Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has created the Governor’s Space Council (GSC), setting the state’s sights on expanding its space industry footprint.
The GSC will advise the governor on strategies and opportunities to develop Washington as a global leader in the space industry and economy. While the state has already demonstrated its capacity as a space industry pioneer, the council will provide further recommendations to maintain its competitiveness and additional options to advance Washington-based commercial launch capabilities.
The council is primarily composed of leaders and representatives from the commercial space industry, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, higher education institutions and labor, among other areas of expertise. A total of 23 individuals were selected to take a seat on the council, coming from a variety of public and private institutions.
Key responsibilities for the GSC will include:
- Evaluating the state’s competitive position relative to other states and nations in the commercial space economy.
- Identifying obstacles and opportunities for industry growth.
- Assessing workforce development, education and research needs.
- Evaluating infrastructure and supply chain capacity.
- Examining opportunities and requirements for Washington-based commercial launch capabilities and other space-related infrastructure.
- Advising the governor on methods and recommendations to bolster the state’s leadership in commercial space and aerospace innovation.
Currently, Washington hosts more than 90 space companies that generate $4.6 billion in annual economic activity and $1.6 billion in annual payroll. The state builds roughly 66 percent of global operational satellites and its higher education institutions boast a pivotal role in preparing the space industry’s future workforce.
Photo by SpaceX from Pexels
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