From NASA to private aerospace companies, the State of Space in Houston in was described as ‘bold and bright’ during a conversation that included Houston Spaceport’s three anchor tenants
Representatives from Collins Aerospace, NASA's Johnson Space Center, the Houston Spaceport and Rice University smile for a photo while attending the State of Space.
Representatives from Intuitive Machines, Collins Aerospace and NASA discuss the future of aerospace and the pivotal role the Houston Spaceport is and will play during the next decades.
“Giant leaps start in Houston,” said Vanessa Wyche, Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, as she addressed a packed banquet room at the Omni Hotel in Houston. The Greater Houston Partnership hosted the first in-person conversation to discuss the future of aerospace in Space City.
The three-year old event was held virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of ‘State of Space’ is to bring together leaders from NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the three anchor tenants of the Houston Spaceport, some of the most prominent aerospace organizations, for an insightful conversation on how public and private cooperation is enabling the next frontier of space exploration.
Sixty years after President John F. Kennedy delivered his famous “Moon Speech” at Rice Stadium, NASA and its private aerospace partners are racing to return to the moon with a more inclusive and diverse group of astronauts while laying the groundwork for private citizens to travel to space, too.
It is estimated that the global space economy could generate revenue of $1 trillion or more by 2040. In Texas alone, it is estimated to reach upwards of $57.6 billion. Houston stands to grab a sizable share of that revenue.
Hundreds of attendees interested in the aerospace industry listened and learned about the dynamic and innovative work being done by NASA and Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines. All three companies will have campuses open at the Houston Spaceport by early 2024.
The audience enjoyed learning more about San Jacinto College’s Edge Center. The official education partner of the Houston Spaceport, San Jac is helping to educate and inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders.
Among the notable guests was Arturo Machuca who oversees Ellington Airport and the Houston Spaceport.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HOUSTON SPACEPORT
MISSION | Create a focal point for aerospace innovation with a cluster of aerospace companies that will lead the nation in the transition from a government-driven to a commercially-driven space program.
Less than 20 miles from downtown Houston, the Houston Spaceport sits on 422 acres at Ellington Airport and is owned and operated by Houston Airports.
In June 2015, it became the 10th FAA-licensed spaceport in the U.S. and it is the world’s first truly urban commercial spaceport.
Owned and managed by Houston Airports, reusable, suborbital vehicles will be able to launch and land at the site.
JOBS AT SPACEPORT | Houston Spaceport and its 3 anchor tenants will add more than 1,800 jobs over the next few years. These are high-paying jobs that will spark a surge in our local economy and lead to the creation of more jobs.
EDUCATION AT SPACEPORT | San Jacinto College is the official education partner of the Houston Spaceport. Through its Edge Center, San Jacinto College offers aerospace training and career pathways for students. Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake are developing the Houston Aerospace Institute.
AVIATION AND AEROSPACE | Houston is home to more than 500 aviation and aerospace companies and more than 23,000 professionals. The spaceport allows Houston to continue attracting the best mathematicians, mechanics, scientists and engineers.