Arrival of new rocket in Florida heralds a new beginning for space
April 22, 2021 By Tom Wright
Senator Tom A. Wright.
When people think of Florida, three things usually come to mind: beaches, theme parks and space. All are incredibly important to the state economy, but only one will send the first woman and next man to the moon and beyond.
Florida’s own Cape Canaveral is iconic in the aerospace industry. Since the 1950s, missions like Atlas to current-day Artemis have led the way in space exploration and scientific research. The work done there by our fellow Floridians is groundbreaking and will lead our nation into the next generation of space travel. Back on Earth, this incredibly important industry creates and sustains jobs and businesses while boosting the state economy.
Florida is home to the second highest number of aviation and aerospace sector businesses in the nation. With more than 17,000 aerospace-related companies employing over 130,000 Floridians, it is easy to see why the industry is so important to our economy.
Together with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, this sector serves as a prominent economic engine. In 2019, NASA alone accounted for 33,093 direct and indirect jobs and had an economic impact of approximately $6 billion throughout the state.
As we push forward into the next great era of space exploration, there is incredible opportunity to grow and expand here in Florida, where so many of the greatest moments in space history have taken place.
In fact, we’re embarking on the next step in our space journey right now as the Space Launch System (SLS) prepares to launch on its first mission. SLS is the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, even bigger than the storied Saturn V.
Its current status as the only exploration-class rocket capable of carrying humans to the moon and into deep space enables it to support a broad range of missions. That includes crewed missions to the moon and Mars, as well as robotic missions throughout the solar system. SLS will be able to lift the heaviest payloads, opening up new opportunities for exploration and research beyond low Earth orbit.
The SLS Core Stage is being delivered by barge Monday and will be moved to the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center to be stacked with the solid rocket boosters and Orion spacecraft in preparation for launch. This will be the largest launch system assembled in the VAB since the Apollo Saturn V rocket and spacecraft were last assembled there nearly 50 years ago.
I’m looking forward to this exciting launch. After all, it is 11,000 of our neighbors, friends and family members in the Space Coast and throughout Florida who have worked toward SLS’s arrival.
Their tasks have ranged from designing rocket components to constructing and operating the exploration ground systems and facilities necessary for launch. Their efforts equate to a positive impact of more than $2 billion to our state’s economy. As a business owner, I know that this is an investment that benefits Florida’s communities.
SLS is part of the rich tradition that has secured America’s pole position in the space race, and now is not the time to rest.
Florida must continue to cultivate our space program, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished in the Legislature to ensure that our workforce, whether recent graduates or transitioning service members, is ready to meet current and future industry needs.
This endeavor can be achieved on multiple fronts. As part of a cost-effective approach, we are using resources currently in place to bolster Florida’s space program. The growth of Florida’s workforce is integral as we identify existing programs that aid in uniting employers with Floridians eager to contribute to the mission at hand.
During this year’s legislative session I sponsored SB 586 to help connect transitioning service members to businesses in need of disciplined, hard-working employees. Based on Florida’s growth, we must also focus on our K-12 students and ensure they are afforded the chance to learn about these unique opportunities in career and technical education, and industry certifications.
Following a very challenging year for our economy, we learned that the space industry is resilient and a crucial component of Florida’s infrastructure as a whole. From a regulatory standpoint, we have been able to streamline processes for entities like Space Florida that regularly interact with companies looking to call Florida home.
All of these elements ultimately contribute to a fertile landscape in our state. With continued support for our aerospace partners and the thousands of businesses that contribute to America’s space program, the next generation of space exploration will be even greater than the last.
Tom Wright represents District 14 in the Florida Senate, which includes the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. He is chair of the Florida Space Caucus and Co-Chair of the State Manufacturing and Supply Chain Caucus.
Source: ORLANDO SENTINEL: Senator: Arrival of new rocket in Florida heralds a new beginning for space | Commentary