U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) will join her colleague U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), wife of shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, to watch the space shuttle Discovery launch this Saturday in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery, including Commander Kelly, will deliver and install Japan's massive lab, Kibo, or Hope, to the International Space Station.

“The space program is a vital part of Florida’s economy,” said Castor. “I am deeply committed to advancing our state’s long-standing tradition and position in space and aerospace. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace to thrive.” Castor recently urged Orbital Sciences Corporation to locate their new facilities at Cape Canaveral in a bipartisan letter of Florida’s Congressional Delegation.

“I am excited to share the day with Congresswoman Giffords, who is a leader in our large class of new members in the New Direction Congress and a good friend.” Castor and Giffords were both elected to Congress in 2006 and serve together on the House Armed Services Committee. Giffords represents the Tucson, Arizona area and was elected to Congress after serving in the Arizona State Legislature from 2000-2005. She was the youngest woman ever to be elected to the Arizona State Senate.

Some quick facts about the space program and its impact on Florida’s economy:

- The monetary injections into the Florida economy by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and other NASA Centers to support space and research program operations at KSC were $1.68 billion in 2006. KSC and other NASA Centers managed 1,731 contracts in Florida in 2006. Total KSC/NASA direct spending was $20 million in Central Florida counties and $55 million in other Florida counties.

- Commodity purchases by KSC and other NASA Centers in Florida totaled $1,523 million in 2006. KSC employed 13,630 on-site workers in 2006. Ninety-eight percent of the onsite work force lived in Central Florida counties.

- Spendable earnings of workers at KSC were $984 million in 2006. The average annual salary for KSC on-site workers was $72,000 in 2006.