DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHIC The Value of a Spaceport to the Local Economy A spaceport is more than a launch site. It is a hub of innovation, commerce, and exploration that
Florida is turning classrooms into gateways for the space economy.
During a recent GSA Academic Advisory Group session, Space Florida’s Michael Miller and workforce partner Karin Hoffman described how the Space Florida Academy Program is aligning existing career and technical education with real industry needs. By rebranding familiar skills as space pathways and building clear routes from school to high-wage aerospace jobs, the state is creating a talent model that strengthens local economies and offers a practical template for other launch regions.
The Dawn Aerospace team on their first visit to Oklahoma standing at the south end of the massive 13, 503’ runway (17L/35R) at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport (CSM) in Burns Flat. (L-R): Craig Smith, Oklahoma Director of Space Industry Development; Aleisha Draper, Dawn Aerospace Account Manager / Spaceplane; Chris Wadsworth, ODAA CoS; Nick Young, ODAA, Airports Division Manager; Will Austin, Dawn Aerospace Flight Operations Team Lead; Grayson Ardies, ODAA Executive Director; Ralph Huijsman, Dawn Aerospace, Spaceplane Programs Manager.
In Yuma, Arizona, a new kind of partnership is taking shape where a university, a design firm, and a community are working side by side to build the future of space infrastructure. The Yuma Spaceport initiative brings together Arizona State University, HDR, and local leaders to design a sustainable, community-driven model for spaceport development. Through ASU’s ∆V Studio, students and professionals are transforming ideas into action, creating a launchpad for innovation that reaches from the classroom to the stars.
Building a spaceport takes more than steel and launch pads—it takes strategy. BRPH’s Steve Lloyd and Derek Nolek reveal why the future of spaceports depends on business models as much as engineering in The Business of Launch.
Discover how emerging technologies like digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced cybersecurity are transforming spaceports into intelligent, efficient, and sustainable hubs. From optimizing multimodal transportation and launch scheduling to enhancing safety, sustainability, and community engagement, these innovations enable spaceports to operate seamlessly while preparing for future growth in the global space economy. Learn how integrating AI, digital twins, and robust cyber defenses is driving smarter, scalable, and secure spaceport operations for the next generation of space exploration.
Crew 006 (04/25/2025 – 04/27/2025) working together to implement their leadership training to solve a simulated robotics malfunction at the Midland CEED Building What is an Analog Mission? Analog/simulated space