Space Coast Has Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Support New Type of Commercial Space Business

All Points working to provide services through Titusville-based Center for Innovation and Technical Excellence

Fifty years ago, an exceptional generation of men and women helped to launch Americans into space and land NASA astronauts on the Moon. Buzz Aldrin, above, walked on the Moon with Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11, July 20-21, 1969. Today, the next generation of space travel is increasing the launch tempo on Florida’s Space Coast and creating new business opportunities for launch support services that have not been seen before. (NASA image)

“The next generation of space travel is increasing the launch tempo on Florida’s Space Coast and creating new business opportunities for launch support services that have not been seen before.”

– All Points CEO Phil Monkress

THE SPACE COAST, FLORIDA • USA – Fifty years ago, an exceptional generation of men and women helped launch Americans into space and land NASA astronauts on the Moon.

Today, the next generation of space travel is increasing the launch tempo on Florida’s Space Coast and creating new business opportunities for launch support services that have not been seen before.

New launchers like Vulcan, Firefly Alpha, Relativity Space, Omega, New Glenn, and RocketLab will require highly efficient approaches to final flight hardware integration and testing that do not rely on traditional government operations and contractors.

When they start launching from our Brevard coast, they will discover diminishing options for pre-launch facilities and services at our federal launch bases.

These launchers will need logistics support such as secure storage for materials and equipment, kitting and receiving and transportation services.

Spacecraft testing will require facilities with clean rooms and assembly areas. Technical support like launch control, modeling and simulation, laboratories, and software and IT support will be needed.

Spacecraft testing will require facilities with clean rooms and assembly areas. Technical support like launch control, modeling and simulation, laboratories, and software and IT support will be needed. (NASA image)

What happens when our traditional approach to these services – usage of ample federal facilities and resources – is no longer viable?

Costs will come down and we will be facing nothing less than a fundamental transformation in our space industry that is already having profound effects on the Space Coast and other U.S. launch sites.

This growing demand for pre-launch ground services to affordably prepare spacecraft and payloads for flight will drive innovative local approaches.

Outsourcing will become increasingly attractive as economies of scale drive down costs and processing times. As more of this supply chain shifts to the Space Coast, we will also see more jobs in space-related engineering, software and cyber.

As NASA manager Mark Wiese recently stated in a Florida Today article, “If you’re going to make space cheaper, you have to simplify the supply chain, so if we can get more business here locally in Florida, the quicker and easier it will be as space just starts to tick and accelerate.”

WATCH: All Points hosted an Open House recently at the company’s newly refurbished Merritt Island, Florida headquarters where All Points CEO Phil Monkress, center; Steve Lloyd, All Points Chief Development Officer, right; and Sid Kaul, All Points Senior Vice President for Innovation talked about the company’s exciting growth plans.

ARE WE READY?

Creating a successful and sustainable space services eco-system that extends beyond the boundaries of KSC and CCAFS opens a range of entrepreneurial opportunities.

Local and state government and economic development leaders can foster the creation and expansion of local businesses in addition to enticing out-of-state manufacturers to locate facilities here.

Our political leaders are needed to ensure approaches defined at the federal level align with Florida’s aspirations. New partnerships between businesses and local universities, NASA and the U.S. Air Force will be an essential element of this transformation.

At All Points, for example, we are already working to provide these services through a Titusville-based facility known as our Center for Innovation and Technical Excellence and planning a logistics center that will be dedicated to launch site support.

WATCH: All Points Announces Expansion of Launch Site Services on Florida’s Space CoastRelated Story:
WATCH: All Points Announces Expansion of Launch Site Services on Florida’s Space Coast

These integrated initiatives will create high-paying jobs and help further establish the Space Coast as a leading player in the transformation of the U.S. space industry.

This transformation will require expansion of our skilled workforce, new ventures in facility development, and bold investments that demonstrate the Space Coast as is the top choice for safely, efficiently and reliably moving spaceflight hardware through launch site operations and a successful mission.

Building on our strengths and history, the Space Coast has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support an entirely new type of commercial space business.

Space businesses based on the Space Coast specializing in ground systems and operations could anchor a new global commercial launch site services industry.

As the commercial space generation, we need to recognize a comprehensive approach is required now to boldly make a historical mark on the nation’s leadership into the final frontier.

PHIL MONKRESS is President and Chief Executive Officer of Space Coast-based All Points. He drives the company’s strategic and financial direction as head of All Point’s Executive Leadership Team and a leader in providing best-in-class products, services, and solutions to the Government and commercial marketplace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phil Monkress is President and Chief Executive Officer of Merritt Island, Florida-based All Points, a rapidly growing CMMI-DEV Maturity Level 3 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, providing products and services to a diverse set of Federal Government and Civilian agencies.

He drives the company’s strategic and financial direction as head of All Point’s Executive Leadership Team and a leader in providing best-in-class products, services, and solutions to the Government and commercial marketplace.

Prior to All Points, Monkress served as a Field engineer for KPMG performing various roles as a consultant supporting multiple clients in various IT environments across the U.S. and abroad. In 1999, he joined All Points as Chief Operating Officer.

In 2009, he assumed full ownership of the company as President and Chief Executive Officer. Monkress is credited with and was instrumental in All Points’ significant growth into a multi-million dollar corporation, supporting and supplying large Government contracts.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Monkress, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical and Industrial Education from Valdosta State University.

Headquartered on the Space Coast in Florida, All Points has offices in Reston, Virginia; Houston, Texas; and Huntsville, Alabama.

All Points provides a full range of technology and mission-critical services within the firm’s core competencies including Systems Engineering and Technical Services; Information Technology and Cyber Security; Program Management Support; Software Development, Test, and Verification; Life-Cycle Logistics; Intelligence Services; Warfighter and Mission Support; and Hardware and Software Integration and Solutions (VAR).

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