Designated by the FAA in 2020, Exploration Spaceport at Space Coast Regional Airport is one of just 14 licensed spaceports in the United States and is authorized for horizontal launch and landing operations by the FAA’s Office of Spaceports. Strategically located within a designated Spaceport Territory, the site offers unique advantages for aerospace and commercial space operations, including access to Foreign Trade Zone #136 (FTZ #136), which provides customs and tax benefits that support global trade, manufacturing, and logistics. Florida leads the nation with six licensed spaceports, all situated along the East Coast, cementing the state’s leadership in the growing space economy.

Though still in development, the Exploration Spaceport Master Plan aims to position the site as a hub for commercial aerospace growth, cutting-edge research, testing, and horizontal launch operations. Key goals include:

• Establishing Exploration Spaceport as a premier aerospace destination
• Aligning airport and spaceport development plans
• Leveraging regional access to air, maritime operations, rail, and Kennedy Space Center
• Supporting flexible, multi-user facilities and infrastructure
• Attracting top aerospace talent and retaining quality tenants

To ensure long-term success, the strategy also focuses on:

• Maximizing the value and use of current and future properties
• Supporting tenants with outstanding service and growth opportunities
• Promoting the area’s quality of life—proximity to beaches, Orlando attractions, and a temperate climate
• Encouraging public-private partnerships (P3s) to drive innovation and investment

With strategic vision and collaborative leadership, Exploration Spaceport is poised to become a cornerstone of Florida’s thriving aerospace economy.