SpaceX is
launching a Falcon 9 rockets from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Sunday. The payload reported to be an Air Force NROL-76 satellite, which there is little is publicly known of its purpose as it is from the National Reconnaissance Office and information is mostly classified. This will be SpaceX's first flight dedicated to NRO's mission and hopes to show they are a viable alternative to future missions.
A
little history, SpaceX threatened to sue the Air Force in 2014 for unfair bidding practices, namely only awarding contracts to United Launch Alliance. The suit was dropped when NRO awarded Sunday's launch to SpaceX as a sole-source contract. This is seen as ultimately a huge win for the government (and, in turn, the US taxpayer), as now there are multiple sources to provide this service, hence, increasing competition. One thing to note, ULA has been resistant to this sort of competition, not only because of the threat it poses on the companies sole provider-ship, but also in the fact that SpaceX has been able to provide service at a much lower cost.
This lower cost is undoubtedly enabled by the remarkable success of SpaceX's reusable rockets. That is a great achievement for Elon Musk's company, but the goal he announce at the end of March was really interesting.
Reflight of reusable rockets, not only with commercial payloads, but government contracts! If Mr. Musk is able to achieve this goal, and with his track record so far, I am not sure I would doubt he can't, we could see the ushering in of a new age of space flight. It could be a renaissance of space activity on the east coast Florida that is reminiscent back to the days of the Apollo or shuttle missions.
Anyone that grew up during those times and lived on the east coast of Florida remembers how exciting and amazing it was to be living so close to the action. Launches arching over head on a regular basis carrying space travelers to new, far-flung destinations. The space shuttle riding "piggy-back" along the coast back to Canaveral. It was an inspiring time for future scientists, astronauts and technology enthusiasts.
What would it look like if the space program came back to life in our backyard? Would and could the Treasure coast be more than a spectator?
The world is a markedly different place then in the 1960's or 80's. The infrastructure has improved, as well as the technology. Commuting to and from Canaveral has become a much easier, comfortable and quicker trip from Indian River county. This is only going to improve as automated vehicles become more prevalent, as well as, electric cars reducing the energy burden of such a commute.
Our world is more connected with high speed internet, streaming video conferencing creating virtual offices, and global interactions happening from our phones. WiFi is allowing us to be mobile and continue to effective and efficient.This is evident in the growing number of people working from their homes.
It is good to remember that areas who lead in certain technologies attract similar industry. Orlando is a
perfect example. Everyone is most likely familiar with the jaw-dropping virtual reality simulation displays and rides at the large amusement parks. What you may not know is Orlando is also a major hub for other industries that are interested in using that cutting edge technology developed in many parks. So, one industry is not only drawing in expertise for their own desires, but that same expertise is staying in the area and expanding into other fields.
The $5 billion dollar success of the
modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) technology industry branching from entrainment into defense contracting, commercial training and education in Orlando is something to examine for the potential of what could happen on the Treasure Coast. Not only growing the rocket vehicular technology and support fields, but nurturing the expansion by enticing other industries which may find the locality to the expertise desirable is the key to creating a new economic boom. This can only be done if the environment and community is receptive and ready to meet the needs of this new population.
Investments in communications should be the first goal. A plan for stable, fast internet capable of handling vast amounts of data needs to be instituted early. WiFi needs to be county wide, or at least to cover the more populated and potential growing residential areas. The system need to be adequately sustainable to increase resiliency and reducing recovery times after the inevitable major storms that are common in the area. This is the technology that is commerce's and the community's lifeline, it needs to be treated as such.
Alternative forms of transportation for commuting need to be explored. The days of the manually driven bus and vehicle are quickly coming to an end. This is the time to be forward thinking on this issue. Looking at available technology, working with transportation experts, and developing cutting edge methods, that reduce traffic, emissions and stress, to move people to and from the Treasure Coast will entice the best and the brightest. Not only will these individuals at the top of their field desire to relocate to an area with forward thinking initiatives that meet their travel needs, but they will be enticed to bring their families to a new, safer, cleaner community to raise their children. A place where fatalities caused by vehicular accidents could be
cut by 90%.
Our aging agricultural industry needs to be approached and new, bold ideas should be set in place. Multiple-use zoning, such as seen in urban development, could be used in the rural lands. Cattle fields that surround the county should be allowed to include vast solar farms. This dual use benefits the farmer, utility and local government by reducing tax burden for the land owner and utility, but increasing the tax revenue for the government through dual use. The real winner is the community by reducing energy costs and saving the individual money. In return, the extra savings gets spent back into the community. The combination of living in a county leading the state, if not the country, in solar ingenuity and benefits of reduced consumption costs will undoubtedly be an appealing draw for anyone.
Before anyone starts to raise a nose at the possibility of "ruining" the character of our county, I ask you to visualize what I am proposing before dismissing it. Nothing in these initiatives needs to be intrusive. With proper planning, legislation, and vision it can all be accomplished with very little negative impact to the appearance and quality of the community. Communication improvements can, and should be, invisible. Automated vehicles only replace those already on the road, and reduce the increasingly burdensome traffic congestion. Solar farms are placed away from the populated areas and can be screened with native vegetation for anyone living close to the field.
These initiatives, with correct planning and advertisement, can not only attract a growing population of new professionals with their families, but summarily increase the quality of life for the current residents and increase tax revenues for the local government. Everyone would benefit from forward thinking, reaching out to industry, conducting proper planning and investing wisely.
As companies at Kennedy Space Center are looking towards the heavens, dreaming and achieving impossible goals, we, as a community, should be doing the same. Not letting ourselves be stuck in self-limiting mindsets, but dreaming big and acting bold!
The question at hand is not "if this is going to happen"? It is happening, SpaceX, ULA, NASA and others are already reaching towards the stars. The question for us is, are we going to, once again, remain on the beach watching this amazing period of history unfold at our doorstep or are we going to be an active participant in its success, by having the vision and courage to seize this opportunity, lifting the quality of life and future for the entire community to new and wondrous heights?
