{"id":5529,"date":"2026-06-26T10:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T10:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5529"},"modified":"2026-06-26T10:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T10:36:09","slug":"nasa-audit-warns-1-billion-needed-to-repair-kennedy-space-centers-stressed-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5529","title":{"rendered":"NASA audit warns $1 billion needed to repair Kennedy Space Center\u2019s stressed infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><div><p>NASA officials have been shouting for years more money is needed to support infrastructure of a souped-up launch rate on the Space Coast, and now it has an audit confirming things are bad, and could get worse.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5518\">Lake Commissioners to vote on proposed data center moratorium<\/a><\/p>\n<p>NASA\u2019s Office of the Inspector General released its report Monday on NASA launch infrastructure both at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia\u2019s Eastern Shore.<\/p>\n<p>While both are in need of help, the situation at KSC is already crumbling and the OIG warns a potential deal breaker for the agency\u2019s plans, including its moon aspirations, if not addressed.<\/p>\n<div><ul><div><div><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Examples of collapsed duct banks and corroding transformers at Kennedy...\" class=\"wp-image-5520\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71-1024x748.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71-1024x748.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71-300x219.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71-768x561.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71-1536x1121.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fab78cad642a6d6eae11f7a3890aad71.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Examples of collapsed duct banks and corroding transformers at Kennedy Space Center. (Courtesy\/NASA OIG)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Road damage leading up to Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex...\" class=\"wp-image-5521\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-704x1024.webp\" width=\"704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-704x1024.webp 704w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-206x300.webp 206w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-768x1117.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-1056x1536.webp 1056w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-1408x2048.webp 1408w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d1b8c375b9dc840e6662cd3eba51388-scaled.webp 1760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Road damage leading up to Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39-B from an erosion restoration project. (Courtesy\/NASA OIG)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An aerial view, from the east looking toward the west,...\" class=\"wp-image-5522\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd-1024x683.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/f7d0727e14b17f99b60534635774d4dd.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>An aerial view, from the east looking toward the west, shows the entire Launch Pad 39-B area at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in this 2016 file photo. (Kim Shiflett\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge seen in this September...\" class=\"wp-image-5523\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7-1024x674.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7-1024x674.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7-768x505.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7-1536x1011.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a6609765856fc2be85eb5ade7cf524b7.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge seen in this September 2012 file photo connects NASA Kennedy Space Center to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (Courtesy\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A rendering of a proposed replacement bridge for the existing...\" class=\"wp-image-5524\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7-1024x793.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7-1024x793.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7-300x232.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7-768x595.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7-1536x1189.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bfec9e76d5936432266b57a712771ac7.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>A rendering of a proposed replacement bridge for the existing Roy D. Bridges Bridge, formerly NASA Causeway, that connects Kennedy Space Center to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (Courtesy\/Space Florida)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The left hand aft skirt for NASA's Space Launch System...\" class=\"wp-image-5525\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8-1024x683.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/96bee86331956b08ae2c817cc2fe63f8.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The left hand aft skirt for NASA&#8217;s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is transported across the Roy D. Bridges Bridge from the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station) on its way to the Booster Fabrication Facility at NASA&#8217;s Kennedy Space Center. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected, resurfaced, primed and painted for use on the left hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). (Kim Shiflett\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NASA's Pegasus barge passes under the Roy D. Bridges Bridge...\" class=\"wp-image-5526\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333-1024x680.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333-1536x1021.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/283d837f3c9a2e580224088ce8a65333.