Spaceport Camden

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Spaceport Camden
Spaceport Camden logo.png
Summary
LocationWoodbine, Georgia
Coordinates 30°55′39″N81°30′53″W / 30.92750°N 81.51472°W / 30.92750; -81.51472

Spaceport Camden was a proposed commercial spaceport in Camden County, Georgia, near the city of Woodbine. The site tested the largest solid rocket motor ever fired as part of the Apollo Program and Camden County, Georgia was originally considered as a NASA launch site in the 1960s. Spaceport Camden began limited development as a rocket launch facility in early 2014, with its first launch taking place in August 2017, reaching 5,000 ft (1,524 m). While it had government support, it was met with local push back, and the project was ultimately scrapped in 2023.

Contents

History

During the early 1960s, Camden County in Georgia was considered by NASA as a potential launch site for the Apollo program. [1] A site on Merritt Island, Florida, near the existing Cape Canaveral launch pads, was selected instead; [2] however some rocket testing for the Apollo program took place on the Georgia site. [3]

In November 2012, the Camden County Joint Development Authority voted unanimously to "explore developing an aero-spaceport facility" at an Atlantic coastal site to support both horizontal and vertical launch operations, in hopes of attracting a SpaceX launch facility. [4] SpaceX selected a location near Brownsville, Texas for its launch site. [5] However, in June 2015, the county authorized environmental studies, purchasing a former industrial location used by Bayer CropScience and solid rocket motor manufacturer Thiokol to pursue the development of a spaceport. [2] [6] At the time, it was believed that the site, comprising 400 acres (160 ha), [7] could see launches begin by 2020. [2]

In March 2017, despite opposition from Cumberland Island residents concerned about disturbance to Cumberland Island National Seashore and the possibility of injuries and damage from launches, [3] and belief that the Federal Aviation Administration was unlikely to authorize launches due to the fact that launch trajectories would pass over inhabited areas, [8] the Georgia General Assembly approved legislation offering limited liability protection against spaceflight participant injury claims related to launches from the proposed spaceport, [9] and in May Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 1. [10] A 2017 study by Georgia Southern University determined that the spaceport could provide $22.5 million in yearly revenue to the region. [11]

In March 2018, the FAA, the US regulatory agency for spaceports, approved the "draft status" of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the spaceport. [12] On 20 December 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a launch site operator license for Spaceport Camden with a flight trajectory limited to a 100-degree azimuth. [13] [14]

In March 2022, the project was rejected by Camden county voters in a referendum. [15] Despite this, county representatives nonetheless attempted to move forward with the acquisition of the property while executing numerous legal maneuvers to invalidate the referendum, including an appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court on whether the voters had any right to override the county's decisions under the state constitution's Home Rule.

In February 2023, the court unanimously agreed that the constitution allows the electorate to amend or repeal ordinances, resolutions, or regulations, and that the referendum was subsequently valid and enforceable. [16]

As of 2023, the investors have called off the project, and the property is on sale. [17]

Facilities and operations

External image
Searchtool.svg The Vector-R is launched at Spaceport Camden. [18]

The planned facilities at Spaceport Camden include a vertical launch site and a control center, with provision for viewing facilities. [3] Up to twelve launches and twelve landings a year would be permitted. [3] The construction of an innovation and research park at the spaceport has been proposed to attract additional technology-based industry and create jobs. [19]

In April 2017, Vector Space Systems announced that they would use the Spaceport Camden site to conduct a suborbital rocket test that summer. [20] On 2 August 2017, the first launch from Spaceport Camden, of a Vector-R rocket, successfully took place. [21]

In 2018, ABL Space Systems signed a lease with Camden County, Georgia for future operations in Spaceport Camden. [22]

On 20 December 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an operator license for Spaceport Camden. [23] [24]

Launch history

LaunchDate (UTC)VehiclePayloadLaunch padResultRemarks
12 August 2017, 16:15 Vector-R Two customer payloads; imaging and medicinal researchHarriett's Bluff RoadSuccessSuborbital flight; launch took place from a trailer; the peak altitude was about 5,000 ft (1,524 m). [25] [26] [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camden County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Camden County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2020 census, its population was 54,768. Its county seat is Woodbine, and the largest city is Kingsland. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. It is the 11th-largest county in the state of Georgia by area, and the 41st-largest by population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallops Flight Facility</span> American spaceport in Virginia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Air and Space Port</span> Airport in Colorado, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska</span> Commercial rocket launch facility in Alaska

The Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA), formerly known as the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC), is a dual-use commercial and military spaceport for sub-orbital and orbital launch vehicles. The facility is owned and operated by the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, a corporation owned by the Government of Alaska, and is located on Kodiak Island in Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Office of Commercial Space Transportation</span>

The Office of Commercial Space Transportation is the branch of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that approves any commercial rocket launch operations — that is, any launches that are not classified as model, amateur, or "by and for the government" — in the case of a U.S. launch operator and/or a launch from the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark</span> Airport in Oklahoma, United States of America

The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Air & Space Port is a spaceport in Washita County, Oklahoma, near the town of Burns Flat. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a license to the site in June 2006 to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to "oversee the takeoff and landing of suborbital, reusable launch vehicles." It also boasts the first space flight corridor, "The Infinity One"—which is about 152 miles long and averages about 50 miles wide—that is not in restricted airspace and does not interfere with Military Operations Areas (MOAs). The facility is an FAA licensed launch site, one of only 12 in the U.S. Individual operators must also secure a separate license in order to make space flights from the facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spaceport America</span> Spaceport located in New Mexico, U.S.

