to spectators during launch days for the first time.
After the opening Conference Day in Las Cruces, the rocketeers will head out to Spaceport America’s vertical launch area to prepare for three days of launching approximately 100 solid, liquid, and hybrid rockets to target altitudes of 10,000 and 30,000 feet. United Launch Alliance will also be launching the world’s largest sport rocket towering 53 foot tall carrying 16 payloads from K-12 classrooms. Spectators are welcome to come and join in the excitement. There will be viewing areas set up and teams will be able to show off their rockets after recovery.[minti_spacer][minti_newdivider line_color="#dd3333"][minti_spacer][minti_headline color="#ef0c04" align="align-left"]Tuesday, June 20 – Conference Day[/minti_headline]Tuesday, June 20 – Conference Day - Open to the public with free admission 9 am – 5 pm
Official opening of inaugural Spaceport America Cup with Conference Day, Podium, and Poster Sessions. Las Cruces Convention Center located at 680 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001.[vc_column_text>
[minti_spacer][minti_newdivider line_color="#dd3333"][minti_spacer][minti_headline color="#ef0c04" align="align-left"]Thursday, June 22 - Friday, June 23[/minti_headline]Spectators are welcome for Spaceport America Cup launch days: Thursday, June 22nd, Friday, June 23rd and Saturday, June 24th at Spaceport America’s vertical launch area open to the public at 7:30 am each day. Admission is $10.00 for one day and $20.00 for a three-day pass. Buy your ticket today as space is limited: http://bit.ly/2q3KojF [vc_column_text>
[minti_spacer][minti_newdivider line_color="#dd3333"][minti_spacer]Food and beverage are available for purchase. This event is recommended for children 6 years and older due to outdoor conditions. Please don’t forget to bring your own lawn chair, sunscreen, water, and hat. You are welcome to bring your own hand held umbrellas. No coolers, alcohol, drugs, weapons or non–service animals are allowed on site.
Spaceport America highly recommends all vehicles travel to the site via Truth or Consequences, NM on NM-51, turning South at Engle on A013 and then East on A039 into the site entrance. It takes approximately 50 minutes to drive from Truth or Consequences to the site entrance. All adult spectators will be required to present government-issued photo-ID.