The deal announced Wednesday is one of a long string of incentives by Spaceport -- a state agency -- to inject cash into Florida’s economy by attracting more commercial space launches. Spaceport began in 1989.
Though close to 70 percent of the world’s commercial satellites are assembled in the U.S., only 45 percent actually are launched within American borders.
As a result, there has been a push by states like Florida to increase both the number of launches, as well as the types of rockets than can accommodate those satellites.
Other states vying for commercial launches are
, which have been granted federal licenses to host their own spaceports. Ten other states are considering building their own launch pads and applying for the licenses.
"We are transitioning into the next generation of launch vehicles and are building the infrastructure in pursuit of new vehicles coming to Florida," said Edward Ellegood, director of Spaceport’s policy and program development in Cape Canaveral.
"We want to demonstrate to the entire industry that Florida is the place for space, " said Florida Lt. Governor Frank Brogran in a statement about the deal.
The Atlas 5, slated for a maiden launch in early 2002, is capable of carrying up to 31 tons (28,120 kilograms) of cargo to low Earth orbit or 7 tons (6,350 kilograms) to a geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles (35,890 kilometers) above Earth.
The space industry currently contributes $4 billion to $5 billion to Florida’s economy each year. Through various programs, Spaceport hopes to double that amount, Ellegood said.
Among the chief projects is the construction of a space and high-technology research park at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), paid for by a $4 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation and $4 million from KSC's visitor's center.
Plans for the new facility include allowing academics to use the lab for research and development to diversify the industry statewide. It also will support research projects for the International Space Station.
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