WATCH: Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long Talks with Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson

Long is a retired U.S. Space Force colonel

WATCH: Rob Long, right, president and CEO of Space Florida, met with the Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson at the Erdman Automotive Studio in Cocoa. They discussed all things space related.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Rob Long, president and CEO of Space Florida, stopped by the Erdman Automotive Studio in Cocoa, and sat down with me to discuss the current state of the space industry. The enthusiasm and excitement displayed by Long were contagious.

Long and I talked about many different things, one of which was the increasing number of launches we are seeing from the Space Coast.  In 2023, there were 72 launches in Brevard County, and 2024 is well on its way to a record year for the number of launches. In fact, Long told me, “We are on track for roughly 100.”

We also discussed the positive impact of the commercial space industry. He told me, “A lot of us that have been around the industry for a while, had predicted, and saw this coming, but we weren’t sure when.” Long continued, “The innovation that has driven us to this point, I think is key. It’s just unlocked the capability within the industry, and the commercial market specifically.”

Space Florida is in the early stages of rebranding. I asked Long about this, and he told me, “We are at a point now where the industry is growing, in many cases exponentially, and we felt it was the right time to match the industry growth.” The branding rollout will occur in the coming weeks.

Rob Long has a vision for the space industry. His leadership is unquestionable, having retired from the United States Space Force as a colonel. Space Florida is in good hands with Long at the helm. It truly is an exciting time to be living on the Space Coast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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