Spaceport America Activity Highlights Student Engagement, Flight Testing, and Industry Growth

SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. — Spaceport America reported a busy first quarter of 2026, with activity ranging from military training exercises and aerospace testing to student-led rocket launches and regional education initiatives.

The commercial spaceport, located in southern New Mexico, hosted the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds earlier this year for winter training operations, one of several high-profile uses of the facility in recent months. Spaceport officials also participated in Aerospace & Aviation Day at the New Mexico Capitol, while continuing to host site visits and engage with potential industry partners.

Beyond operational activity, education and workforce development remained a visible focus.

Ten students from New Mexico State University’s Atomic Aggies program completed rocket certification milestones during the quarter, highlighting ongoing collaboration between the spaceport and university-level aerospace programs.

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In March, Spaceport America also supported a hands-on learning opportunity for students from Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences. Working with educator Sierra Maynard and with equipment provided by Estes Rockets, students launched model rockets as part of a program tied to the centennial of pioneering rocket scientist Dr. Robert H. Goddard.

The student launches were timed alongside broader recognition of Goddard’s work, including his 1926 development of the first liquid-fueled rocket—an achievement widely regarded as a foundational moment in modern rocketry.

Additional activity at the spaceport included continued aerospace testing, highlighted by the inaugural flight of the Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, an experimental high-speed aircraft prototype. Facility crews also supported logistical operations on-site, including maintenance efforts such as the cleaning of a large ceremonial American flag.

Spaceport America, which serves as a hub for commercial aerospace, testing, and research, continues to position itself as both an industry asset and an educational resource, connecting students and institutions from our broader community to emerging opportunities in science and engineering.