Governor Ron DeSantis today sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) be headquartered in Florida.
“Today, I submitted a request to President Trump formally asking him to headquarter United States Space Command in Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “As the world’s premier gateway to space, Florida has been the departure point for more cargo and humans to space than any other place in the world, so I believe our state is the logical choice to base this new command. In addition to my request to the President, I have also directed Space Florida to make it a top priority to pursue and secure this new headquarters here in Florida.”
On December 18, 2018, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Defense establishing the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) as a Unified Combatant Command. Today, February 19, 2019, President Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4, establishing a new space-focused extension of the U.S. Air Force to be housed at USSPACECOM.
Florida is perfectly positioned for this headquarters with several important strategic facilities and Air Force bases, including the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso and Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, which currently provides space launch operations support through the 45th Space Wing.
Florida’s growing commercial space industry provides jobs for nearly 100,000 Floridians in over 470 aerospace and aviation companies that do business in the state. These companies export more than $7.6 billion in goods annually, providing major economic impact to Florida. USSPACECOM headquarters would significantly reinforce the positive impact the space industry has on Florida’s economy.
For a PDF copy of the letter Governor DeSantis sent to President Trump requesting that the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) be headquartered in Florida, click HERE.
For a PDF copy of the letter Governor DeSantis sent to Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello directing Space Florida to prioritize securing this headquarters, click HERE.
