Latest news with #CAPECanaveral
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Space Florida eyes merging of US operations at Cape Canaveral
As Florida leaders call for moving the nation's space-agency headquarters to Brevard County, Space Florida is launching a study about how NASA and U.S. Space Force operations could be merged at Cape Canaveral. Space Florida President and CEO Robert Long on Wednesday told board members of the state aerospace agency that a 'unified model' would support the ongoing growth of commercial space operations and ensure government missions can be more efficient and sustainable. 'We think that it's time that we ask ourselves as a nation, what is the optimal model to carry the world's most active and capable spaceport into the future and enable America to continue to lead in space,' Long said. How that looks will be up to a 'new Cape Canaveral Spaceport master plan,' which Long said will include participation from NASA and the Space Force. Under Acting Administrator Janet Petro, NASA is looking to consolidate or relocate operations to streamline the organization. Gov. Ron DeSantis has supported moving NASA's headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Florida, with backers saying it would put leaders closer to the agency's operations. The idea has drawn support from most members of Florida's congressional delegation, including through proposed legislation, the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral (CAPE Canaveral) Act, which calls for placing the headquarters in Brevard County. Meanwhile, members of the Texas congressional delegation have asked President Donald Trump to move the headquarters to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. Long said that 'at this stage, there is no predetermined outcome' for the master plan, with a goal to recommend 'a governance model that will maximize spaceport capacity for the nation and minimize inefficiencies.' The military and NASA have operated separate portions of the spaceport since the 1950s. The model enabled America to win the first space race, land people on the Moon, launch 135 space-shuttle missions, construct the International Space Station and begin to explore the solar system, Long said. But Long added the model has changed as the spaceport has 'rapidly evolved into a commercially driven economic engine that supports both government missions and commercial business cases alike.' This year, there have been 31 successful launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and 13 from the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Last year, there were 67 successful launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and 26 at Kennedy Space Center, up from 58 at Cape Canaveral and 13 at Kennedy in 2023. Space Florida, which is working on upgrading wastewater facilities at the cape and expanding wharf space for the industry at Port Canaveral, manages certain operations at the spaceport through property leased from the federal government, including launch and landing facilities through an agreement with NASA. Long said infrastructure at the cape --- such as utility systems, roads and bridges --- is 'becoming strained' as commercial activity at the spaceport has increased. He estimated $2 billion to $3 billion in unfunded infrastructure improvements will need to be addressed over the next decade at the spaceport. A consultant is expected to be named for the master plan study in June, and the first two phases are expected to be completed in eight months to a year, Long said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Hill
14-03-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Republicans unveil bill relocating NASA headquarters to Florida
Republican Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Mood introduced a bill on Friday proposing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters, currently in Washington, be moved to Florida. Titled Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral (CAPE Canaveral) Act, the legislation would relocate the NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County. The region houses the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Scott's office called Florida 'a common sense choice' for the new headquarters. 'There's no better place for NASA's headquarters than Florida's Space Coast, where our nation's brightest minds innovate and help America reach for the stars,' Scott said in a statement. 'Moving to Florida will not only save Americans' tax dollars, it will enhance efficiency and streamline operations in this important industry with proximity to private-sector partners and a top-tier workforce ready to help America reach its space exploration goals,' he added. Echoing the sentiment, Moody said Florida is the leader in space exploration and aerospace innovation, adding that 'establishing NASA's headquarters within the Space Coast will bridge the bureaucracy gap from the top down and bring stakeholders together.' 'Florida is the gateway to space and this commonsense proposal would save taxpayers money, encourage collaboration with private space companies, and tap into Florida's talented workforce to spur further innovation,' she added. Scott and Moody are not the only lawmakers calling for NASA headquarters' relocation to their state as the building's lease is set to expire in 2028. On Tuesday, a group of Ohio lawmakers in Congress pushed for NASA headquarters to be moved from Washington, D.C., to Cleveland. The lawmakers wrote a letter to Vice President Vance, who is from Ohio, and Jared Isaacman, President Trump's pick to lead NASA, that moving the space agency's HQ would serve as 'a significant opportunity to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.' The letter was signed by Ohio GOP Reps. Max Miller, Troy Balderson, Mike Carey, Warren Davidson, Jim Jordan, Dave Joyce, Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, Dave Taylor and Mike Turner as well as Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Ohio Sens. Bernie Moreno (R) and Jon Husted (R) also signed the letter. These efforts come as the Trump administration has sought to transform various federal agencies and departments, cutting spending and reducing the government workforce. The administration has also indicated it would like to sell some federal buildings. In other office moves, Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler signaled she would move several offices out of 'sanctuary cities,' arguing that existing locations are bad for small business communities and not complying with federal immigration law.
