posted 07-14-2013 10:17 AM               

Under a preliminary concept to be discussed in a public forum Thursday and Friday in Colorado Springs, responsibilities now handled by the 45th Space Wing would be turned over to a spaceport operator approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The Air Force wants to understand issues associated with transitioning current government range operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to a commercial spaceport," reads an invitation sent to local officials.

Air Force Space Command's meeting announcement and a five-page concept summary stamped "PREDECISONAL" make clear that the study might not result in any action. If the concept were adopted — a process likely to take years — it's not yet clear if it could dramatically reshape Cape launch operations or simply provide existing services more efficiently.

posted 07-16-2013 07:47 AM               

For example, the Air Force cannot be party to any crowd-funding campaign, but a commercial operator could accept public funds, or partner with an organization that does the same.