Oct 31, 2011

David Weaver/Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 david s weaver@nasa gov/michael curie@nasa gov

Amber Philman Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 amber n philman@nasa gov

Tina Lange, APR Space Florida Communications, Cape Canaveral 321-223-1013 tlange@cfl rr com

Paula Korn Boeing Space Exploration Communications, Houston 281-226-4114, 281-658-0337 paula korn@boeing com

RELEASE: 11-349

NASA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH SPACE FLORIDA TO REUSE KENNEDY FACILITIES

Boeing to Build Commercial Spacecraft at Kennedy, Create 550 Jobs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- In an innovative agreement that will create new jobs, NASA today announced a partnership with Space Florida to exclusively occupy, use and modify Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility-3, the Space Shuttle Main Engine Processing Facility and Processing Control Center

"The next era of space exploration won't wait, and so we can't wait for Congress to do its job and give our space program the funding it needs That's why my Administration will be pressing forward, in partnership with Space Florida and the private sector, to create jobs and make sure America continues to lead the world in exploration and discovery," President Barack Obama said

Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency of the state of Florida, is leasing the Orbiter Processing Facility-3 to the Boeing Company to manufacture and test the company's Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft, creating up to 550 jobs along the Space Coast The 15-year use permit deal is the latest step Kennedy is making as the center transitions from a historically government-only launch complex to a multi-user spaceport

"Neither NASA nor the Space Coast can afford to stand still We must be aggressive in pursuing this next generation of space exploration -- and the jobs and innovation that will accompany it," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said

"Kennedy continues working to bring new commercial space activities to the center," said Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana "Partnering with Space Florida to enable commercial space operations at Kennedy will help NASA maintain facilities and assets while supporting our nation's space objectives and expanding opportunities for the U S economy "

In addition to the agreement Boeing is signing with Space Florida to reuse existing KSC facilities, the aerospace company announced it is locating it Commercial Crew Program headquarters at the center

"We are extremely pleased that Boeing will locate its commercial crew headquarters here in Florida," said Frank DiBello, president of Space Florida "This positions our state well for future growth and a leadership role in NASA's next-generation human space exploration initiatives It is also a key factor in ensuring Florida's space-related economy continues to thrive "

The goal of NASA's Commercial Crew Program is to facilitate the development of a U S commercial crew space transportation capability by achieving safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from the International Space Station and future low Earth orbit destinations

"We selected Florida for the commercial crew headquarters because of its close proximity to not only our NASA customer at Kennedy Space Center, but also because of outstanding facilities and an experienced space workforce," said John Elbon, vice president and program manager of Boeing's Commercial Crew Programs

Boeing is developing the CST-100, a reusable capsule-shaped spacecraft that will consist of a crew module and service module for transporting up to seven people, or a combination of people and cargo to space

For information about Space Florida, visit:

http://www spaceflorida gov

For information about NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit:

http://www nasa gov/kennedy

For more information about NASA's commercial transportation programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov/exploration/commercial/index html

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