THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Arizona Space Summit I April 28-30, 2026

 
 

Positioning Arizona as a premier space hub

The Arizona Space Summit convenes top leaders and decision-makers from across the state and beyond to advance the state’s space economy. As the 5th largest employer in aerospace and defense manufacturing, with over 1,250 supply chain contributors, Arizona is a rising force in the global space economy. From launch services and in-space testing to space situational awareness and off-Earth mining, our diverse ecosystem offers unmatched economic opportunity—and a powerful platform for talent development and student engagement.

Comparison chart showing top nations by taxation, with the first nation ranked highest in entrepreneurial activity and lowest in corporate income tax at 4.9%, and the second ranked highest in unemployment insurance tax.
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Accelerate business growth with strategic incentives

Student interns such as Andrew Thoesen are joining agency scientists, contributing in the arena of Exploration Research and Technology. Thoesen is studying mechanical engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. NASA

Did you know?

  • Industry leaders with operations in the state including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, Virgin Galactic, World View Enterprises and General Dynamics Mission Systems.

  • The University of Arizona ranks fifth for NASA-funded activity and has long been at the forefront of space exploration dating to the founding of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the first Ranger missions to the moon in the 1960s.

  • Arizona ranks top 2 in the nation for aviation maintenance economic activity, received $11.4 billion Department of Defense Contracts in FY 2021 and is home to a $3 billion optics industry.

  • At Arizona State University, scientists and researchers have been leading contributors for Mars missions since the NASA Viking missions in the 1970s. The university boasts 40 instrument facilities and laboratories and is participating in more than 25 active space missions.

  • Arizona is home to one of Starliner’s landing locations.

A Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer or LBTI, is a ground-based instrument connecting two 8-meter class telescopes on Mount Graham in Arizona to form the largest single-mount telescope in the world. Photo credit: NASA.gov

Arizona space sector strengths

  • Space Domain Awareness

    Space Debris

    Remote Sensing and Sensor Development

    Data analytics and processing

    Satellite communications

  • Satellite Component Manufacturing

    Space Vehicle Manufacturing

    Subsystems and subcomponent manufacturing

    In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing

  • Planetary Science and Geological Sciences

    Deep Space Exploration

    Microgravity Research

    Astronomy

  • Space Medicine/Health/Performance

    Space and the Humanities

    Space Business, Leadership, and Economy

    Space Tourism

    Augmented and Virtual Reality

Contact us

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

FOR ADVANCING ARIZONA’S GROWING SPACE INDUSTRY

Logo for Tempe Economic Development with a spiral design at the top and the words 'Tempe' and 'Economic Development' below.
Logos of various Arizona-based universities and organizations, including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Arizona Technology Council, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, displayed on a black background.