McDonnell Unveils Plan to make Wallops Island the Top Commercial Spaceport in America

Spaceport; Announces Proposals to Further Commit Commonwealth to Spaceport’s Success

-Plan Includes Increasing Funding Ten-Fold-

ATLANTIC- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, traveled to the Eastern Shore today to tour the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at Wallops Island. Following the tour he unveiled his plans to further develop the Spaceport during a press conference at Wright’s Restaurant in nearby Atlantic.  Joining McDonnell for the tour of the Spaceport were the heads of MARS and Orbital Sciences and community leaders from Accomack.

McDonnell pledged his commitment to making the Spaceport America’s best when he kicked off his gubernatorial campaign in late March. The further development of Wallops Island Spaceport will continue to attract highly-skilled and high-paying jobs to the Eastern Shore, and to other locations around the state. In addition, it will generate millions of dollars in revenue for the region and state.  Creating the top commercial spaceport in the country will also increase tourism to Virginia and boost the hospitality industry - a major economic driver in Virginia.

Highlights of McDonnell’s Plan to make Wallops Island the top commercial Spaceport in America include:

• Supporting a ten-fold increase in base funding for the spaceport operations, bringing them to $1 million annually, and focusing a portion of the funding on a coordinated marketing strategy to attract more companies to invest in and create jobs in Virginia

• Creating an aerospace business roundtable to bring experts together to plan for Spaceport development and future projects

• Aggressively recruiting and growing new and existing aerospace companies.

• Promoting space tourism initiatives

• Supporting scholarships and investment in aerospace related educational programs and workforce training opportunities

• Putting “Virginia First” - leading the country in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) educational programs and ensuring our workforce is highly skilled in career and technical skills, which the Spaceport relies on

Speaking about his plans to make Wallops Island the top commercial Spaceport in America, McDonnell remarked “In today’s tough economy we must take advantage of every opportunity we have to bring new jobs to Virginia and grow our economy. We need to do that in every region of the Commonwealth. We have a very specific opportunity on the Eastern Shore with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island and Orbital Sciences investment in the Spaceport. Because of the spaceport, 400 new jobs are already being created.  As Governor, I will continue the effort to make Wallops Island America’s top commercial Spaceport by encouraging further development, establishing more funding for the operation of the project, and aggressively promoting space tourism initiatives.  But it doesn’t stop there.  We also have to properly train Virginia’s students so they are ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow that will be available at Wallops Island.  Wallops Island will generate hundreds of jobs and millions in revenue for the Commonwealth and it is essential that we do everything we can to promote the Spaceport.”

McDonnell continued, “The Virginia Economic Development Partnership projected Orbital’s Taurus II project at Wallops Island alone will generate 125 six-figure paying jobs and 222 indirect jobs with suppliers and contractors.  Additionally, this project, which provides cargo re-supply for the space station, will generate another 93 direct jobs and countless indirect jobs. In revenue it will produce more than $7 million in five years, $13 million in ten and $23 million in 20 years. These are immediate and positive benefits to the Commonwealth. They demonstrate the importance of making certain that we fully utilize and support this great resource for Virginia. For that reason I will support a ten-fold increase in base funding for MARS to bring them to $1 million in funding annually.  The Spaceport is the kind of innovative opportunity that is crucial to the economic resurgence we need in Virginia. I’m running to be a jobs governor and I will work tirelessly to support the Spaceport and every job creating opportunity we have in Virginia”

Developing the Top Commercial Spaceport in the Country at Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore

The Ports of Virginia - Water, Air and Space - connect us to people, products and opportunities on this globe and now, throughout the galaxy.  As Governor, Bob McDonnell will build upon these assets, and set a goal of making the spaceport at Wallops Island the top commercial spaceport in the country.

NASA Goddard’s Wallops Flight Facility, located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is our nation’s oldest rocket launch facility.  Since 1945 Wallops has played a significant role in advancing U.S. space exploration, hosting more than 16,000 launches.  It is only fitting that Virginia is developing a true national asset,——the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS).

The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, created by the General Assembly in 1995, owns MARS.  A 13-member board, appointed by the Governor, governs the space Flight Authority.  MARS is one of four spaceports nationally, licensed by the FAA to send rockets into orbit.  It is one of two spaceports authorized under the START II Treaty to launch U.S. excess ballistic missile assets.

With more than six million dollars in existing infrastructure assets (two launch pads, one service tower) and a very successful launch track record, MARS is now building $70 million dollars worth of new spaceport infrastructure, which will enable the spaceport to launch medium-heavy to heavy rockets.  Funding for the new launch pad, horizontal integration facilities, fueling systems, etc., is coming from the Commonwealth, the federal government and private industry.

