Experience Out-of-this-World Thrills in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces, New Mexico, is the place for space as the official city of Spaceport America. This summer, the destination hosts the kickoff to the 2022 Spaceport America Cup, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry conference and competition. It will showcase the talents of more than 1,700 students from around the globe, June 21–25.

“We’re thrilled to serve as the host city of the 2022 Spaceport America Cup,” said Rochelle Miller-Hernandez, director, Visit Las Cruces. “Our area has played a pivotal role in aerospace research and engineering, as well as space exploration. We invite all space enthusiasts to visit, learn from these students at the Las Cruces Convention Center, and explore the wealth of space-related activities in Las Cruces.”

In addition to the Spaceport America Cup, space lovers find plenty else to love in Las Cruces:

• White Sands Missile Range, the launching point for the rocket that took the first image of Earth from space in 1946, now displays missiles and rockets tested there.
• Visit and stargaze at Tortugas Mountain Observatory or Tombaugh Observatory.
• The Museum of Nature and Science features the Light and Space interactive exhibit and much more.
• Explore Kilbourne Hole, a National Natural Landmark and the training site for Apollo Missions 12–17.
• Take a stroll through the International Space Hall of Fame at New Mexico Museum of Space History.

“Las Cruces is proud to have been home to so much of our nation’s space history, and we’re honored to be part of the bright future of space exploration,” added Miller-Hernandez. “Visit this June and get a glimpse of the past, as well as demonstrations from incredibly bright students who are paving the way for the future of space.”