Group will advise Governor on maintaining our competitive edge in the space economy
SEATTLE – Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Space Council at the Museum of Flight yesterday in Seattle.
The body, which includes representatives from the commercial space industry, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, higher education institutions, labor and more, will advise Governor Ferguson on how to keep Washington competitive in the industry and identify ways the state can improve its standing as a global leader in the space economy.
The council will also look for ways we might be able to develop Washington-based commercial launch capabilities.
“Washington has deep roots in the space industry,” Governor Ferguson said. “But the industry moves at an incredible pace. To remain a national leader, we cannot be complacent. My council will help us innovate and adapt as this sector rapidly grows.”
Washington state is already a global leader in the space industry. For example, Boeing workers in Kent built the lunar rovers that explored the surface of the moon during the Apollo missions. Since then, generations of Washington companies have made leaps forward in software, propulsion, materials, telecommunications and much more.
Washington is home to more than 90 space companies employing more than 13,000 workers. They generating approximately $4.6 billion in annual economic activity and $1.6 billion in annual payroll. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s operational satellites are built in Washington. Washington’s premiere universities play a critical role in research, development and growing the industry’s future workforce.
Space Council Details
Specifically, the Governor’s Space Council will:
- Evaluate Washington’s competitive position relative to other leading states and nations in the commercial space economy;
- Identify barriers and opportunities for industry growth;
- Evaluate workforce development, education, and research needs;
- Assess infrastructure and supply chain capacity;
- Evaluate opportunities and requirements for Washington-based commercial launch capabilities and other space-related infrastructure; and
- Advise the Governor on options and recommendations to strengthen Washington’s leadership in commercial space and aerospace innovation.
The Governor’s Space Council members include:
- Andy Lapsa, Stoke Space
- Rob Meyerson, Interlune
- Jeff Thornburg, Portal Space Systems
- Austin Link, Starfish Space
- Colin Doughan, Gravitics
- Michael Edmonds, Blue Origin
- Lisa Scalpone, Amazon LEO
- Cornelia Rosu, SpaceX
- Kelly Maloney, Space Northwest
- Kent Mayor Dana Ralph
- Redmond Mayor Angela Birney
- Claudia Kauffman, D-47th District
- Alex Ybarra, R-13th District
- Brendan Wales, FUSE
- Jason Chan, IAM 751
- Ray Goforth, SPEEA
- Bill Pike, PNNL
- Mehran Mesbahi, University of Washington
- Washington State University President Betsy Cantwell
- Lynn Strickland, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee
- Trevor Devaney, Hi-Rel Laboratories
- Scott Keeney, nLIGHT
- Philip Johnston, Starcloud
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