The National Space Club Florida Committee is one of three regional committees of the National Space Club in Washington, D.C. We provide information on space activities through monthly luncheons, promoting space leadership, stimulating advancement of space applications, sponsoring educational activities, and providing recognition for contributions to advancements in aerospace science, operations, research, and education.

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.

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

Mike Maier – Chairman: Computer Sciences Raytheon
Dr. Stephen Feldman – Vice Chairman: Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Jim McCarthy – Secretary
Steve Griffin – Treasurer: Space Coast Launch Services
Jim Banke: MILA Solutions, LLC
Jim  Barfield: Luke & Associates
Dick Beagley: United Space Alliance (Retired)
Gregg Billman: Indyne
Ernie Briel: BRPH (Retired)  
Kevin Brown: Booz Allen Hamilton
Pat Carr: ITT Corporation
Craig Covault: Spaceflight Now
Carol Craig: Craig Technologies
Frank DiBello: Space Florida
George English: NASA (Retired)
Charlie Floyd: Analex
Butch Gardner: Aerospace Corporation
Valeria Guenther: Congressional District Office Liaison
Dr. Frederic Ham: Florida Tech
Jeff Hartnett: RS&H
George Hauer: Astrotech Space Operations
Dan Hausman: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
Bob Herman: ATK
Cheryl Hurst: NASA Liaison
Jeff Jacobs: Scitor
Mark Jager: The Boeing Company
Jerry Jamison: United Launch Alliance
Jim Kennedy: NASA (Retired) 		Dale Ketcham: Spaceport Research & Tech Institute
JB Kump: Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute
Adrian Laffitte: Lockheed Martin
Les Lake: Raytheon
Dick Lyon: ASRC Aerospace
Charlie Mars: U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum
Forrest McCartney: NASA/Lockheed (Retired)
Bill Moore: Delaware North Parks & Resorts
Brian Mosdell: SpaceX
Jerry Moyer: Bionetics
Mark Nappi: United Space Alliance
John Newstreet: Congressional District Office Liaison
Charlie O'Connor: Jacobs
Greg Pavlovich: SAIC
Duane Ratliff: Dynamac
Doug Rewinkel: Sierra Lobo
Dr. Mary Kalen Romjue: University of Central Florida
Kathryn Rudloff: Congressional District Office Liaison
Doug Segler: Harris Corporation
Larry Shaw: BRPH
Bob Sieck: NASA (Retired)
Lee Solid: Rockwell/Boeing (Retired)
Smokey Stover: Abacus
Brad Swezey: 45th Space Wing Liaison
Roy Tharpe: Northrop Grumman
Trase Travers: MEI
Lynda Weatherman: Economic Development Commission
LaDonna Neterer: Executive Assistant