'Move Everyone Down Here' – Gov. Ron DeSantis Suggests Moving NASA From Washington D.C. To Florida Since 'Nobody Goes To It'

Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new pitch for Florida: bring NASA headquarters to the Sunshine State. Speaking at the Kennedy Space Center, he laid out a case that's as bold as practical. According to DeSantis, Washington D.C. isn't the right home for NASA anymore. Florida is.

"They have this massive building in D.C. and like nobody goes to it," DeSantis said in his signature direct style. His argument? NASA belongs where the action is – on Florida's Space Coast. "Why not just shutter it and move everyone down here?"

It's not just about geography. Florida is already a powerhouse in the aerospace industry. With 150,000 aerospace workers, three active spaceports and billions flowing into the state's economy, DeSantis says it's the logical next step.

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"Hopefully, with the new administration coming in, they'll see a great opportunity to headquarter NASA on the Space Coast," he added, pointing out that Florida is home to the busiest spaceport in the world.

Rob Long, CEO of Space Florida, echoed that sentiment, saying Florida has the workforce, infrastructure and leadership to handle the nation's most important space operations. "It makes logical sense to me to take the headquarters of the nation's space agency and put it in the state that is already leading across the space industry in general and in research and in talent," Long said.

But not everyone is sold on the idea. According to a CBS News article, Dr. Ken Kremer, a research scientist and editor of Space Up Close, warned that centralizing NASA in Florida could have long-term downsides. "It's bad policy for the public and it is bad politically," Kremer said. He explained that NASA's location in Washington ensures funding and political support from leaders nationwide. "If they concentrate everything in Florida, no one else will care."

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DeSantis didn't dive into specifics like a timeline or legislative plans, but his push to relocate NASA fits into Florida's broader efforts to dominate the space industry. Universities like the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle have already teamed up with the Kennedy Space Center to create the Florida University Space Research Consortium, which positions the state as a leader in space research grants.

Whether or not NASA makes the move, DeSantis's pitch underscores Florida's growing role in the space economy. Space Florida estimates the state generates $1.1 billion annually from aerospace activities. For DeSantis, that's just the beginning.

So, while the nation debates the merits of moving NASA, the governor's message is simple: Florida's ready to launch.

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