At the Maryland Space Business Roundtable (MSBR) luncheon on March 19, 2025, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) provided valuable insights into the current state of funding for NASA, NOAA, and the Space Force from the House perspective. He emphasized the critical role of fostering and maintaining public-private partnerships, especially in these challenging times, to drive innovation and progress in the aerospace sector.
Rep. Ivey highlighted Maryland’s unique position as a hub for innovation, given the presence of key federal agencies like NASA and NOAA, military institutions such as the Navy, and esteemed academic entities including the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory. This regional synergy creates unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
Addressing the future workforce, Rep. Ivey underscored the importance of cultivating a robust pipeline of STEM students. He advocated for industry partnerships at both college and high school levels to engage students early, sparking interest and involvement in STEM fields. Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of maintaining a strong federal workforce at NASA and NOAA, and how industry can play a supportive role in this endeavor.
Also being held at Martin’s Crosswinds was the American Astronautical Society (AAS) Goddard Space Science Symposium. MSBR invited AAS symposium attendees to join our luncheon, network with our members and guests, and hear Rep. Ivey’s presentation. We were happy to collaborate with our AAS peers!
The event served as a powerful reminder of the collective efforts required to sustain and enhance our nation’s leadership in space and technology.