Jacksonville —
The Cecil Air and Spaceport celebrated the official opening of its new,126-foot air traffic control tower and mission control center today.
The mission control center is dedicated to astronaut Dr. Norman Thagard, the first American astronaut to fly into space on a Russian spacecraft. Dr. Thagard graduated from Jacksonville’s Paxon School for Advanced Studies.
“I am very excited to see how the future of the commercial space industry develops,” he said. “I am encouraged by the innovation at Cecil Spaceport to prepare for that future.”
The air traffic control tower is noted to be able to accommodate the immense growth of Cecil Airport while the mission control center was built to support horizontal launch operations at the Spaceport.
Mark VanLoh, CEO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), said that the JAA worked with partners to build Cecil Air into one of the country’s preeminent general aviation and aerospace facilities.
“Today is a historic day as we look towards Cecil’s future,” he said.
The air traffic control tower is approximately 7,500 square feet while the mission control center is 1,831 square feet. The Florida Department of Transportation and Space Florida provided grants for construction and design. RS&H and Pond designed both facilities.
“Today’s dedication of a new air traffic control tower and spaceport mission control is the next step in attracting aerospace and aviation companies to Florida,” said Space Florida President, and CEO, Frank DiBello. “Cecil Spaceport offers a unique capability to meet market demands of increasing commercial and government aerospace missions.”
For more information please visit www.flyjacksonville.com .
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