Montgomery, AL – Alabama lawmakers hope theirs can be among the first states to ferry travelers, tourists and cargo through outer space from the Southeast's first commercial spaceport.
Lineville Republican Sen. Gerald Dial says lawmakers in both chambers plan on seeing joint resolutions introduced on Tuesday to set up a panel to examine placing a spaceport in Alabama.
There are currently eight commercial spaceports in six states. Dial estimates that it could take four to six years to get one in Alabama, if the legislature approves.
Dial says the port would not be run by the state, but rather a public-private partnership between Alabama and commercial businesses.
Dial pointed to Alabama's history with the space industry, including rocket testing near Huntsville.
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