LOCAL NEWS

What’s a spaceport? Bill rekindles Utah’s efforts to explore final frontier

Jan 26, 2025, 3:33 PM

The launch of NASA's Artemis I mission in July 2024. A proposed Utah bill would establish a new com...

The launch of NASA's Artemis I mission in July 2024. A proposed Utah bill would establish a new commitee to explore the state's spaceport potential. (Northrop Grumman)

(Northrop Grumman)

SALT LAKE CITY — A new bill could help Utah review its potential to explore the final frontier.

Members of the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to advance SB62, which would create a new Spaceport Exploration Committee. The committee would be tasked to review Utah’s space travel potential.

“There’s lots of things going on in space over the next few years and next many years, and we certainly want to be part of that,” Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, the bill’s sponsor, told reporters before presenting his bill to the committee. “Between the military and the private sector, both, we have everything we need. … We have all the basics.”

Spaceports are essentially airports for spacecraft, Space.com notes. Many government and commercial entities now use them to launch satellites, rockets and other types of spacecraft.

While the idea sounds futuristic, what’s being proposed isn’t entirely new even for Utah.

The late Utah Sen. Ralph Preece authored SB121 in 1971, directing the governor — Gov. Cal Rampton at the time — to create a spaceport steering committee to “assemble factual data” that would be presented to NASA. It would also explore the feasibility of a port in western Utah.

It was 1 of 4 states in the running at the time, said Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, who explained a bit of the history to her colleagues during Thursday’s meeting.

“We lost because we were not next to the ocean for bringing cargo back in,” she said, a detail that gave an edge to states like California, Florida, and Texas.

Stevenson’s bill would direct $1 million from the Industrial Assistance Fund to rekindle those conversations five decades later, with space travel again piquing American interest, including civilian space travel.

Under the proposal, the new committee would be composed of two members selected by the president of the Senate, two people selected by the speaker of the House, as well as as the directors or designees of the Utah Inland Port Authorit,y and several aerospace technology, missions, defense or similar fields from the various public and private sectors.

The committee would again explore the feasibility of a spaceport, while also establishing “key objectives that the state should pursue” in the endeavor. The team would also work to assess potential sites and weigh the pros and cons before making recommendations about what’s in the state’s “best interest” to the Utah Legislature.

Stevenson said he believes Utah is well-positioned for a spaceport because it already has Hill Air Force Base and Utah Test and Training Range, as well as vast open space in the West Desert and in eastern Utah for drops and pickups.

Many of the state’s airports also have wide runways that could accommodate the types of launches that operate similarly to passenger airlines, he added. All of the state’s major universities teach pre-engineering and engineering courses, which could help establish a workforce around the industry, as well.

Companies that specialize in the field like Northrop Grumman and 47G also have a growing presence in Utah.

“We’re just in an amazing spot for this,” Stevenson said. “We could sit back and watch this happen before us, or we could be part of it. And when Utah does things, we will lead.”

Members of the committee agreed.

Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Murray, called it an “exciting program,” while Millner said Utah could “have a chance to make a difference” as other states also explore the concept.

“I think what’s changed now is that it’s not just NASA putting out spaceflights,” Millner said. “This business has now become something that private industry is doing, and I’ve heard from more than one that we need more launch places.”

The bill will go into effect on May 7, should it be approved by the Utah Senate and House of Representatives by the end of the legislative session in March. The committee would then disband on July 1, 2027, unless the date is extended.

Contributing: Brigham Tomco

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

A driver hit and damaged two homes on Bald Eagle Way in Eagle Mountain on Monday, Feb.10, 2025. (Co...

Carlysle Price

Driver hits, damages two homes in Eagle Mountain

A driver hit and damaged two homes in Eagle Mountain Monday.

18 minutes ago

Weber Fire District crews arriving at the scene of the storage unit fire on Monday morning....

Michael Houck

Weber firefighters narrowly beat passing train to fight storage unit fire

A train almost made firefighters late to a storage unit fire Monday morning.

2 hours ago

Provo fire officials said they are pouring through information sent from bystanders, but that the p...

Karah Brackin

Looking for clues after destructive Provo fire

Provo Fire is working to piece together a puzzle and learn exactly what started a fire that destroyed three buildings.

4 hours ago

Downtown Salt Lake City from the Avenues on Dec. 27, 2024. The Astra Tower, seen here lit in differ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Salt Lake City is about to get another weather beacon. Here’s what this one will forecast

Salt Lake City's buildings will offer more than weather forecasts beginning later this month.

4 hours ago

The Giving Grinch dressed up for Valentine's Day,...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: The Giving Grinch spreading Valentine’s Day love

The Giving Grinch, a local non-profit, is looking to spread some love in the community this Valentine's Day.

5 hours ago

A Unified Police Department vehicle sits in a neighborhood in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, Feb....

Michael Houck

SWAT arrests man suspected of robbing a Utah bank and sending threats to another

A man is accused of robbing a bank and stealing a dollar amount to reference the 9/11 attacks last week.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

What’s a spaceport? Bill rekindles Utah’s efforts to explore final frontier