2024 Year in Review: The top stories in space and broadband
2024 was a year of continued progress for the telecommunications industry in Texas, and the state finally received federal approval for its broadband plan. But it was also an exceptionally exciting year for emerging industries such as space, which saw the launch of the Texas Space Commission.
Here are six articles that recap the year:
1. Texas Space Commission (TSC) takes off
Payload: Texas Unveils its Space Commission, Names Board (March)
In March, the Texas Space Commission named its board of directors as well as the nine-member executive committee that will guide the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC). The list of appointees included heavy hitters such as Kathy Leuders, GM of Space X’s Starbase and NASA astronaut Nancy Currie-Gregg. The announcement represented an exciting step forward for space in Texas, which is home to a rapidly growing space economy.
2. Texas Space Commission executive director begins new role
In June, the Texas Space Commission named its new executive director, Norman J. Garza. Garza previously served as assistant vice chancellor for government relations at Texas A&M’s Engineering Experiment Station. This interview with Garza dives into his vision for the Texas space industry moving forward, his plans for the $350 million budget allocated to the Space Commission, and provides insight into his family ties to the Brownsville area, which is home to Space X’s Starbase.
3. Texas Space Commission (TSC) requests grant applicants for its research fund
Government Technology: Texas Space Commission Offers $150M in Its First-Ever Grants (September)
In September, the Texas Space Commission launched its grant application portal, inviting applicants for grants from the newly created $150 million Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. Applicants with proposals to grow or contribute to Texas’ space industry sectors were invited to apply, including government entities, higher education institutions, businesses and nonprofits.
4. Texas receives federal approval for broadband plan
The Texas Tribune: Feds approve Texas’ plan for $3 billion to expand broadband access (November)
In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed HB 9, legislation creating the Broadband Infrastructure Fund (BIF) to expand broadband internet access in the state. The state anticipated combining $1.5 billion in federal and state investment with a $3.3 billion federal investment from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. In November, the federal government finally approved the state’s plan to bring broadband to rural and underserved communities across the state.
5. Texas A&M breaks ground on new space institute at Exploration Park
NASA: Texas A&M Breaks Ground at NASA Johnson for Giant Leap in Space Innovation (November)
In the 2023 legislative session in Texas, legislators passed a bill creating the new Texas Space Commission and allocated $350 million to support its activities, including $200 million for the development of Exploration Park, space-related research facilities adjacent to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. In November, Texas officials along with Venessa Wyche, director of the Johnson Space Center, broke ground on the development of the Texas A&M Space Institute, the first “tenant” of the 240-acre research park. Exploration Park will eventually serve as a hub for space-related research, invention and talent pipeline development for the growing Texas space industry.
6. Hiccups in the Texas plan for broadband
The Texas Tribune: Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while. (December)
Nearly a year after submitting its state plan for broadband expansion to the federal government, Texas received federal approval for its plan to close the digital divide in Texas and finally connect the seven million Texans who do not have access to the internet. In spite of receiving federal approval, however, Texas communities still anticipate a delayed rollout of the over $3 billion promised to the state as part of the BEAD program. Various delays, from accusations of inaccurate maps to federal regulations limiting who can apply for grants dollars, have created concerns in some corners of the state that the communities who most need internet service may be overlooked. This article delves into the concerns and fears of some Texas communities.