We need to attract future space companies to be located here so they can take advantage of a growing and diverse talent pool and getting the full support from the region ’ s business , governmental , and academic communities .”
There is also support for space startups and entrepreneurs . Space Entrepreneurs , now part of Space Northwest , is dedicated to promoting , fostering , and enabling innovation at the crossroads of space and business . With events like Startup Weekend Space and the Space Entrepreneurs event series , they aim to provide people with pathways to build and grow their businesses , networks , and careers around space .
Founded in February of 2014 by Sean McClinton , their first event was just three people in a virtual setting . It grew rapidly with 100 in-person attendees at the next event , indicating there was strong demand for space entrepreneurship in the Greater Seattle area . Space Entrepreneurs now has over 1,000 members .
UW PhD student Sarah Li makes some adjustments on a drone . Her research advances integrating autonomy into large-scale aerospace settings such as satellite constellations .
With the recent Harvard Business Review article “ Every Company Needs a Space Strategy . Now .” — now is the time to think about space companies and space startups outside of the traditional space industry .
Traditional “ non-space ” companies can now utilize and access space in ways that were previously unavailable thanks to falling launch costs , commercial off-the-shelf technology , and greater consumer availability . The opportunity for space entrepreneurs is greater than it has ever been . Sean added , “ Our region has all of the tools to support and facilitate this shift with strong aviation , IT / software / cloud , e-commerce , and space sectors , plus an entrepreneurial support backbone .”
Washington companies see much of the spotlight , but it ’ s not just industry leading the charge . The state ’ s success is driven by our youngest citizens who are not just gazing into space , but hoping to travel there as well . They are advocating for a better , healthier world , with significant change starting in our classrooms and labs .
Washington State is home to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , one of ten national laboratories in the U . S ., and a leading center for scientific discovery in chemistry , data analytics , Earth science and technological innovation in sustainable energy and national security . In addition to six public universities , which include the University of Washington and Washington State University , the state has 27 private colleges and universities , 34 community and technical colleges ( 13 of which offer four-year degrees ) and workforce training programs tailored to high-growth industry sectors .
UW research scientist Aaron Hossack activates the laser system of the HIT-SIU plasma physics experiment , demonstrating the laser system which directs infrared and visible beams through the chamber so our researchers can measure the density of the plasma inside .
These institutions develop the talent and courage needed to drive innovation into the far reaches of space .
University of Washington ( UW ) is a major driver of the state ’ s hub of space research , industry , and education . The UW contributes to and benefits from a unique intersection of aerospace , manufacturing , clean energy , data science and information technology . They have extensive experience attracting state and federal grants for space and have a demonstrated track record in technology transfer from basic research to startups .
The space sector is changing rapidly with exponential growth of commercial-led activities focused on off-planet science and eventual human habitation , in a complex field of international players and rivals . We are also seeing the rapid evolution of traditional activities with the on-orbit servicing of satellites and systems as well as manufacturing and assembly in space .
40 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS