According to Aleta Jackson of XCOR (see comments), Mojave Airport is now an FAA-licensed spaceport, the first inland one in history (note: probably not a permalink), as of yesterday, with Launch Site Operator License # LSO 04 009. I'm sure that it's just by coincidence, but it's just in time for Burt's flight on Monday.

[Update at 6 PM PDT]

There seems to be a lot of confusion in the comments section. When I say spaceport, I mean a place that the FAA has specifically licensed for commercial launches under American jurisdiction. As far as I know, that doesn't include, for example White Sands (which is one reason that Armadillo probably won't be able to make an X-Prize attempt this year). And it has nothing to do with Shuttle launches or landings.

"Wow," said a friend when I mentioned 'Mojave Spaceport'. "It's like living in a Heinlein novel. One of the good ones."

License LSO.04.009... hmm. I presume the 04 is the year, but the 009? Ninth such license issued up to this point, not this year, I assume... [digs]

http://ast.faa.gov/linfo_vsite/launch_sites.cfm has some blurb on the various other sites for those (like me) who don't follow too closely. I assume we'll see a FAA release next week...

First inland AMERICAN spaceport. ;->

Let's play a game... See if we can enumerate the other eight. I'll make the first try.

Wallops
White Sands
KSC/Eastern Test Range
Vandenberg
Kodiak
Barking Sands

I'm having trouble thinking of more... Anyone else??

And perhaps someone in the know can wait a few days and then post the "answer key".

- Eric.

Didn't we used to have a place in South Africa designated as a shuttle emergency strip.

And looking at the orbit pattern, Anderson AFB on Guam could possibly fit.

Rich

What about White Sands? The shuttle landed there once.

What about White Sands? The shuttle landed there once.

Never mind, I saw the above post.

Frankly, I don't care what you call it. Two friends and I are driving out there tomorrow from Texas to watch the launch. I work at NASA, but I want nothing more than a vibrant, privatized space launch industry, so that NASA can go back to working on cutting edge technology.

NASA was never meant to be the 200 pound gorilla that has elbowed out private space ventures. So I for one am rooting for any of these X Prize competitors to succeed. Then NASA can partner with and help extend these technologies to benefit private enterprise.

Godspeed Scaled Composites!
Mike