TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed relocating NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C. to the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast.
The suggestion, made during a speech in Brevard County on Wednesday, has drawn mixed reactions from space industry leaders and experts.
“They have this massive building in D.C. and no one goes to it. Why not just shutter it and move everyone down here?” DeSantis said.
The governor also expressed optimism.
“Hopefully with the new administration coming in, they’ll see a great opportunity to headquarter NASA on the Space Coast,” DeSantis said.
Rob Long, CEO of Space Florida, supports the governor’s proposal, arguing it aligns with the state’s leadership in the space industry.
“The governor was spot on. When you look at what he highlighted as Florida’s leadership in the space industry, it makes logical sense to move NASA headquarters here,” Long said.
Long emphasized the potential benefits of such a relocation, including boosting Florida’s space economy and consolidating resources.
“It makes logical sense to take the headquarters of the nation’s space agency and put it in the state that is already leading in the space industry, research, and talent,” he said.
Not everyone agrees with DeSantis’ idea. Dr. Ken Kremer, a research scientist and editor of “Space Up Close,” believes relocating NASA’s headquarters would be a mistake. Speaking via Zoom during a road trip, Kremer voiced his concerns.
“I was pretty shocked to hear it and very surprised,” Kremer said. “I really think this is a poor idea. It’s bad policy for the public and bad politically.”
Kremer argues that maintaining a strong presence in Washington, D.C. is crucial for NASA’s funding and operations.
“Basically, all programs are spread across the country. You want expertise and political support from across the country. If they concentrate everything in Florida, then no one else will care,” Kremer said.
While the proposal remains in its early stages, DeSantis has not provided a timeline or specific steps to pursue the relocation.