A Push to Get Texas Into the Space Race
The Texas Space Alliance wants the state government to look to the skies. Photo courtesy flickr.com/ckelleyAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
By Brandon Mulder
A commercial space race of sorts has begun, and this week a Texas nonprofit asked the Legislature to help the Lone Star State become part of the enterprise.
The nonprofit is the Texas Space Alliance, which is serving as a liaison between the Legislature and space-oriented private companies. The alliance wants Texas to pay attention to this fledgling industry and to the money it could bring.
Wayne Rast, the group’s legislative affairs director, says that Texas has great geographic, economic and historical advantages that could be enough for companies to put down roots in Texas and cut metal.
“If you wanted to do a launch from Texas and had to abort, you could theoretically try to do an abort over land, and over U.S. land,” Rast said. “But as far south as you could launch will allow you to have the minimal energy to orbit.”
Texas is one of many states working to nurture this immature industry. Rast says the risk is high and competition is tough. But he hopes the Legislature will approve the alliance’s agenda in 2013.
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