People may soon have to trade in their conventional travel passports for something a little more in the near future. The construction of Spaceport America, the world's first commercial spaceport, in New Mexico is already being planned out.

The design was provided by engineering enterprise URS Corporation teamed and Foster + Partners which  is based in the United Kingdom. The 100,000 square-foot facility will serve as the primary airbase for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic suborbital spaceliner, as well as the headquarters for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.

Spaceport America's hanger can support two White Knight Two carrier aircraft and five SpaceShipTwo spaceliners. Both vessel types now under construction at Scaled Composites in Mojave, California. The design for the terminal incorporates the natural earth as a berm while relying on passive energy for heating an cooling, with photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling capabilities.

A concrete roof will be built with massive window openings with a view of the runway and spacecraft. The construction of the spaceport will begin in 2008 with a projected completion date in late 2009 or early 2010. Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic explains the company's purpose and goal:

The deal between New Mexico and URS working with Sir Norman Foster will produce a spectacular, but very environmentally efficient landmark for the new era of space travel. The design for Spaceport America is not only breathtaking but also practical which is also what I believe SpaceShipTwo and its launch aircraft WhiteKnight Two will be regarded as when their respective designs are unveiled next January.