Far out plans for Ellington Airport UNDER WAY

Commercial space travel, deep space exploration, world class aeronautical training and a thriving business community could all come together at Ellington Airport if the director of Houston Airport System has his way. Diaz said NASA's new Space Launch System, with promises to offer greater capabilities for human space exploration, the possibility of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University building a campus at Ellington and advancement of private sector space flight, combined with the city's robust research and business sectors could thrust Ellington into the forefront of commercial space programs. Meantime, expansion plans for the 2,300 acre site, a joint-use airport with three runways combining commercial aviation and military and NASA operations, are under way. Dan Seal, executive director of special initiatives for the Bay Area Economic Partnership, said with the flat aerospace industry and recent loss of 3,000 jobs connected to Johnson Space Center, development at Ellington is a shot in the arm.