National Council Forms To Coordinate State Space Capacity
New Body Aims To Align Regional Strengths With Rising Commercial Demand
The Commercial Space Federation has created a State and Local Council to coordinate how states build and connect their commercial space economies.
“Joining the Commercial Space Federation’s State and Local Council gives Florida a direct line into the federal conversations that shape where this industry invests and grows.”
Rob Long, Space Florida
The trade group announced July 15 that the new council will serve as a membership body for state and regional space and economic development organizations. It is designed to match regional launch, infrastructure, supply chain and workforce capacity with national demand.
The council launches with four founding members: the Texas Space Commission, the Arizona Space Commission, Space Florida and Space Northwest. CSF said the group will convene states that are confronting shared capacity pressures as launch demand rises and space becomes more central to economic competitiveness and national security.
CSF President Dave Cavossa said America’s leadership in space depends on the strength of the industrial base that supports it. He said the council will help align regional strengths with national priorities and “ensure the United States has the capacity, resilience, and coordination needed to lead the next era of commercial space.”
The group is structured to give state and regional members both a presence in Washington and a direct line into CSF’s commercial space membership. According to CSF, council members will receive regular briefings on federal priorities, appropriations and regulatory developments, and will be connected to companies evaluating expansion sites and supply chain partners.
CSF said the council will also create a forum for states to work with one another through roundtables, working groups and strategic dialogues. The aim is to encourage investments that fill national gaps rather than duplicate efforts in individual regions.
Founding members said the council could help channel local activity into national capacity.
“Texas Space Commission commends the Commercial Space Federation for establishing the State and Local Council. By connecting states with one another—and with clear signals from industry as well as federal agencies—this Council can help America’s space economy thrive. The Lone Star State is committed to accelerating investment, strengthening our workforce, expanding critical infrastructure, and creating opportunities nationwide for space activities that improve life here on Earth.” —Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director, Texas Space Commission
“Arizona is proud to be an inaugural member of the State and Local Council alongside our friends at Space Florida, the Texas Space Commission, and Space Northwest because we are a rising space state built to win the new space race. CSF and its State and Local Council are vital to moving commercial space forward because the real innovation happens in the states. Arizona is where every Apollo moonwalker trained, and today we deliver elite manufacturing, university-led missions, a powerful aerospace supply chain, and emerging spaceports in Yuma and Sierra Vista. Our libertarian spirit and cowboy culture of bold independence drive the fearless innovation America needs. As a key space leader, we’re a key voice in the conversation to shape space policy, strengthen supply chains, and secure U.S. dominance in the trillion-dollar space economy.”—Brett Mecum, Chairman, Arizona Space Commission
“Washington State’s space ecosystem is one of our great economic strengths, shaped by major industry anchors, ambitious growth companies, entrepreneurs, and a deep base of technical talent and advanced manufacturing capability. Space Northwest is proud to join the Commercial Space Federation’s State and Local Council to help connect Washington’s strengths with national policy conversations, industry priorities, and the next phase of commercial space growth.”—Kelly Maloney, Chair, Board of Directors, Space Northwest
“Joining the Commercial Space Federation’s State and Local Council gives Florida a direct line into the federal conversations that shape where this industry invests and grows. It’s a natural extension of the work we’re already doing to connect Florida’s aerospace ecosystem to national demand.”—Rob Long, Colonel (Ret.), President and CEO, Space Florida
CSF said membership in the State and Local Council is open to state and regional space organizations. Organizations interested in joining were directed to contact Strategic Advisor for Global Markets and Industry Engagement Kelli Kedis Ogborn by email.