About Us

The National Space Club Florida (NSCFL) Committee is one of three regional committees (including Huntsville, AL and Los Angeles, CA) of the National Space Club in Washington, D.C.

Since its incorporation, the National Space Club objectives have been consistently to:

• Promote America's space leadership through conferences and other literary and educational means.
• Stimulate the advancement of civilian and military applications of rocketry and astronautics and related technologies for the benefit of all mankind.
• Bring together persons from the federal government, industry, educational institutions, the press and other walks of life for the exchange of information on rocketry and astronautics, and through them to inform the public at large.
• Provide suitable recognition and do honor to organizations and individuals who have contributed to the advancement of rocketry and astronautics.

The Florida Committee headquartered on Florida's "Space Coast", which is home to the historic launch pads of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center, is a non-profit corporation composed of private individuals representing industry, government, the Department of Defense, regional educational institutions, and the media – all of whom share a commitment to increasing public awareness of America's aerospace programs. The NSCFL Committee promotes awareness through hosting monthly luncheons, sponsoring educational opportunities, recognizing significant achievement, and promoting aerospace leadership in a region heavily influenced by aerospace activities.

Our Activities

The NSCFL Committee focuses on increasing the awareness of Aerospace and its importance to our past and future. Each year the Committee identifies significant contributions to America's space program, particularly within our region by recognizing individuals with the following awards:

Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award

Named for the first director of the Kennedy Space Center, this award recognizes a person who has made a particularly important contribution to the space program during the past year while working on Florida's Space Coast.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes the contributions of experienced people who have spent much of their career dedicated to making a difference in the space program.

Rising Star Award (Lifetime Achievement Co-Award)

Started in 2011, this award recognizes "above & beyond” accomplishments of young achievers who have made contributions to the space industry in Florida through either technical, education, or leadership aerospace related activities.

Harry Kolcum Memorial News and Communications Award

Named for the late aerospace writer who worked for Aviation Week Space Technology, this award recognizes the contributions of professional journalists and communicators to inform the public about launch operations from the Cape.

Florida National Defense Space Award

Created to recognize significant achievements and contributions made by Department of Defense (DoD) personnel while on duty in the State of Florida. The award celebrates major contributions of DoD active duty military, DoD civilians and DoD contractors in space-related areas that significantly contribute to the defense of our nation.

Space Week

The NSCFL Committee founded and annually sponsors Space Week for Brevard County students. Each year some 6,000 local sixth-grade students spend a day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in an effort to stimulate an interest in science and engineering. During this event teachers lead students in activities and projects that relate to the vision for Space Exploration. In addition to the recognition of storied career achievements, the NSCFL Committee also enhances the awareness of Aerospace among our region’s youth to stimulate their future career opportunities. The NSCFL Committee also promotes activities that enlighten members and the general public about space related events.

Space Ball

Each year we host the Space Ball where members, guests and those interested can enjoy an evening of dining, dancing and socializing.

Monthly Luncheons

Luncheons are held several times during the year and provide an opportunity for members and invited guests to mingle and hear presentations by leading aerospace officials on timely topics of interest to Florida and the Space community.

Membership

Membership is key to helping the NSCFL Committee achieve its stated purpose and objectives, and your association with others in the aerospace community can also provide a rich return on investment.

The National Space NSCFL Florida Committee:

• Offers an opportunity to broaden your association in regional Aerospace industries.
• Provides an opportunity to participate with others in support of our Nation's and State's space policies.
• Serves as a means of keeping current with the latest activities in the field of Astronautics and related sciences.
• Permits attendance at special receptions and functions commending key space events.
• Honors the achievements of current and retired leaders who have shared Florida's space program.
• Raises funds to support educational initiatives that will inspire students to pursue careers in aerospace.

Board of Directors

Steve Griffin – Chairman CSR Jim McCarthy – Vice Chairman URS Mark Jager - Treasurer The Boeing Company Smokey Stover – Secretary Abacus Jim Banke MILA Solutions LLC Richard C. Beagley USA Retired (Emeritus) Gregg Billman Indyne Ernest M. Briel BRPH - Retired Kevin Brown Booz Allen Hamilton Pat Carr ITT Craig Covault Aerospace America Carol Craig Craig Technologies Frank DiBello Space Florida Smallwood Dr. Charles IHA Eddie Ellegood Embry Riddle Aeronautical University George L. English NASA - Retired Dr. Stephen Feldman Astronauts Memorial Foundation Charlie Floyd Qinetiq-North America Butch Gardner The Aerospace Corporation Patrick Gavin (Honorary – Non-Voting) District Director Congressman Posey Jeff Hartnett RS&H George E. Hauer L2 Aerospace LLC Dan Hausman Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne KSC Site Director Scott Henderson Space X Bob Herman ATK Launch Systems Cheryl Hurst NASA Jeff Jacobs Scitor Jim Kennedy NASA Retired - Emeritus

Jerry Jamison United Launch Alliance Dale R. Ketcham Space Research & Tech. Inst. JB Kump Communication and Event Solutions LLC Adrian Laffitte Lockheed Martin Les Lake Raytheon John R. (Dick) Lyon Artic Slope Research Corporation Michael Maier CSC Applied Technology Group Charlie Mars US Space Walk of Fame Forrest S. McCartney Retired NASA Bill Moore Delaware North Parks & Resorts Jerry Moyer Bionetics Mark Nappi United Space Alliance David Nuckles SAIC Charlie O'Connor Jacobs Technology Inc Romy Oliasen Harris Corporation Don Pardue (Honorary – Non-Voting) District Director/Congresswoman Kosmas Duane Ratliff Dynamac Doug Rewinkel Sierra Lobo Dr. Mary Kalen Romjue Ph.D University of Central Florida David Rueh Space Coast Launch Services Bob Sieck NASA - Retired Lee Solid Rockwell/Boeing - Retired Brad Swezey Chief 45th Space Wing Public Affairs Roy Tharpe Northrop Grumman Trase Travers President & CEO/Millennium Engineering & Integration Lynda Weatherman EDC Don White Astrotech LaDonna Neterer Executive Assistant