Representative-elect Mike Haridopolos, the incoming Republican representative for the Kennedy Space Center, expects space policy to play a major role in the Trump administration—and is happy to have a role in shaping it.
Haridopolos, a former Florida state senator, defeated Democrat Sandy Kennedy in the race to fill the seat left open when Republican Rep. Bill Posey announced his retirement after representing Florida’s 8th District for eight terms.
Haridopolos spoke on Capitol Hill this week about his approach to space policy when he came to Washington, DC, in January.
Common defense
Haridopolos’ priority in space is to protect national security assets in orbit, and to ensure that the US wins any space race with adversaries such as China.
“We are in the cold war, and this is something we cannot lose,” he said. “My goal is not to dominate space, and I think we’re on the way to doing that because we’ve built a good relationship between government and commercial interests.”
Set the pace
The congressman-elect expressed concern over the pace of regulatory approval of the Federal Aviation Administration, adding that it’s not just a vacuum—”some industries are concerned about the slow pace of the FAA.”
“One of the things that should happen tomorrow, if not today, is that people who work remotely must return their butts to the office,” he said. “Time is money, and every day that is delayed, is one more day that the Chinese can defeat us.”
The commander in chief
Haridopolos said he is optimistic about space policy over the next four years, in part because of President-elect Donald Trump’s focus on the space.
“With many other issues on the table, space has been pushed aside. I think there will be a renewed focus,” he said, also highlighting Trump’s “new friendship” with SpaceX’s Elon Musk.
He listed a number of things he hopes Trump will prioritize in office, including addressing the Cape’s increasing traffic and expanding Starlink’s reach to rural communities.
Musical chairs
Committee assignments won’t be decided until next year, but Haridopolos said he wouldn’t be surprised if he was placed on a subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, given his proximity to the Kennedy Space Center.
Throwback
Having lived in Brevard County for 35-plus years, Haridopolos’ experience in space goes way back.
“My mom and dad took me down to the Ron Jon Surf Shop, in the Cocoa Beach area, and we saw the rocket launch when I think I was 12, the shuttle launch. And it was really amazing,” he said.
This story originally appeared on Payload and is republished here with permission.
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