Alternative Text Description for BTS Spaceports

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of public and private spaceport facilities in central and northeastern Florida. The BTS Spaceports layer shows federally-recognized facilities that support the launching and receiving of spacecraft. The map focuses on a region extending from the Orlando area eastward to the Atlantic coast, including major coastal cities such as Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Port Orange, and Titusville.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers central and northeastern Florida, centered on the Orlando metropolitan area and extending eastward to the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Major cities labeled on the map include Orlando in the interior, and coastal communities including Palm Coast in the north, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Deltona (located inland), and Titusville in the southern portion of the mapped area. Smaller communities such as Eustis and Leesburg appear in the western and southwestern portions of the map. The map shows portions of the Atlantic coastal region where Florida's space transportation infrastructure is concentrated.

KEY INSIGHTS

Spaceport facilities are concentrated along Florida's central Atlantic coast, forming a distinct coastal cluster. The majority of spaceports appear in the southeastern quadrant of the mapped area, near Titusville and along the coastline south of Daytona Beach. This spatial pattern reflects the historic concentration of space launch infrastructure along Florida's Space Coast. No spaceport facilities are shown in the interior portions of the state around Orlando or in the northern and western portions of the mapped area.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

BTS Spaceports

This layer represents federally-recognized public and private spaceport facilities that support spacecraft launch and reentry operations in Florida.

Spaceport Facilities (blue circular symbols with white rocket icons)

Appearance:

Each spaceport is represented by a blue circular marker with a white rocket or spacecraft icon in the center.

Distribution:

Spaceport facilities are distributed exclusively along the Atlantic coastal region, with the highest concentration appearing in the southeastern portion of the mapped area near Titusville.

Notable locations:

A cluster of at least five spaceport facilities appears in the coastal area south and southeast of Titusville. One facility appears in the extreme northern portion of the map near the top edge.

Spatial patterns:

The spaceports exhibit a linear coastal pattern, aligned with Florida's Atlantic shoreline. This clustering along the coast reflects operational requirements and historical development of space launch infrastructure in this region.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map serves as a reference layer showing the locations of U.S. spaceport facilities regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Spaceports. The facilities shown support the commercial space transportation industry and are critical infrastructure for spacecraft launch and reentry operations. The concentration of facilities in this region reflects Florida's historical role and continued importance in U.S. space operations. The map does not distinguish between public and private facilities or indicate operational status or launch capacity of individual spaceports.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data was compiled by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) from information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Spaceports. The FAA Office of Spaceports is responsible for site licensing activities, policy development, and promotion of U.S. spaceports as part of the National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). Source layer: BTS_SPACEPORTS_AUG23.

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was applied to this layer.

Scale Information:

The map displays regional-scale information appropriate for viewing spaceport locations across multiple counties in central and northeastern Florida. Individual facility boundaries and detailed infrastructure are not visible at this scale.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

Data compiled August 8, 2023.

Limitations:

The map shows point locations of spaceport facilities but does not indicate facility size, operational capacity, launch frequency, or specific services offered. The data represents a snapshot as of August 2023 and may not reflect subsequent licensing actions or facility developments.

Map Coverage:

The map covers portions of central and northeastern Florida, extending from approximately Leesburg and Eustis in the west to the Atlantic Ocean coastline in the east, and from Palm Coast in the north to Titusville and the southern extent of the Space Coast region.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.