Assembly backs spaceport

Friday, June 6, 1997 | 5:48 a.m.

The Seattle-based corporation is developing the world's first fully reusable aerospace launch vehicle and wants to use the test site as a launch site for communications satellites.

"This project will serve as an anchor for a high-tech business center to help replace jobs lost here because of federal downsizing," Gov. Bob Miller said in a prepared statement.

The U.S. Department of Energy has given permission for Kistler to place a satellite launch site in the northwest section of the test site. The first test launch is scheduled for mid 1998.

Kistler officials want to launch into orbit satellites for use by communication companies and the Internet between 400 and 1,000 miles above the Earth's surface.

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