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>NASA&#8217;s Pegasus barge passes under the Roy D. Bridges Bridge in the Banana River on March 3, 2006, as it nears the end of its journey from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to Kennedy Space Center. The barge carried the redesigned external fuel tank for Space Shuttle Discovery&#8217;s STS-121 mission. (Courtesy\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The NASA Causeway connecting Kennedy Space Center to what was...\" class=\"wp-image-5527\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec-1024x680.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec-1536x1021.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/569012706a22fa822659f8078e4d0eec.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The NASA Causeway connecting Kennedy Space Center to what was then Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was renamed the Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge in August 2003 in honor of Bridges, who was departing KSC as its director. The bridge spans the Banana River. (Courtesy\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge seen in this September...\" class=\"wp-image-5528\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63-1024x678.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63-1024x678.webp 1024w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63-768x508.webp 768w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63-1536x1017.webp 1536w, https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c4efe252ba8dfdc4094f457c01523e63.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge seen in this September 2012 file photo connects NASA Kennedy Space Center to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (Courtesy\/NASA)<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/div><\/div><\/ul><div><button>Show Caption<\/button><div><span>1<\/span> of <span>9<\/span><\/div><div>Examples of collapsed duct banks and corroding transformers at Kennedy Space Center. (Courtesy\/NASA OIG)<\/div><span>Expand<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>KSC alone needs $1 billion to address its shortcomings and so far has only about $250 million set aside to help allay the needs, and that only came after maneuvers last year to shoehorn in funds into Trump\u2019s One, Big Beautiful Bill.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do have legitimate needs at Kennedy Space Center,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indoan Harbour Beach, who represents the Space Coast and chairs the U.S. House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. \u201cWe made significant strides \u2026 maybe cut that by a quarter of its needs, but if we\u2019re going to continue to win this space race, we need to make strategic investments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those funds will go to many of the things detailed in the new audit, including beginning work on an electrical grid upgrade and dealing with the increase in wastewater from increased activity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not as sexy as launch pads, but all these things we talk about are what make a viable, long-term, usable rocket launch location,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you build a house, you want a great foundation. We want to make sure we have all the instruments in place, so that it\u2019s not just a short-term run up. We think space is going to become an increasingly important role \u2026 the sewer lines are as valuable as as the launch pad.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>What needs fixing?<\/h4>\n<p>At issue is the rate of launches and the increasing size of the rockets lifting off from the Space Coast, according to the audit. While NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center houses just two active launch sites, all of the launch activity at neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station also relies on the infrastructure taxing KSC.<\/p> <!--Ad-Slot: outstream_video-->\n<p>The site was designed to support single launches months apart, and just in 2025, the Space Coast saw 109 launches averaging one launch every few days. Those numbers are expected to grow with the introduction of SpaceX\u2019s Starship and other new commercial rockets coming online. The audit forecasts the Space Coast will be near capacity by 2028 or 2029, and projects as many as 268 launches by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt Kennedy, common use launch infrastructure that the Center and government and commercial partners use to provide electrical power, gas supply and distribution, and transportation to launch pads is in poor condition and lacks the capacity to support growing needs,\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>The electrical grid problems are among the most critical. Some of its issues result from hardware installed in the 1960s, with collapsed duct banks that prevent easy electrical line replacement, as well as corrosion on transformers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCritical electrical power distribution infrastructure is being used beyond its design life and needs to be upgraded,\u201d the audit reads. \u201cA failure of any portion of the electrical power distribution system could severely impact launches and lead to delays that could last for extended periods of time.\u201d<\/p> <!--Ad-Slot: cube_article-->\n<p>The projected cost to fix the electrical issues is $136 million. It\u2019s at the top of the list, but work is not expected to begin until later this year and will take years to complete.