Cecil Field and Space Travel

[macbeth25]

I apologize in advance if this topic is already in the system.  I tried looking for it but had no luck.  If it's already here, please refer me to the correct spot.

I've read several places that there has been some consideration given to using Cecil Field as a space terminal.  Here's one of the citations: http://www.parabolicarc.com/2009/05/15/residents-cecil-field-spaceport-jiggy/.  I haven't kept up on space flight so I don't know how well the idea of commercial space travel is going.  I do remember someone winning a million dollar or something like that prize for launching a "shuttle" twice.  They do what's called a "horizontal" launch where they take the shuttle up piggyback on a 747 or some other large aircraft and launch from altitude.  That's what was proposed for Cecil Field.  Has anyone kept up with this?  The cited story mentions meetings and I'm just wondering where that's going.

[Ocklawaha]

Former active Naval Station at Green Cove Springs, FL, aka: NAS LEE FIELD

The private space cadets that made it into outer space with their small aircraft have done as much for the moon walk possibility. Don't hold your breath waiting for our own "unique" Cecil Field to launch or recover space craft. Frankly almost every city which saw the last couple of rounds of base closings claims to have a corner on the US SPACEPORT. There are more Spaceports then states and the number continues to rise in naive speculation. With only two working space vehicles looks to me like a long, long, time before there is even a demand.

Meanwhile...

We could bring the Navy back to Cecil by building an all new base within some of the conservation land. Runways could be used for this at Cecil, Whitehouse, Lee Field (Green Cove Springs), Lake City or Camp Blanding. Any of the above would beat the heck out of Virginia Beach. Alas, we seem more intent on dreaming of the Jetsons then the more realistic drama "Airplane."

OCKLAWAHA

[macbeth25]

Former active Naval Station at Green Cove Springs, FL, aka: NAS LEE FIELD
With only two working space vehicles looks to me like a long, long, time before there is even a demand.

OCKLAWAHA

You’re probably just considering NASA’s shuttles. I don’t think it’s going to be all that long before there are commercial space vehicles such as described in this website: http://www.virgingalactic.com/
I think having such a system here at Cecil Field would bring a lot of business and money to Jacksonville.  I wonder how long it will take â€" and if some other city or country will gain from this instead of us.