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Corn Ranch, commonly referred to as Launch Site One (LSO), is a spaceport owned and operated by Blue Origin which is located approximately 30 miles north of the town of Van Horn, Texas, United States.

Cecil Airport is a public airport and commercial spaceport located in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and services military aircraft, corporate aircraft, general aviation, and air cargo. The Florida Army National Guard's primary Army Aviation Support Facility and the U.S. Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) are also located here, the former operating CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk, UH-72 Lakota and C-12 Huron aircraft, and the latter operating the MH-65C Dolphin helicopter.

St. Marys Airport was a public use airport located two nautical miles north of the central business district of St. Marys, a city in Camden County, Georgia, United States. It is owned by the St. Mary's Airport Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 46</span> Launch complex in Florida, US

The Space Launch Complex 46 (SLC-46), previously Launch Complex 46 (LC-46), is a launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station operated under license by Space Florida previously used for Athena rocket launches. It has been used by Astra, which will continue the use with Rocket 4 and maybe 5 and will be used by ABL Space Systems for the near-term use by RS1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX Starbase</span> SpaceX private launch site

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX facilities</span> Launch facilities used by SpaceX

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vector-R</span> Two stage Launch vehicle, 60 kg payload to LEO

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Spaceport Authority</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SaxaVord Spaceport</span> Spaceport on Unst, Scotland

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABL Space Systems</span> American space launch technology company

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References

  1. ↑ Dilsaver, Lary M. (2004). Cumberland Island National Seashore: A History of Conservation Conflict. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press. p. 63. ISBN   0-8139-2268-2 . Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Chapman, Dan (30 July 2015). "Camden County sky high on spaceport plan, but others want it grounded". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, GA. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Landers, Mary (25 February 2017). "Camden spaceport promises jobs, threatens islands". Savannah Morning News . Savannah, GA. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  4. ↑ Dickson, Terry (16 November 2012). "Camden County wants to open Georgia's first spaceport". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Berger, Eric (4 August 2014). "Texas, SpaceX announce spaceport deal near Brownsville". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "FAA moving forward on proposed spaceport". The Brunswick News . Brunswick, GA. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  7. ↑ Karkaria, Urvaksh; Dave Williams (31 July 2017). "Go for launch: Rocket receives approval for Georgia's first commercial spaceport". Atlanta Business Chronicle . Atlanta, GA. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "FAA provides update on status of proposed Georgia spaceport". Athens Banner-Herald . Athens, GA. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  9. ↑ Williams, Dave (23 March 2017). "Spaceport Camden bill gains final passage in General Assembly". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Atlanta, GA. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  10. ↑ Barger, Malissa (2018). "HB 1 - Space Flight". Georgia State University Law Review Reading Room. Atlanta, Georgia. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Study: Spaceport Camden could generate more than $22M in revenue each year". WJXT . Jacksonville, FL. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  12. ↑ https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/03/12/georgias-spaceport-dream-takes-giant-leap-toward.html
  13. ↑ "Record of Decision for Spaceport Camden Final Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). 20 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "FAA grants operator license for Spaceport Camden". 20 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Landers, Mary (4 January 2023). "Spaceport project in limbo but spending continues". The Current. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  16. ↑ Supreme Court of Georgia (7 February 2023). Decision S22A0837. CAMDEN COUNTY v. SWEATT, et al.
  17. ↑ Clark, Stephen (25 August 2023). "Rocket Report: DOJ sues SpaceX; a look inside doomed Spaceport Camden". Ars Technica. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  18. ↑ Russell, Kendall (4 August 2017). "Vector Launches First Ever Rocket from Spaceport Camden". Satellite Today. Via Satellite. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  19. ↑ "Camden County promotes innovation, research park". WJXT. Jacksonville, FL. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "Georgia's Space Industry Gets Ready To Blast Off". WABE. Atlanta, GA. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  21. ↑ Henning, Allyson (2 August 2017). "Camden Spaceport sees 1st launch". WJXT. Jacksonville, FL. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  22. ↑ "ABL Space Systems Signs Lease with JDA to Begin Operations in Camden County". Business Wire. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  23. ↑ "Record of Decision for Spaceport Camden Final Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). 20 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "FAA grants operator license for Spaceport Camden". 20 December 2021.
  25. ↑ "Vector Successfully Launches First Ever Rocket from Spaceport Camden". PR Newswire. Cision. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  26. ↑ Dickson, Terry (3 August 2017). "Small rocket flies from planned Spaceport Camden". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, FL. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  27. ↑ Henning, Allyson (2 August 2017). "Camden Spaceport sees 1st launch". Jacksonville, FL: WJXT. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
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