[Satellite TODAY 01-14-10] The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) has been granted a license by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a commercial, horizontal launch spaceport at Cecil Field, Fla., the JAA announced Jan. 13.
    During a horizontal launch, a spacecraft takes off and lands horizontally. Cecil Field has a 12,500-foot-long main runway and is relatively close to the open skies over the Atlantic Ocean. As part of receiving a license to operate a spaceport, the JAA and FAA conducted an environmental study and a comprehensive application process, which included a number of public meetings.
    The commercial spaceport can be used for suborbital space tourism, travel and cargo operations, and other commercial launch activities.