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the interim, the current infrastructure will remain in use to support launches such as Artemis, the Human Landing System, and the growing commercial space industry, leaving launch operations and schedules vulnerable for delays,\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>The power demands across KSC will also soon exceed its capacity, especially with the introduction of Starship. SpaceX is already planned to augment power supply by bringing large-scale rechargeable lithium-ion battery storage on site as a single launch of its heavy-lift rocket will require more power than will be available.<\/p>\n<p>As SpaceX aims for up to 44 Starship launches a year from KSC, those demands will \u201cincrease substantially,\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpaceX\u2019s future concept of operations expects the long-term electrical power need for LC 39A to increase substantially due to enhancements at the launch pad, including on-site propellant generation that will require significant power demand,\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>The audit also details limitations in the propellant supply in place for both KSC and Cape Canaveral.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cExisting infrastructure for the provision of nitrogen and helium gases to the launch pads is insufficient to simultaneously support multiple users leading to major scheduling challenges and potential delays,\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>It notes that at current capacity with the systems\u00a0pumps, vaporizers and storage tanks, there is no way to support both a launch of NASA\u2019s Space Launch System rocket for Artemis and a Blue Origin New Glenn at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Another big headache is the wear and tear on the roads, including the Roy D. Bridges Bride that crosses the Banana River and is the direct connection between Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.<\/p>\n<p>Much of the road infrastructure was built in the 1960s and not prepared for the massive influx of traffic to support so many launches. In 2019, when the Space Coast had only 17 launches, there were less 2,000 over-the-road transports through KSC. With 2025\u2019s 109 launches, that number grew to 8,752 trips.<\/p>\n<p>With SpaceX\u2019s Starship plans, that number is forecast to grow to 19,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>The bridge, specifically, has been a long-term sticking point, including just who and how its replacement would be funded. Its owned by NASA, but used by both commercial and Department of Defense entities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe bridge was constructed in the 1960s and has exceeded its design life,\u201d the audit reports. \u201cNASA plans to repair the bridge over the next several years to restore its load bearing capacity; however, the project has not been approved or fully funded.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For now, the agency has had to perform several $1 million minor repair jobs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile these repairs are intended to address structural concerns in the near term, they will not resolve the bridge\u2019s underlying design limitations.\u201d the audit reads.<\/p>\n<p>Kennedy officials project the bridge and roadway repair needs will cost upward of $200 million over the next 10 years, the audit stated.<\/p>\n<p>NASA has been trying to work with Space Florida, the state\u2019s aerospace finance and development authority, and the state Department of Transportation for years to lay out its replacement, but for now, it remains unfunded.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5516\">Japan and Sweden play to 1-1 draw as both advance to knockout round at the World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>A shortage of funds<\/h4>\n<p>The extra funds that came through last year\u2019s one-time reconciliation bill do help, but they were inserted because of five straight years of diminishing construction and maintenance funds in NASA\u2019s annual budget.<\/p>\n<p>Those funds have dropped between 11% and 47% year over year when adjusted for inflation, and are spread out among all of NASA\u2019s facilities. This had led to delays. The electrical issues, for instance, were first reported in the early 2000s, the audit states, but will only get its first funding allocation at the end of fiscal 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The audit for now recommends NASA conduct a study to understand heavy vehicle traffic and come up with a mitigation plan to address the impacts. It also suggests prioritizing the funding from the reconciliation bill to tackle the most emergent needs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s like any other issue, you\u2019re going to triage it,\u201d Haridopolos said. \u201cWhat is the most important thing we should be funding? And sometimes when you look at this type of infrastructure issue, they\u2019re going to go, but what do you need wastewater for? We need more launch pads.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>NASA\u2019s response to the audit said it expects its transportation impact study to be complete in conjunction with the Space Force by the end of October. It has also already prioritized where the $254 million from the reconciliation bill will be allocated, although transportation infrastructure improvements did not make the cut.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKSC conducted a comprehensive prioritization, which identified 38 projects addressing the most pressing common-use infrastructure needs,\u201d NASA officials wrote in response to the audit. \u201cAvailable funding supports execution of the highest-priority subset of these requirements, enabling investment in 11 critical projects focused primarily on electrical power distribution and gas supply systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The audit also suggests trying to charge companies through launch service agreements to offset operations and maintenance costs, but a bigger solution will need the help of lawmakers.