Our colleagues in Florida and Georgia are enthusiastic, energetic and, in the case of Florida, very well-funded by their state. But in Texas, there are many advantages in the race to partner with exciting space companies, both established and new. They include a recognized home for risk-taking entrepreneurs, available advanced research, top universities and a readily available, world-class spaceflight operations workforce.
Florida and Georgia have some of those advantages, but none have them like Texas. Texas also has the trump card of location and geography. More on that later.
The first advantage is a second-to-none business climate, one that works with businesses to say “yes,” not find ways to say “no.” Our jobs and new-business creation during the last decade speaks to this truth. Business owners have been voting with their feet, and they are choosing Texas in record numbers. Texas has no income tax and has a very reasonable, sane regulatory and tort environment. That’s coupled with a can-do spirit that supports dreams as big as Texas.
Groups like the Texas Space Alliance and others are working to make the environment even more conducive and profitable for space businesses, including space launch. Partners are coming together at all levels, from the governor’s office and the Aerospace and Aviation Department. Far-sighted efforts like the recently announced application for spaceport status through the Houston Airport System for Ellington Field, close to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Johnson Space Center, show the wide interest level and vision being developed for Texas’ space future. The effort has charged into high gear across Texas. Space businesses are taking note.
All space launch businesses are realizing their need for understanding every aspect of human spaceflight and mission control. The Johnson Space Center is the recognized world leader in such expertise, and the wealth of the benefits from close access are becoming evident.
However, the main reason why Texas may end up ahead in the launch business is because of the unavoidable rules of orbital mechanics. Increased north latitude requires more energy to reach earth orbit. For the same energy, more payload can be launched from Texas than any of the other proposed sites, which is critical. It is not a coincidence that a Brownsville location, the southernmost point of Texas, is the listed location for a launch site. Current government facilities being used or proposed around the Kennedy Space Center are located in mid-state Florida.
So while clearly multiple and varied spaceport launch locations are definitely in our nation’s space future, we are proud that our Texas-sized efforts to attract space launch may likely be rewarded in the very near future. Texas is open for space business.
Wayne Rast is legislative affairs director for the Texas Space Alliance.
