KODIAK — Construction of the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak is near completion following a rocket explosion at the facility two years ago.
The explosion, which damaged buildings and left behind debris, occurred following a test launch of a hypersonic weapon in August 2014. Testers destroyed the rocket after they detected an anomaly.
Officials celebrated the complex’s progress at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, which included the unveiling of a newly rebuilt integrated processing facility, The Kodiak Daily Mirror reported.
The CEO of Alaska Aerospace Corporation, which operates the complex, called the rebuild “substantially complete.” Craig Campbell said contractors just have to make a few finishing touches, but he expects the work to be complete by the end of the year.
“There’s still maybe a dozen or two dozen things that need to be finalized before (the constructors’) contract is complete,” Campbell said.
The company has already secured two launch contracts, with one launch of micro-satellites by Vector Space Systems expected by early 2017. The other contract is with the Missile Defense Agency for testing of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system.
