New Mexico's high altitude, generally clear skies, and sparse population have long fostered astronomical and aerospace activities, beginning with the ancient observatories of the Chaco Canyon culture; the "Space Triangle" between Roswell, Alamogordo, and Las Cruces has seen the highest concentration rocket tests and launches. New Mexico is sometimes considered the birthplace of the U.S. space program, beginning with Goddard's design of the first liquid fuel rocket in Roswell in the 1930s. The first rocket to reach space flew from White Sands Missile Range in 1948, and both NASA and the Department of Defense continue to develop and test rockets there and at the adjacent Holloman Air Force Base. New Mexico has also become a major center for private space flight, hosting the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America, which anchors several major aerospace companies and associated contractors, most notably Branson's Virgin Galactic.
new mexico's high altitude generally clear skies and sparse population have long fostered astronomical and aerospace activities beginning with the ancient observatories of the chaco canyon culture; the "space triangle" between roswell alamogordo and las cruces has seen the highest concentration rocket tests and launches new mexico is sometimes considered the birthplace of the us space program beginning with goddard's design of the first liquid fuel rocket in roswell in the 1930s the first rocket to reach space flew from white sands missile range in 1948 and both nasa and the department of defense continue to develop and test rockets there and at the adjacent holloman air force base new mexico has also become a major center for private space flight hosting the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport spaceport america which anchors several major aerospace companies and associated contractors most notably branson's virgin galactic