When Houston Airports secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2015 to transform Ellington Airport (EFD) into a commercial spaceport, it was a bold leap into uncharted territory. Ten years later, that leap has propelled Houston to the forefront of global space innovation, turning hundreds of acres of undeveloped land into the launchpad for humanity’s next giant leap.

A Decade of Progress

In June 2015, Houston Airports earned the nation’s 10th FAA commercial spaceport license, setting the stage for Houston to lead in the burgeoning commercial space industry. Since then, the Houston Spaceport has welcomed prominent tenants, including Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines. Startups like Venus Aerospace further enrich this ecosystem, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

“This vision was bold from the start,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “We didn’t just want Houston to participate in space exploration—we wanted it to lead. Today, the Houston Spaceport is fulfilling that promise.”

Intuitive Machines, preparing to launch its second lunar lander this year, exemplifies the Spaceport’s mission. “We’re not just building hardware; we’re laying the foundation for humanity’s future in space,” said Steve Altemus, co-founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines. “This effort represents global collaboration and local ingenuity.”

Driving Innovation and Opportunity
The Houston Spaceport’s impact extends beyond missions to the moon. Through initiatives like the San Jacinto College EDGE Center for Aerospace Technician Training and partnerships with Texas Southern University, the Spaceport is creating a skilled workforce to power the space economy.

Over the past decade, Houston Spaceport has generated nearly 2,000 jobs and attracted billions in investments, contributing to the airport system’s $40.6 billion economic impact on the region. Its tenants and partners are leading efforts in sustainability, advanced manufacturing and the expansion of global trade routes.

“This isn’t just about rockets—it’s about building a thriving community,” said Arturo Machuca, director of Ellington Airport and the Houston Spaceport. “From creating high-paying jobs to inspiring the next generation, the Spaceport exemplifies what’s possible when a city commits to innovation.”

From Houston to the Moon

For Steve Altemus, co-founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines, the Houston Spaceport represents more than just an address. It’s the foundation for building humanity’s future in space.

“This lander behind us, Athena, or Addy as we call her, is an ice-hunting lander,” said Altemus during a tour of Intuitive Machine’s headquarters. “It’s equipped with cutting-edge tools like the Trident drill and mass spectrometers designed to search for water ice at the moon’s South Pole.”

The mission will also test Nokia’s 4G LTE communication systems, laying the groundwork for long-term lunar infrastructure. Altemus envisions this as just the beginning of a “cis-lunar economy”—an economic network orbiting and operating around the moon.

“We’re not just building hardware,” he added. “We’re building the infrastructure that will enable sustained human presence on the moon. It’s about opening doors to new possibilities—for exploration, research and industry.”

Looking Ahead
The Spaceport’s tenants hold more than $10 billion in contracts, including work with NASA. Companies like Axiom Space are developing the first commercial space station, while Venus Aerospace designs hypersonic planes capable of global travel in under an hour. With plans for facility expansions and new tenants, the Spaceport continues to cement Houston’s status as a gateway to space. The expansion happening at Hobby Airport and a multi-billion-dollar renovation of Terminal B at Bush Airport create the framework for continued growth in commercial aviation. 

“The sky isn’t the limit—it’s the starting point,” Szczesniak said. “We’re ensuring Houston has the infrastructure and vision to stay at the forefront of exploration and innovation for decades to come.”

Ten years ago, the Houston Spaceport was a plot of undeveloped grassland and a bold idea. Today, it’s the beating heart of Houston’s space industry and a launchpad for humanity’s greatest ambitions. 

“Houston has always been a city that looks to the future,” Szczesniak said. “From the first moon landing to the Artemis program, we’ve played a role in every chapter of space exploration. The Houston Spaceport ensures that we’ll keep leading the way—into the next decade and beyond.”

As Houston Spaceport enters its second decade, its focus is clear: laying the groundwork for a new era of space exploration and economic growth. “In 10 years, we’ve accomplished what once seemed impossible,” said Machuca. “Now, we’re looking ahead—to the moon, to Mars and to a future that reflects the bold spirit of Houston.”