What happened: The Midland International Air & Space Port has secured a $5 million grant from the Texas Space Commission to build the first commercial vertical rocket launch site in the U.S., located in Reeves County.

Why it matters: This launch site will be open to multiple aerospace companies, offering a commercial alternative in an industry dominated by federal or single-operator facilities.

The big picture: While the current spaceport supports suborbital testing and hypersonic development, this new site will mark the region’s first capability for orbital rocket launches. It will also be the world’s first commercially available inland vertical launch site. The Texas Space Commission’s investment is part of a broader push to make the state a hub for space innovation.

The grant comes from the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF), a statewide initiative designed to expand launch infrastructure and fund aerospace research and development. With Midland’s central location, developed infrastructure, and growing aerospace ecosystem, this site is intended to provide flexible, cost-efficient access for companies.

Catch up quick: Most vertical launch sites in the U.S. are federally run (e.g., NASA) or restricted to a single company (e.g., SpaceX’s private facilities). Midland’s model is open-access, meaning startups and major players alike can use the site for orbital missions. The Reeves County site will be about 120 miles west of Midland and is expected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028.

What’s next: Construction planning and permitting for the Reeves County site will likely begin within the year. Companies interested in using the launch site will be able to coordinate access once the infrastructure is finalized.