Looking Into the Future of Private Space Travel in Oklahoma

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite the departure of Rocketplane, one agency said they are looking into private space travel from Oklahoma.

The group in charge of Oklahoma's space industry said the public's opinion of Rocketplane is off target.

The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, or OSIDA, said nothing about Rocketplane during its monthly meeting, but afterwards the group's chairman opened up about the company's demise.

"We were very interested in Rocketplane succeeding, but we had no direct influence over them," said OSIDA Chairman Joe King.

Joe King said Rocketplane's sudden and discreet decision to leave Oklahoma was no surprise. He said the company that promised the state a future in space travel was always transparent with OSIDA, even as Rocketplane's financial woes mounted over the years.

"Sub-orbital space business is being led by entrepreneurs and he's an entrepreneur, and as you're well aware some succeed and some don't," King said.

Those most critical of Rocketplane feel the company took advantage of nearly $18 million in state tax credits. OSIDA feels otherwise. They say Rocketplane completed their responsibilities in terms of the tax credits given.

"At one time they had 50 to 60 employees here. They moved people in. They had a very good workforce," the OSIDA Chairman said.

King said there are no hard feelings. He would welcome the return of Rocketplane to Oklahoma if the group was able to secure the funding necessary to continue the work here, but until that happens, OSIDA is moving on.

The agency said it's already in talks with other space and aviation groups that have expressed interest in using the spaceport in Burns Flat. OSIDA said it's close to securing a deal with one of those organizations. King said if all goes well, that'll happen sometime within the next 18 months.

The founder of Rocketplane, George French, is now living in Wisconsin. In addition to returning to Oklahoma, his group has also been in touch with lawmakers in Hawaii for a similar program there.

More on News9.com:

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