Hicks exits Spaceport America
October 21, 2020
By Chris Forrester
Spaceport America, which operates out of a desert location in New Mexico, has reportedly removed its CEO/Executive Director, Dan Hicks.
Spaceport America is home to the likes of Virgin Galactic, UP Aerospace, Exos Aerospace and others. Its owner is the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.
The Authority’s board members reportedly voted 6-1 to remove Mr Hicks who had been on administrative leave after an investigation into mismanagement and potential alleged criminal wrongdoing.
Hicks has been CEO at Spaceport America since 2016 in a facility that has received $209 million in public funding.
Virgin Galactic is preparing for its first flight from the Spaceport this autumn with its SpaceShipTwo rocket-plane. The formal flight planning window opens on October 22nd which suggests that the debut launch could happen the following week.