Participants and guests get ready to dig signifying the start of construction on a new roadway through KSC.

At a groundbreaking ceremony, participants and guests get ready to dig in, signifying the start of construction on a new roadway through KSC. It is the start of a construction project that includes the Space Experiment Research & Processing Laboratory (SERPL). From left are Dr. Pamella J. Dana, from the executive office of Florida’s governor, Jeb Bush; Deputy Associate Administrator Michael Hawes, Space Station, NASA; Sen. George Kirkpatrick; Spaceport Florida Authority Executive Director Ed Gormel; Executive Director Dr. Samuel T. Durrance, Florida Space Research Institute; Florida’s Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan; Congressman Dave Weldon; Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.; SFA SERPL Program Manager Debra Holliday; KSC SERPL Program Manager Jan Heuser; District Manager Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Florida Department of Transportation; State Senator Jim Sebesta; and KSC Director JoAnn H. Morgan, External Relations and Business Development. The project is enabled by a partnership and collaboration between NASA and the State of Florida to create a vital resource for international and commercial space customers. SERPL is considered a magnet facility, and will support the development and processing of life sciences experiments destined for the International Space Station and accommodate NASA, industry and academic researchers performing associated biological research