The New Mexico Spaceport Authority says the Spaceport America project could break ground next April.
It is expected to be the first-ever purpose-built commercial spaceport, the Las Cruces (N.M.) Sun-News said Wednesday.
Officials say discussions are continuing with anchor tenant Virgin Galactic, a British firm planning to send paying customers into space.
Mike Holston, the spaceport's project coordinator, said the $198 million facility could open in southern Sierra County in late 2009 or early 2010, the newspaper said.
A final draft of an Environmental Impact Statement will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration in June or July, Holston said.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International
