Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder, is in the space ship business. Blue Origin, L.L.C. is planning a test facility on a ranch north of Van Horn, Texas, according to the Van Horn Advocate:
The site, on a small portion of the ranch north of Van Horn, may be used for a variety of activities, including engine and vehicle testing, and possibly flight operations in the future. Early facilities would include an engine test stand, tank storage for fuel and water, and a general-purpose building. Flight operations could begin in as soon as six or seven years.
"Texas has been a long-standing leader in the aerospace industry and we are very excited about the possibility of locating here," said Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin's founder. Bezos is also founder and chief executive officer of Amazon.com., and a property owner in Culberson and Hudspeth Counties. "Blue Origin's facilities could help make West Texas a center for private, space-related activities."
Blue Origin is developing vehicles and technologies that will help enable an enduring human presence in space. Blue Origin is currently developing a sub-orbital space vehicle that will take off and land vertically to take three or more astronauts to the edge of space.
Under the leadership of founder, Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin has put together a team of highly qualified, experienced individuals who have played key roles in a variety of vehicle development programs, such as DC-X, Sea Launch, Kistler K-1, Beal Aerospace, Space Shuttle, Iridium and National Missile Defense.
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Why Van Horn and Culberson County? Bezos told the Advocate that as a youngster he spent his summers on his grandfather's ranch in South Texas. He learned much from his experiences, among them self reliance and perseverance. Bezos said, "I hope to give my family the same experiences on my West Texas ranch now."
The ramifications for Van Horn and Culberson County could be promising. Bezos, however, was cautious to note "that it may take several years for this project to get in high gear and have a significant economic impact on the area."
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