Space Florida

	Latest News Posts	Vision 2020
	Statement by GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST Regarding President Obama’s decision to halt funding for NASA’s Constellation Program “I am concerned that President Obama’s decision to end NASA’s Constellation program, and prematurely conclude the nation’s significant investment in moon exploration, may place the nation’s space leadership role in question. Without a bold policy and goal for the future of American space exploration, we may cede our nations’ premier space leadership to other countries. “Despite today’s announcement, there are significant opportunities for Florida in the commercial space industry, and I will work aggressively to ensure Florida is prepared to capitalize on these possibilities.” Governor Crist Proposes $32.6 Million for Commercial Space Launch, Urges Incentives to Build Florida’s Innovation Economy ~ To grow key Florida industries and high-tech, high-wage jobs ~ Governor Charlie Crist today addressed the board of directors of Enterprise Florida Inc. during the group’s annual meeting in Tallahassee to announce his $307.5-million economic-incentive budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010-11. The Governor, who chairs the board, highlighted his commitment to growing the state’s innovation economy, ensuring a competitive business climate, building a world-class workforce, and establishing Florida as a pre-eminent global trade hub. Click here to read full press release. GOVERNOR CRIST APPOINTS THREE TO THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following appointments: State Emergency Response Commission · Arthur E. Johnstone, 43, of Tallahassee, director of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, succeeding Steven Dwinell, appointed for a term beginning January 27, 2010, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor. · Allison Odyssey, 31, of Cocoa Beach, aerospace engineering and safety manager with Space Florida, succeeding Kenneth Gunn, appointed for a term beginning January 27, 2010, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor. · Brian D. Teeple, 52, of Jacksonville, chief executive officer of Northeast Florida Regional Council, succeeding Manuel Pumariega, appointed for a term beginning January 27, 2010, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor. Governor Crist Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Future of Florida’s Aerospace Economy Addresses Florida’s space industry and creating jobs JANUARY 7, 2010 As part of his ongoing focus on growing Florida’s economy through job retention and creation, workforce training, and economic development, Governor Charlie Crist today hosted a roundtable discussion with space industry leaders. The discussion was held at the Canaveral Port Authority in Brevard County and featured representatives from the aerospace industry, as well as economic and workforce development leaders. Click here to read full press release. Space Florida Announces Three Winning Teams In Mars Experiment Design Competition Mars Society, NASA-KSC and Florida Department of Education Support Space Florida has announced the names of the three Florida winning school teams in the recent Mars Experiment Design Competition. The winners in the three scientific categories are as follows: Human Factors – TechPlayZone Red Voyagers (Mulrennan Middle School, Hillsborough County). Experiment Title: “Emotional Dynamics.” Mission Operations – Big Red Mission Crew (Collier County, Golden Gate High School). Experiment Title: “How to Produce Energy.” Geology / Biology Field Studies – Geeky Lions (Orange County, Lake Nona Middle/High School). Experiment Title: “Can Water Plus Martian Soil Equal Life?” Click for more information… Lt. Governor Meets with Brevard County Business and Industry Leaders Addresses retention of space workers and economic health for Florida December 2, 2009 SATELLITE BEACH - December 2, 2009, Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp met with a group of Brevard County's innovators and industry leaders at Satellite Beach's Lighting Science Group Corporation headquarters to discuss emerging technologies and tour their facility. Click Here to view more...	“Vision 2020” Space Florida’s Strategic Business Plan As the space industry faces critical impending changes, Space Florida has identified aggressive goals and bold economic development activities to expand domestic and international opportunities, support talent development, help enhance infrastructure and support governments and organizations in improving the state’s competitive business climate. Our enabling capabilities directly align with the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s identified Platforms for Florida’s Future and Enterprise Florida’s Roadmap to Florida’s Future and all support the Governor’s focus of building an innovation economy in Florida. The following documents represent a final draft of our research and thinking. The answers for the future involve creative and innovative approaches, and success for Florida must include creating and filling next generation high-tech jobs with the valuable talent we have developed through Florida’s involvement in the space program. We have a number of key economic development initiatives underway, and are implementing a strategy of broad diversification of the state’s space industry with a focus of growing the depth of the industry supply chain in the state. Our goal remains: A three-fold increase in aerospace-related jobs and economic impact by 2020. We are seeking your input and welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please let us hear from you! info@spaceflorida.gov Click HERE to view the Vision 2020 Pyramid and Documents
Latest Blog Posts
MPOs Support Space Florida Infrastructure Recommendations On January 28, I had the opportunity to brief a variety of Florida Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) on Space Florida’s 2010 Spaceport Master Plan. Specifically, I’ve used these forums to discuss recommendations Space Florida has, on behalf of the State, for infrastructure projects in the coming months and years. The MPOs serve a critical function [...] Read more... Supporting Statewide STEM Initiatives This week, I submitted a letter of support to the Florida Department of Education (FDoE) in its recent submission for “Race to the Top,” a federal competitive education grant program. Read more... Cecil Field Milestone Marks the Beginning of a Horizontal Space Launch Network in Florida I was thrilled to learn this week that Cecil Field was issued a Launch Site Operator’s License from the FAA. This license has been highly anticipated, as it formally enables this historic Northern Florida facility to host horizontal space launches from its runways. This capability – in addition to similar potential sites currently being researched [...] Read more...