Achieving a Historic Milestone in 2019

The future is now. For nearly a decade New Mexico has partnered with Virgin Galactic to take tourism out of this world to new heights. During an interview today on “CBS This Morning,” Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group said 2019 is the golden year, “I will hope to go up in the middle of this year myself.” Virgin Galactic is planning a few more test flights in Mojave before launching from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. 
 
“We are beyond excited to hear about all the new developments Virgin Galactic is making each day and inching closer to providing an incredible, once in a lifetime experience,” NMTD Cabinet Secretary Jen Schroer said, ”this is a testament to New Mexico as we continue to be pioneers in science and technology.”
 
New Mexicans have been leading and paving the way for centuries. The New Mexico True Science and Technology Trail is proof.  The Land of Enchantment, long known as the birthplace of the atomic bomb, giant balloons to UFO (if you’re a believer), continues to change the future through energy and nanotechnology. 
 
“As tourism professionals, we understand people are curious about the unknown and want to explore new adventures, which is why we are ecstatic to support Virgin Galactic in creating a whole new kind of tourism,” Secretary Schroer said. 
 
Just as relevant as it was in 1969, the famous quote by Dr. Buzz Aldrin aboard Apollo 11, still resonates today – “We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown.”
 
The Tourism Department is thrilled to be working with cities and counties across the state to prepare for this monumental moment. There are 600 people on the waiting list to experience space tourism.