Credit should go to Virginia legislators and Gov. Tim Kaine for, at least in one case, their remarkable, and hopefully, prescient vision.
Gov. Kaine signed a “zero g, zero tax” bill last week for commercial spaceflights in the state.

The legislation amends the state tax code so that, starting in 2009, no tax would be charged on revenue from commercial human spaceflight launch services and training, or space resupply services, provided those launches take place from a facility in the state.

The fiscal impact statement  for the legislation notes that the impact of the tax exemption “is unknown, but likely minimal,”because of the lack of activity in this sector.

While there may be a lack of activity now, there could be a great deal of activity in the future. Promising tax-free takeoffs is one way to help promote such space ventures.

It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. Besides, the name “Virginia Space Port” has a nice ring to it.

As noted by the “father of modern rocketry” Robert Goddard, “It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.”

Those Virginia spaceflights are only dreams today, but they could well be the reality of tomorrow.