With the number of launches increasing on Florida’s Space Coast while the infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center shows its age – and on the heels of a warning from NASA’s top watchdog — a Florida senator proposed a solution to the Cape’s woes.
Senator Ashley Moody visited Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 7 to announce the Space Ready 2.0 Act. While it will not provide new funding, the Space Ready 2.0 Act aims to give NASA a new vehicle to accept contributions from commercial partners. It would be a pilot program.
“You cannot increase capacity of launches (at) that fast a rate without going back and examining how we’re going to maintain this on old infrastructure,” Moody said.
The Republican senator referenced the June 2026 NASA Office of Inspector General report that warned how aging infrastructure at KSC and Cape Canaveral could threaten the growing pace of Florida launches, including NASA’s Artemis moon missions.
“They mentioned that the Kennedy Space Center is utilizing that infrastructure from the 60s, and just to put that in perspective, that goes back to the Apollo program,” said Moody. “That’s the infrastructure that all of these new launches are using to try to keep pace with the new capacity demands.”
Launches from Kennedy have surged 252 percent in five years, rising from 31 Florida launches in 2020 to 109 in 2025. That’s put roads, bridges, electrical systems, gas pipelines and launch support facilities built decades ago under increasing strain.
NASA estimates it needs more than $1 billion to modernize Kennedy’s infrastructure, but has received only $250 million so far, even as commercial launch providers such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and ULA greatly expand their operations. Of last year’s 109 launches, 101 were SpaceX rockets.
As NASA gears up for future Artemis moon missions as well as a Moon Base in a race against China, there are concerns that the main launch pads will not be able to support the demand. And while NASA contracts with private companies to launch from these sites, there is no legal way for the space agency to collect funds to support infrastructure beyond what these companies already pay for specific launch site renovations.
“Florida can’t afford to fall behind,” said Moody. “I’m introducing the Space Ready Act to keep pace with that infrastructure demand and the rapid growth of the commercial space industry.”
Moody described it as a legal way to obtain support and voluntary contributions as launch rates rise.
Moody said the proposal is meant to encourage creative ways to address infrastructure needs while remaining mindful of taxpayer dollars.
“Government should never stand in the way of innovation, and this bill goes a long way to making sure we are clearing out any bureaucratic hurdles to foster more innovation and success in the space race,” Moody said.
“The truth about the spaceport is that nothing here was ever built by one hand,” Space Florida CEO Rob Long said. “Government laid the foundation, private industry brought up a recent ambition, and that’s a partnership that put 109 launches on the board.”
Last year, Moody advocated for the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act, which allows for spaceports to utilize tax-exempt municipal bonds. Airports and seaports operate on a similar system.
“That law de-risks industry’s investment and brings more private capital to the table,” said Long. “The Space Ready Act will do the same.”
“Infrastructure creates capacity, and capacity attracts investment, and investment fuels innovations. But most important, innovation creates jobs,” said Edgar Campbell, who represented the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast at Tuesday’s announcement . “And obviously here in the Space Coast, we are seeing the result of those investments with high-wage jobs extending far beyond the launch pad.”
“I am grateful to Senator Moody for her leadership on the Space-Ready Act, and I look forward to working alongside her to modernize Kennedy Space Center, strengthen our nation’s space capabilities, and ensure Florida remains the launchpad to space for generations to come,” Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos said in an email sent to FLORIDA TODAY.
Meanwhile, KSC Director Brian Hughes had said work is already underway on key problem areas, including upgrades to electricity, wastewater and commodities such as liquid natural gas. NASA has been coordinating with the Space Force, Florida Power & Light, commercial companies and state and federal partners.
“We want to treat our launch infrastructure like the national transportation assets that they are, and make sure we have pathways to build,” said Long.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: To aid aging KSC infrastructure, Florida senator pitches ‘Space Ready Act’
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By Brooke Edwards, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
