The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Air & Space Port is a spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state. The Federal Aviation Administration granted a license to the site in June 2006 to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to "oversee the takeoff and landing of suborbital, reusable launch vehicles". It also boasts the first space flight corridor, "The Infinity One"- which is about 152 miles long and averages about 50 miles wide - that is not in restricted airspace and does not interfere with Military Operations Areas. The facility is still listed as an FAA currently-licensed launch site as of June 2020. Individual operators must also secure a separate license in order to make space flights from the facility.
Facilities
The airpark is at the site of a public airfield known as Clinton-Sherman Airport. The airport covers an area of which contains two concrete paved runways: 17R/35L measuring 13,503 x. and 17L/35R measuring 5,193 x 75 ft.. The larger of these, at 13,503 x 200 ft is a major benefit for use as a spaceport. For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2020, the airport is on track for 30,000 aircraft operations, an average of 82 per day: 90% military and 10% general aviation. The location is a 2,700 acre facility located near transportation corridors such as Interstate 35 and Interstate 40. There are 96 acres of parking space able to support large commercial aircraft. There are six commercial aircraft hangars and a 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with loading docks adjacent to a railway spur.
One company, Rocketplane Kistler, formerly based in Oklahoma, had plans to build a spacecraft, but filed for bankruptcy in 2010 without having successfully launched a flight. Armadillo Aerospace conducted flight test Activities at the Oklahoma Spaceport in 2004 through 2009, including tests of a VTVL Lander and a Rocket Racer for the Rocket Racing League. The former northeast 'alert pads' and ready facility of the former Strategic Air Command base currently houses the Law Enforcement Driver Training Center of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Currently referred to as 'Building 120', the former bunker facility houses OHP Academy staff and cadets during the driving training portion of 'Patrol Schools'. The annual 'Cadet Lawman Academy', is also located at the same facility during the summer, which provides a 1-week program for high school students. The surrounding facility and tarmac incorporates over 12 miles of various roadways and courses, used for precision driving and emergency vehicle operation training. This facility is recognized as one of the top ranked law enforcement driver training centers in the country, according to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Large aerospace companies are attracted to the site not only because of the length and size of the runway, but also the fact that there are no obstructions around either end. Boeing in 2013 used the facility for testing an autonomous landing system for the 737, and in 2015 for proficiency training and flight testing with the 747-800. As of February 2020, Boeing intends to utilize the facility for flight tests on their 777X model, as well as for the recertification test flights of their 737-MAX.