<\/p>\n<p>For now, NASA cannot accept money from commercial companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to fund some of these repairs. Current law prohibits NASA from receiving money directly from commercial partners for infrastructure needs despite commercial launches amounting to 70% of the missions flown from the Space Coast.<\/p>\n<p>Haridopolos, though, has plans to introduce in the House a version of the Space Ready Act, which was filed already in the U.S. Senate last year by Florida\u2019s Sen. Ashley Moody.<\/p>\n<p>That would allow NASA to conduct a pilot program at KSC and establish an Infrastructure Investment Fund that could accept such contributions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf someone says to me, \u2018Hey, I\u2019ll pick up the cost, so we can win the space race. Are you OK with that?\u2019 I\u2019d be like, \u2018Hell yeah, I\u2019m okay with that. Just do it in a transparent way, and don\u2019t be both selfish about it, where it\u2019s just for you. And I think we can make this happen,\u201d Haridopolos said.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s already a hurdle the Department of Defense has worked around, and with their increased use of the launch site for national security launches, Haridopolos said Congress has been working with them to see just what they can bring to the funding table as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think what we need to do is work hand in hand with armed services and our defense appropriators to recognize the realities of it,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone recognizes how important space is to our national defense effort, and so we expect some of those Department of War dollars to make its way to places like Kennedy Space Center, because this is where we launch a lot of our military satellites.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>What about state help?<\/h4>\n<p>The former Florida legislator, who was President of the Florida Senate when Rick Scott was in office as governor, also said he expects Florida\u2019s contribution to the Space Coast will only increase in the future.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Space Florida gets about $17 million a year for operational budget but limited funds for infrastructure investment. The 2026 budget gives it just $3 million to go toward statewide aerospace infrastructure investments. In comparison, states like Texas have much larger pools of money that it has been throwing to attraction businesses to the state.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTexas has a great model, they have more significant resources going to their space funding program than Florida, and I think that as we grow here and see companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin specifically continue to invest billions of dollars, I think the state will recognize that the (return on investment) is well worth it,\u201d Haridopolos said.<\/p>\n<p>Florida\u2019s approach has been instead to attract business through tax breaks and capital investment fund management, for now.<\/p>\n<p>Space Florida CEO Rob Long said the state has not ignored KSC\u2019s needs, and pointed out the work done by the DOT to replace the NASA Causeway over the Indian River Bridge among other projects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you just look at the bigger picture, you know the state\u2019s invested over a half a billion dollars in spaceport infrastructure,\u201d he said. \u201cI think over 70% of that was on Kennedy Space Center property. So we\u2019ve got a longstanding partnership, and it\u2019s been very successful over the years, and I\u2019m looking forward to continuing that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kennedy Space Center\u2019s new director Brian Hughes recently met with the Space Florida Board of Directors to encourage more investment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to stay competitive, and quite frankly, if you\u2019re a Star Wars fan or student of national security and defense, the high ground matters, and space is the ultimate high ground, and if we simply turn our backs on what some of those adversaries in the world are doing, the next generations will suffer for it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Calling KSC a jewel of Florida history and the nation\u2019s history, he said they had a responsibility to keep it moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat requires investment and in challenging financial times that we see at the federal government sometimes at state level and even local levels,\u201d he said. \u201cHere in Florida, we can have a lot of economic growth built around it. You all recognize that your agenda reflects that, so we think it\u2019s good for Florida and the nation to do everything we can to work together to foster industry and keep, keep that moving.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From Haridopolos\u2019 standpoint, he said he will help Congress push where it can while encouraging more state investment and opening up commercial companies the contribute a share.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA billion dollars is \u2013 I know some people think it\u2019s not a lot of money, I think it\u2019s a lot of money \u2013 and I know how competitive these dollars are,\u201d he said. \u201cSo we can get our partners to pony up some of these, recognizing where we\u2019re going. It\u2019s going to help us win the space race, which in turn grows our economy.\u201d<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5514\">Tense Winter Park meeting fails to give Blue Bamboo rent relief<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kennedy Space Center needs $1 billion in infrastructure fixes, according to a NASA Office of the Inspector General audit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-science"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>NASA audit warns $1 billion needed to repair Kennedy Space Center\u2019s stressed infrastructure - 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