Space Florida
Space Florida is the aerospace economic development agency of the State of Florida. The agency was created by consolidating three existing space entities into a single new organization via the Space Florida Act,[1] enacted in May 2006 by the Florida Legislature. The predecessor entities were the Florida Space Authority, Florida Space Research Institute and Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation.[2]
In 2008, Aviation Week magazine reported that the U.S. Air Force committed to lease Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 36 to Space Florida for future use by the Athena III launch system,[3] but that program has not moved forward.[4]
Space Florida is a "Preferred Partner" of the Google Lunar X PRIZE, and, as such, has offered an addition US$2 million bonus to teams that launch their Google Lunar X PRIZE-winning missions from the state of Florida.[5]
Florida Space Authority
Florida Space Authority was created as a Florida state government space agency by Florida's Governor and Legislature in 1989. The Authority's mission (as authorized in Chapter 331, Part Two, Florida Statutes) was to retain, expand and diversify the state's space-related industry. Chapter 331 gives FSA governmental powers similar to other types of transportation authorities (airport, seaport, etc.) to support and regulate the state's space transportation industry. It was empowered to own, operate, construct, finance, acquire, extend, equip and improve spaceport infrastructure. Florida Space Authority served the state's Governor through the governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Development of the space industry. Chapter 331 of the Florida Statutes specifically states that the FSA is not to be considered an "agency", even though it receives funding directly from the state of Florida according to its website.[6]
With the Space Florida Act, enacted in May 2006, the Florida Legislature consolidated FSA, the Florida Space Research Institute, and the Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation to create Space Florida.[7]
Proposed spaceport
In the early 2010s, Space Florida proposed the Shiloh area of northern Brevard County as a potential location for the development of a commercial spaceport. Located immediately north of the U.S. Government's Kennedy Space Center, the open access to the U.S. Air Force's Eastern Range over the open Atlantic Ocean to the east, and easy access to the range's tracking facilities made the location attractive on many margins. Among other potential users of the spaceport facility, SpaceX was reported to be considering Shiloh as one of several potential locations for building a commercial launch facility. Opponents of the proposed Shiloh launch location cite the potential for a negative impact on the natural environment; particular as this area is home to several species listed as endangered or threatened.[8] Even though the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has yet to agree to turn over the land to the State of Florida for commercial development, NASA has agreed to let the Federal Aviation Administration lead an environmental impact study at the proposed site.
On May 2, 2013, the Volusia County Council voted 6-1 in favor of a commercial launch site at Shiloh. Though largely symbolic in nature, the vote was considered by many to be a critical step toward any future development of the proposed Shiloh location.[9]
In July 2014, after difficulties gaining support from environmental groups and others, Space Florida began looking for alternatives to the Shiloh location that would facilitate commercial space launch pads on the Florida Space Coast. These include working with the U.S. Air Force to see about converting some of the very large amount of unused military launch pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (south of Shiloh) to state land that might be used as a commercial spaceport.[10]
See also
- California Space Authority
- New Mexico Spaceport Authority
- Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
References
- ^ "Florida Aviation Code Section 331.302 - Aviation And Aerospace Facilities And Commerce - Space Florida; creation; purpose. - Florida Attorney Resources - Florida Laws:". Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ "History of Space Florida". Space Florida.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Craig Covault (Oct 27, 2008). "Boeing Joins Commercial Athena III Program".
- ^ Athena rising?, Dwayne Day, The Space Review, February 11, 2013
- ^ X PRIZE Foundation (Oct 3, 2010). "Google Lunar X PRIZE - Preferred Partners Program".
- ^ "SPACE FLORIDA BUDGET INCREASES FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE SESSION". Space Florida.
- ^ "Space Florida About Us". Space Florida.
- ^ http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130404/SPACE/130404009/Proposed-Shiloh-launch-complex-KSC-debated-Volusia
- ^ Volusia County supports launches at Shiloh complex at north end of KSC | News - Home
- ^ Dean, James (2014-07-12). "Lawmakers fire up alternatives for Shiloh complex". Florida Today. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
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