Northwest Aerospace News Issue No. 25 February | March 2022 | Page 115

Other innovators are leading the way in air mobility systems that autonomously transport shipments in urban centers . Eventually , these platforms will ferry passengers and cargo between destinations , guided along defined routes via state-of-the-art air traffic control networks .
To provide additional growth for aerospace companies , Washington ’ s Department of Commerce offers its Export Voucher program . Made possible through a grant from the Small Business Administration , these State Trade Expansion Program ( STEP ) vouchers can offset up to $ 10,000 in costs to enter new overseas markets , ship product samples , translate sales materials , participate in trade shows and more .
A BOLD VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION
While commercial space captures the imagination of state leaders across the U . S . who are anxious to grab a slice of this multi-billion dollar pie , Washington has been a major player in space exploration since the early 1970s .
Aerojet-Rocketdyne has built rockets and thrusters for every uncrewed space mission to date , including the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars missions . None of its 20,000 + propulsion units has ever failed in flight , even after months or years of dormancy .
Nearly a hundred Washington companies are involved in the commercial race to space . These include Spaceflight , which provides logistics and launch support ; Blue Origin , which is developing the next generation of orbiting space stations ; and SpaceX , which is building thousands of Starlink satellites in Redmond , not far from Aerojet ’ s facility .
A WORKFORCE SECOND TO NONE
At the heart of the state ’ s aerospace industry is a unique public-private partnership that closely ties education , training , internships and apprenticeships with the needs of the industry . Companies and educators work together to ensure a steady supply of highly skilled workers who can step right into the jobs of the future . The Center for Excellence for Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing and the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation are prime examples of these innovative partnerships in action .
Without the tens of thousands of workers who built these amazing vehicles from the ground up , none of this would be possible . Their pride shows in their eyes , their work and their lasting accomplishments . Nearly 32,000 aircraft have poured from the factories they have worked in over the last 100 years , including every commercial airliner that starts and ends with a ‘ 7 ’, including the new 777X .
This tradition of excellence and dedication continues as the aerospace industry looks to a new era in travel , one tempered by a global pandemic but optimistic about what the future holds . Washington ’ s aerospace industry proudly stands on the shoulders of the giants . A rich history of innovation , quality and excellence permeates every inch of our factory floors . And it drives us to not only explore the future , but define it – boldly and passionately .
WANT TO KNOW MORE ?
For more information about Washington ’ s aerospace industry , visit ChooseWashingtonState . com .

SAVE THE DATE PNAA ADVANCE / 2023 PNAA ’ s 22nd Annual Conference

February 6 - 9 , 2023

PNAA ADVANCE / 2022
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2022 ISSUE NO . 25 115