Governor Celebrates Commercial Expansion of Space Launch

Press Release

GOVERNOR CELEBRATES COMMERCIAL EXPANSION OF SPACE LAUNCH

~~ ~Governor joins with launch partners in wake of U.S. Air Force Space Command announcement ~ ~~

GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
850-488-5394

Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his focus on strengthening Florida's economy, met with space leaders to celebrate the commercial redevelopment of Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Under the landmark agreement announced by the U.S. Air Force, the 47-year-old complex will be rebuilt as a multi-use launch site for commercial business and research.

"Thanks to the Air Force's decision, the door is now open to innovation and entrepreneurial space opportunities never seen before," Governor Crist said during a visit with Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp to the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium at Brevard Community College. "We are truly on our way to establishing a space-based, biotech corridor that stretches all the way from Florida to the International Space Station."

The reconfiguration of Launch Complex 36 will strengthen not only the state's aerospace industry, but other growing economic sectors such as biotechnology and environmentally friendly energy technology vital to Florida's future. The United States in recent years lost 90 percent of the market share on commercial launches. Launch Complex 36 will bring those launches back to this country, and more importantly, to Florida. The Launch Complex will support light- to medium-lift vehicles that go into low-Earth orbit and beyond.

"The launch complex will open up civil, military and commercial space business in what is becoming an increasingly competitive field," said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. "More and more countries, from Israel to Australia, are developing launch capabilities, and it's important to protect the leadership of Florida and the United States in this growing field."

"It is an important next step to extending space access to commercial defense, security and science initiatives," said Steve Kohler, president of Space Florida. Space Florida, the public-private partnership responsible for promoting and developing the state's aerospace industry, will use $14.5-million set aside by the Legislature in this year's budget to design and build the complex.

The Governor thanked lawmakers for their foresight in setting aside the money, and for passing a package of space-related bills that he recently signed into law. Also attending Monday's event were Brevard Community College President Jim Drake and Representatives. Ralph Poppell and Mitch Needelman.

"In tough economic times, it is important that we do not sit idly by - but that we invest wisely in economic opportunities for the future," Governor Crist said.

About Launch Complex 36

NASA opened Launch Complex 36 in 1961, and most recently it was used as a military and commercial Atlas launch site. Missions to the moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn launched from the site, as well as weather satellites and commercial satellites. The Air Force shut down the complex in 2004.

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