DELTA, Utah (KUTV) — A draft study recommends that Utah focus its first spaceport development work near Delta, while preserving Green River West as a possible site for future operations.
The study, prepared for the Utah Legislature’s Spaceport Exploration Committee in preparation for its October 30th meeting, evaluated seven candidate areas: Delta, Wendover, Green River, Promontory, Bluff, Kanab and Vernal.
It identifies Delta as the preferred location for initial launch and reentry development, with Green River West as a potential complement as the program grows.
MORE: Utah senator proposes study to explore potential benefits of a state spaceport
The report says Utah could support orbital launch and reentry, along with testing, manufacturing and other space-related activities.
It recommends a phased approach that would begin with state leadership, site control, federal licensing and environmental review. Initial infrastructure would be built as demand and customer commitments develop.
The study estimates that a mature spaceport program could support about 450 to 650 permanent jobs statewide and produce roughly $125 million in annual economic output at steady state.
Utah Spaceport Study FlyerPDF previewPreview PDF
The report also estimates that initial infrastructure could cost between $35 million and $75 million, depending on the site.
The study says economic output does not equal state revenue or net fiscal benefit. It also says the timing and amount of activity at a Utah site would depend on licensing, vehicle development, customer commitments, infrastructure and market conditions.
The report recommends the Legislature authorize and fund the next stage of planning, with Delta as the near-term focus and Green River West and other locations kept as options.
The study says federal licensing and environmental approvals remain subject to further review.
Utah ExecSum Spaceport Selection n Econ ImpactPDF previewPreview PDF
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