Governor Bob McDonnell released today findings that would make the Wallops Island Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) more competitive as a commercial spaceport.
“As home to one of only four facilities licensed by the FAA to send rockets into orbit, the Wallops Flight Facility…has the potential to become the leading commercial space flight facility in the United States,” McDonnell stated in a press release. ““Virginia’s space industry currently contributes $7.6 billion in annual direct economic output and supports over 28,000 jobs. Given the job creation and economic development potential surrounding MARS, I will be submitting a promotion bill this session of the General Assembly to implement the report’s recommendations.”
The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) has the potential to become a major economic force in the Commonwealth he said. “We must take the steps to ensure that this occurs.”
Some of those recommendations include:
· Make the capital investment necessary to turn MARS into a multi-use facility and attract new customers.
· The VCSFA should develop market-based usage cost rates that reflect the infrastructure, site, facilities, and range equipment at MARS.
· The VCSFA must focus on a long range strategy for MARS.
· The Board of Directors should be restructured to reflect the mission, purpose and size of the VCSFA.
· The VCSFA should reevaluate and refresh agreements with other entities.
· The VCSFA staff and organizational structure should reflect the strategic direction.
Virginia is for astronauts?
