SR318 - Recognizing March 25, 2025, as Space Day.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 318          WHEREAS, The State of Texas has played a central role in   the history and advancement of space exploration, and its   continuing leadership in the space industry remains a proud and   defining element of the state's identity; and          WHEREAS, Texas is home to more than 2,000 aerospace,   aviation, and defense businesses, including commercial   spaceports operating in Houston, Midland, McGregor, Van Horn,   and Boca Chica; long a cornerstone of America's space program,   NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston serves as the   hub for astronaut training and oversees mission control for the   International Space Station, which in 2025 is celebrating 25   years of continuous human presence in space; among the Lone Star   State's other major aerospace landmarks is the Midland   International Air & Space Port, the first airport in the U.S.   with both passenger air service and a commercial spaceport   license; and          WHEREAS, The robust space industry in Texas generates   $11 billion per year in gross product; the state's aerospace,   defense, and aviation sectors together employ 145,000 Texans,   and 18 of the world's 20 leading aerospace companies have   operations in Texas; NASA alone invests more than $2.5 billion in   the state annually, while providing over 10,000 contract and   civil service jobs; the agency also engages some 2,000 students   and educators through its Texas High School Aerospace Scholars   program and other statewide STEM initiatives, and it facilitates   research and development through partnerships with Texas   universities; the state's space-related economy is further   bolstered by Space Center Houston and the Bay Area Houston   Economic Partnership's Space Alliance Technology Outreach   Program, which each generate more than $200 million in economic   impact; and          WHEREAS, Demonstrating its commitment to the continued   strength of the space industry, the State of Texas launched the   Texas Space Commission with the goal of driving commercial   aerospace growth and fostering innovation in the areas of space   exploration, research, and development; alongside this endeavor,   the state established the Texas Aerospace Research and Space   Economy Consortium and the Space Exploration and Aeronautics   Research Fund to support research efforts and award grants to   businesses, government entities, and nonprofits involved in   space exploration and science; funding provided by the State   Legislature has also helped advance The Texas A&M University   System's endeavors in space research and technology development,   and construction is currently underway on the Texas A&M   University Space Institute in the Johnson Space Center's new   Exploration Park; and          WHEREAS, The commercialization of various NASA space   technologies has fueled significant innovation in Texas; the   agency continues to be at the forefront of advancements in   aeronautics, space science, and exploration through initiatives   such as the Artemis campaign, the Gateway space station, the   Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, and   the Human Landing System program, which is enabling SpaceX and Blue   Origin's commercial lunar landing services; additionally, NASA's   Commercial Lunar Payload Services contracts are empowering   companies such as Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines to   deliver payloads to the lunar surface in March 2025; and          WHEREAS, Through ongoing investments in the state's space   economy, Texas is charting new frontiers in an industry that   holds limitless potential for the future of humanity, and the   observance of Space Day serves to promote awareness of its   importance to the continued vitality of the Lone Star State; now,   therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby recognize March 25, 2025, as Space Day at the   State Capitol and pay tribute to the immeasurable contributions   made by the Texas space economy to our state and nation.     Middleton     Alvarado Hagenbuch Menéndez   Bettencourt Hall Miles   Birdwell Hancock Nichols   Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Parker   Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Paxton   Cook Huffman Perry   Creighton Hughes Schwertner   Eckhardt Johnson Sparks   Flores King West   Gutierrez Kolkhorst Zaffirini     Patrick, President of the Senate             ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on March 25, 2025.             ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate             ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate