HAWAI`I PREPARES TO ENTER SPACE TOURISM INDUSTRY
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2009
New law allows state to fund study for commercial spaceport license from FAA
HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today offered his continued support for a new law that lays the groundwork for long-term economic growth and diversification in Hawai‘i by entering the space tourism industry.
The measure, HB 994, appropriates $500,000 in non-general, special revenue funds to conduct an environmental assessment required to apply for a commercial spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration, a move that could help Hawai‘i carve a niche in the burgeoning commercial space sector and build upon its growing aerospace industry.
The measure also helps Hawai‘i move closer to launching spaceplanes from State airports, where they will take private citizens into space, and ultimately shuttle them between Hawai‘i and Asia-Pacific nations in less than an hour.
“The potential economic benefits of commercial space flights in Hawai‘i are substantial,” said Lt. Governor Aiona, who is a member of the Aerospace States Association, a national organization focused on promoting federal aerospace policy. “A space tourism industry could generate up to $200 million in annual revenues for our state, and provide new training and employment opportunities for our workforce. There will be a growing demand for aerospace engineers and technicians to service this rapidly emerging industry, and several aerospace companies have already expressed interest in operating out of Hawai‘i.”
Completing the spaceport licensing process would take approximately three years and include environmental and safety studies, a public review process and a formal license application.
Eleven other states have already applied or received spaceport licenses from the FAA. They include Alaska, California, Florida, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The legislation also comes two years after the Lingle-Aiona Administration in July 2007 opened the Office of Aerospace Development within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The office has been working closely with the FAA in developing this initiative.
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For more information, contact:
Travis Taylor
Communications Director
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
(808) 586-0255
