FAA approves measure that will allow space planes to land at Las Vegas Spaceport – NEW RENDERINGS

The Federal Aviation Administration approved an amendment to the airport application for Las Vegas Executive Airport, also known as the Las Vegas Spaceport, that includes a 1,000-foot runway extension.

By extending the planned runway from 4,000 to 5,001 feet, the spaceport should be able to accommodate space planes that are in development by several companies. New renderings also have been unveiled for the project.

Boeing and Virgin Galactic are among the companies working on space planes.

Instead of vertical rocket launches, space planes would have the ability to take off and land horizontally to achieve orbit.

Robert Lauer, CEO of the spaceport project, said a decision was reached to extend the runway for the airstrip, 31 miles west of Las Vegas in Clark County near Pahrump, and his company submitted amendments to the FAA and the county.

In a release, Lauer said amendments were submitted about three months ago and now that approvals have been made, the company can complete a drainage study for the property and receive a grading permit to start work on the runway.

Lauer envisions a three-phase project with the runway, taxiways and other infrastructure slated first, hangars and a fixed-base-operator terminal in the second phase, and spaceport licensing, a hotel and an academy scheduled last.

The company also is vying to be publicly traded on the Nasdaq exchange.

This month, Lauer indicated he hopes to initiate helicopter service between the airport and Las Vegas with an Uber-style air taxi ride-hailing service called UpWin.

UpWin would create a network of strategically located landing sites across Las Vegas, making air travel accessible for short trips. With flights averaging just three minutes, the service aims to transport thousands of people daily — day and night — at a price point comparable with Uber, as low as $30 to $40 for a single trip.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.