Florida’s Spaceport Territory currently includes these strategic locations in Florida statute:
Cape Canaveral Spaceport
Cecil Spaceport
Eglin Air Force Base
Cape San Blas
Space Coast Regional Airport and Spaceport
Patrick Space Force Base
Homestead Air Reserve Base
Tyndall Air Force Base
Florida has strategically designated seven key areas statewide as spaceport territories. Spaceport territories are not simply areas that support launches, and in most cases they currently do not. They serve as hubs for aerospace commerce and innovation, and ultimately bolster the state’s position as the global center for the industry.
Expanding Florida's Spaceport System Territory provides optionality for aerospace development and further solidifies Florida as the premier global and interplanetary capital for aerospace commerce. In statute, aerospace is broadly defined and allows Space Florida to work with new industry sectors easily, attracting more capital investment into the state. Expanding the Spaceport System Territory allows Space Florida to attract more companies and private investment in non-traditionally “space” regions.
These strategic areas can support both aerospace innovation projects and Florida Department of Transportation Spaceport Improvement Projects.
“It is the intent of the Legislature that Space Florida will…preserve the unique national role served by the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the John F. Kennedy Space Center by reducing costs and improving regulatory flexibility for commercial sector launches while pursuing the development of complementary sites for commercial horizontal launches.”
“Space Florida shall develop a Spaceport master plan for expansion and modernization of space transportation facilities within Spaceport territories… the plan shall contain recommended projects to meet current and future commercial, national, and state space transportation requirements. The plan shall identify appropriate funding levels and include recommendations on appropriate sources of revenue that may be developed to contribute to the State Transportation Trust Fund. The territory consisting of areas within the John F. Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station may be referred to as the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.”
“Space Florida shall carry out its responsibilities for Spaceport operations by supporting federal efforts to clarify roles and responsibilities of federal agencies and eliminate duplicative rules and policies, in an effort to streamline access for commercial launch users…seeking federal support and developing partnerships to renew and upgrade infrastructure and technologies at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the John F. Kennedy Space Center, and the Eastern Range that will enhance space and military programs of the Federal Government, and improve access for commercial launch activities.”
—Florida Statutes 331, Part II; Sections 331.3011, 331.304, 331.360, 331:3051
For more information on the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Fund Application click here.
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