In June of 2008, after intense, head-to-head competition with Florida, Orbital Sciences Corporation, selected MARS as the demonstration site for the launch of their new Taurus II rocket.  To win the launch competition with Florida, the General Assembly and Governor supported $26 million in bond financing for new infrastructure needed at the Spaceport to accommodate larger rockets.  Orbital will invest $45 million in Virginia to assemble, test and launch Taurus II.  Orbital received $170 million from NASA for the new rocket design and manufacturing.

In December of 2008, Orbital Sciences received a $1.9 billion dollar contract for eight re-supply missions to the International Space Station beginning in 2011 to 2015.  Orbital will launch the re-supply missions from MARS.  The Chairman of Orbital recently said they expect to launch 4-6 rockets a year from MARS after the new infrastructure is operational.

MARS has been selected by NASA to launch LADDIE, NASA’s moon rover.  The US Air Force has selected MARS, again, to participate in launches for its ‘Operationally Responsive Space” program which uses space to help battlefield commanders ‘real time’ in the field.

MARS currently has a staff of six full time employees.  To meet contractual obligations the VCSFA requires 10-12 full time employees.  MARS will hire other launch support personnel on a contract, as needed basis.  The other three spaceports holding the same FAA license have at least 27 staffers and go as high as 40.  It is vital to MARS success that the Space Flight Authority has the professional staff, equipment, licenses, and training they need.  This enterprise is literally generating millions of dollars in revenue, providing hundreds of jobs in the Commonwealth, not to mention corporate income taxes paid by Orbital.

Top Commercial Spaceport Means Revenue and Jobs for Virginia

The Space Transportation Industry pays well and requires a highly educated and trained workforce.  The Virginia Economic Development Partnership projected Orbital’s Taurus II demonstration project alone will generate 125 - six figure paying jobs - 100 in Loudoun and 25 on the Eastern Shore and 222 indirect jobs with suppliers, contractors, etc.  These figures do not include the $1.9 billion for eight re-supply missions to the Space Station.

According to VEDP, the demonstration project alone, projects revenues to the Commonwealth of more than $7 million in five years, $13 million in ten years, $18 million in fifteen years, and $23 million in twenty years. Space Station cargo re-supply services will generate another 93 direct jobs according to Orbital Sciences Corp, plus countless indirect jobs. More than 400 new jobs are being created because of the Spaceport.

Encouraging the Further Development of the Spaceport

• As Governor, Bob McDonnell will support a ten-fold increase in the base funding for the spaceport operations, to bring them to $1 million dollars annually.

 

• In addition to providing an annual base of funding and personnel support for the Space Flight Authority, as Governor, Bob McDonnell will convene the aerospace community from throughout Virginia and create an aerospace business roundtable. He will make certain that representatives from Virginia’s aerospace community are on the economic development authorities and advisory boards, and that they have seats on University Boards of Visitors having engineering, technology and aerospace programs.

 

• Bob McDonnell will aggressively recruit new aerospace companies to Virginia, as well as support policies to nurture and grow our existing aerospace companies, small and large, public and private. He will work with his Secretary of Commerce and Trade to promote the spaceport across the United States and globally. His previous proposals to increase funding for the Governor’s Opportunity Fund and expand the Major Facilities Job Tax Credit will aid in this purpose.

• As Governor, McDonnell will also aggressively promote space tourism initiatives. Virginia’s hospitality industry is a major economic driver, creating jobs and revenue. He understands the value of our hospitality industry and fully intends to promote our Commonwealth to ‘space lovers’.  As Governor, he will also work to recruit companies to Virginia that sponsor personal/civilian spaceflights. This will be an aggressive, coordinated effort with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and localities around the Eastern Shore to promote the tourism component of the spaceport. A portion of the base funding allocated to the spaceport will be focused on a coordinated marketing strategy to attract more companies to invest in MARS and create jobs in Virginia.

• Further, as Governor, Bob McDonnell will support scholarships for students to attend the Virginia Space Flight Academy and to participate in the Virginia Aerospace Scholars program.  McDonnell will support educational programs and workforce training opportunities that show results and that enhance our aerospace industries and technology companies.

• Finally, one of the most important aspects of a successful spaceport is having a competitive workforce that is highly skilled. Preparing our children for the high-demand and high-income jobs of the 21st century is vital to bringing new jobs and opportunities to the Commonwealth. This will require innovative incentives to create the best school system in America, right here in Virginia.  We do this by putting “Virginia First” - leading the country in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) educational programs, and ensuring that our workforce is highly skilled in career and technical skills. McDonnell’s “Virginia First” proposals include:
  • Doubling the number of Governor’s Career and Technical Academies that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and career and technical skills
  • Implementing a VATeach Program to increase the number of certified STEM teachers in the classroom, with an emphasis on veterans
  • Engaging more women, youth and minorities in STEM and career and technical subjects through innovative programs like the FIRST program - “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” 
  • Expanding workforce training at our community colleges and consolidating state workforce training programs
  • Strengthening relationships between private employers and Virginia’s community colleges
  • Assisting more Virginians in gaining Career Readiness Certificates

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