Paso Robles is one step closer to getting a spaceport. What’s next?
The city of Paso Robles took the next step to making its spaceport a reality Tuesday.
According to a city news release, Paso Robles is now looking for proposals to progress its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Spaceport License application to create a horizontal space launch facility at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
The last time the city discussed the Spaceport and Technology Corridor project was in March after the City Council unanimously directed staff to prepare a request for proposals to receive its licensing.
The FAA license is governed by federal regulations that require extensive technical, operational, safety and environmental review, the release said, prompting the city to now search for a consultant team with “substantial expertise” in FAA launch site licensing, spaceport planning, environmental compliance, airspace coordination and launch safety analysis.
Paso Robles has been deemed an ideal location for such a facility because of its proximity to the tech world of Silicon Valley and Vandenberg Space Force Base. The property’s 1,300 acres also allow the progression of space exploration while still supporting its already established aviation operations, the release said.
The project goes hand-in-hand with local K–12 schools, Cuesta College and Cal Poly to create education pipelines that prepare students for careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing and skilled technical trades.
“Paso Robles is taking another exciting step in becoming a leader in California’s growing aerospace economy,” Paso Robles Mayor John Hamon said in the release. “Advancing our FAA spaceport license will create new opportunities for higher paying tech jobs, attract investments in and around our Airport and open the door to future opportunities for innovation, education and technology not only in our community, but on the entire Central Coast.”
Applications for the FAA licensing proposals are due Aug. 3 with an anticipated award by September. The city then hopes to start work in October.
For more information visit the Paso Robles’ city website at prcity.com.
