Griffin on Space leadership

NASA chief Griffin spoke at Florida's Space day (HT NASA Watch here.)

Space, he said, is the "new enterprise" of the 21st century and will determine the world powers of the future.

Griffin said the space industry provides 35,000 jobs in Florida and 1.4 million tourists visit the Kennedy Space Center annually. Space-related activities are in all of Florida's 67 counties and contribute more than $4.5 billion to the state's economy, according to Gov. Jeb Bush's office.

Bush has asked lawmakers this year to approve funding of $100 million to attract world-class researchers and $55 million to bolster the space industry.

Griffin was joined by Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy at Florida Space Day in the Capitol.