A Note to Space Florida Stakeholders,
In relation to yesterday’s article in the Orlando Sentinel regarding Florida’s role in space tourism, we wanted to take an opportunity to provide those of you that follow us on the social media with some additional information that may assist in getting a broader perspective of Space Florida’s accomplishments to date, and our vision for economic development in Florida.
Specifically in the area of space tourism and personal spaceflight, we are making great strides. As you may be aware, some of the misperception out there is due to the fact that we have a number of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with potential customers that we are unable to publicly announce. While we have made every effort to educate our stakeholders and the media on this part of our business development process, we understand the lack of information can be misunderstood as lack of action. That is truly not the case.
Just last month, the FAA released the latest “State Support for Commercial Space Activities” Report, showing that Florida was one of the top two states (along with VA) to have already secured robust legislative and space transportation incentives to foster commercial space industry growth. In that same report, we were noted as a “standout from competing states.”
In relation to our direct investments, the first major announcement occurred in 2006, after Space Florida was formed, and was in the way of $35 million in conduit financing for the Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. According to public reports from the facility, this attraction garnered a 14% increase in visitors to the tourist destination in its first full year of operation.
As far as more current space tourism initiatives, in addition to our December announcement to partner with the renowned Andrews Clinic in Pensacola, a clear choice in the high-end medical clientele market (which would be an integral part of any Florida space tourism strategy), we have also been working with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to assist them in securing an FAA license for horizontal space launch, which would accommodate a significant portion of today’s space tourism business model. In addition to these efforts, we are in ongoing discussions with NASA’s local Commercial Space Flight Office on opportunities that may exist at the Shuttle Landing Facility for horizontal launch. Finally, there is another site in South Florida that we are currently researching opportunities that may provide a third personal spaceflight launch capability with an adjacent space-themed attraction tied to it.
As a side note, you may not know that we are also pursuing non-human applications for horizontal microgravity flights, such as our FASTRACK structure, which can house microgravity experiments to benefit Life Sciences research.
All this, in addition to Florida’s proven ability to entertain through existing infrastructure across the state, provides us great positioning and leverage to lure future personal spaceflight entities to Florida. During the current Legislative session, we will be working diligently with our government leaders to determine how we may leverage more aggressive tax incentives to sweeten the deal.
In relation to yesterday’s article in the Orlando Sentinel regarding Florida’s role in space tourism, we wanted to take an opportunity to provide those of you that follow us on the social media with some additional information that may assist in getting a broader perspective of Space Florida’s accomplishments to date, and our vision for economic development in Florida.
Specifically in the area of space tourism and personal spaceflight, we are making great strides. As you may be aware, some of the misperception out there is due to the fact that we have a number of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with potential customers that we are unable to publicly announce. While we have made every effort to educate our stakeholders and the media on this part of our business development process, we understand the lack of information can be misunderstood as lack of action. That is truly not the case.
Just last month, the FAA released the latest “State Support for Commercial Space Activities” Report, showing that Florida was one of the top two states (along with VA) to have already secured robust legislative and space transportation incentives to foster commercial space industry growth. In that same report, we were noted as a “standout from competing states.”
In relation to our direct investments, the first major announcement occurred in 2006, after Space Florida was formed, and was in the way of $35 million in conduit financing for the Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. According to public reports from the facility, this attraction garnered a 14% increase in visitors to the tourist destination in its first full year of operation.
As far as more current space tourism initiatives, in addition to our December announcement to partner with the renowned Andrews Clinic in Pensacola, a clear choice in the high-end medical clientele market (which would be an integral part of any Florida space tourism strategy), we have also been working with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to assist them in securing an FAA license for horizontal space launch, which would accommodate a significant portion of today’s space tourism business model. In addition to these efforts, we are in ongoing discussions with NASA’s local Commercial Space Flight Office on opportunities that may exist at the Shuttle Landing Facility for horizontal launch. Finally, there is another site in South Florida that we are currently researching opportunities that may provide a third personal spaceflight launch capability with an adjacent space-themed attraction tied to it.
As a side note, you may not know that we are also pursuing non-human applications for horizontal microgravity flights, such as our FASTRACK structure, which can house microgravity experiments to benefit Life Sciences research.
All this, in addition to Florida’s proven ability to entertain through existing infrastructure across the state, provides us great positioning and leverage to lure future personal spaceflight entities to Florida. During the current Legislative session, we will be working diligently with our government leaders to determine how we may leverage more aggressive tax incentives to sweeten the deal.