First, they studied it. Now, they're putting real money down. That's how good Huntsville leaders are feeling about their effort to turn the Huntsville International Airport into a landing site for a spaceplane.

The Huntsville City Council voted Thursday night to "backstop" a $1 million application with the Federal Aviation Administration to get the airport licensed to land Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser spaceplane. Ultimately, the state will put up about half that money, officials say, and the city and Madison County will ensure the rest while local leaders pursue other funding sources.

Dream Chaser will lift off atop a rocket, visit the International Space Station with supplies and return carrying scientific experiments, and then land like an airplane. It looks like a mini-space shuttle. Landings in Huntsville would put the city firmly in the New Space world, officials believe.

"We really look at this as helping to solidify Huntsville's position and future in the space industry," city Business Relations Office Harrison Diamond said Friday, "and specifically in the rapidly growing commercial space industry."

Getting the money guaranteed opens Phase 2 of the city's plan: the formal FAA licensing process that will take about 18 months. Phase 1 was a feasibility study, and city industrial recruiter Shane Davis told the council Thursday night that it looked very promising. The Madison County Commission will vote later on joining the funds guarantee.