Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other state leaders are advocating for NASA to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Florida’s Space Coast. Their proposal comes as NASA considers future headquarters options amid the pending expiration of its current lease.
NASA’s Headquarters Search
In a press release issued in November 2024, NASA announced plans to seek a new headquarters location, ideally within or around Washington, D.C. The agency’s current lease at 300 Hidden Figures Way SW expires in August 2028.
NASA outlined several requirements for its new headquarters, stating:
“Needs for a new headquarters includes approximately 375,000 to 525,000 square feet of office space to house NASA’s workforce. The desired location is within walking distance to a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority station. In addition, the new location also needs parking options, as well as convenient access to food establishments.”
However, Governor DeSantis argues that NASA should reconsider building a new facility in the nation’s capital, instead suggesting that the Kennedy Space Center would be a more logical choice.
Florida’s Case for the Space Coast
Speaking at a press conference about the Indian River Lagoon earlier this year, DeSantis questioned NASA’s decision to invest in a new headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“It should not be in Washington, D.C. Spending that money is a waste to build a new headquarters there. I’m pretty sure DOGE is going to nix the headquarters. And then it’s just a question of where the administration wants to move NASA headquarters,” DeSantis said. “But I think this is as good a place as any by far. If you look at all the stuff that’s happening here, this is where most of the launches occur. This is where the history is. And it’s really good.”
DeSantis highlighted Florida’s deep-rooted space history and the Kennedy Space Center’s pivotal role in NASA’s operations, arguing that relocating headquarters to the state would align with the agency’s mission and activities.
Adding to the push, the nonprofit Florida Council of 100 sent a letter to Florida’s congressional leaders showing support for the relocation of NASA’s headquarters to the Sunshine State. The private, nonpartisan organization, founded in 1961 to advise the state’s elected officials and lawmakers, sent the letter on April 14. It included more than 125 signatures from business, academic, and civic leaders.
A paragraph from the letter reads: “Florida is the operational heart of America’s space program. From Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral to the thriving commercial space industry that now powers the next era of exploration, this is where mission meets momentum. Our state leads the nation—and the world—in launch activity, talent development, and aerospace innovation. The Space Coast is not only home to NASA’s most critical assets but also serves as the launching point for the future of American space leadership.”
Competition from Other States
Florida is not the only state vying for NASA’s headquarters. Cleveland’s city council passed a resolution last week urging the space agency to consider Ohio as its new home. This signals growing national interest in hosting NASA’s operations, with multiple states positioning themselves as viable alternatives to Washington, D.C.
While Florida leaders continue to advocate for the Space Coast as NASA’s future home, the agency’s current plans indicate that it intends to remain in the D.C. area. Whether this will change in the coming years remains to be seen.