The significance of a planned $20 million Space Test Center in Tulsa cannot be overstated, officials said Friday at the project’s groundbreaking.

Colorado-based Agile Space Industries is establishing the multi-phase, hot-fire rocket engine test facility designed to address a critical shortage of altitude-capable propulsion testing infrastructure for the global space industry.

That sector exceeds $600 billion and is expected to surpass more than $1 trillion by 2040.

“This is a moment in time where I think we absolutely 10 years from now will be looking at not just this facility, but we hope future expansions, as well,” Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said at the groundbreaking for the project, which will be located on acreage adjacent to Tulsa International Airport. “Yes, we are a global player when it comes to space, the space race, all the innovation that’s out there, the space economy.

“…We’re not talking about multiple billions. We’re talking about trillions and trillions of dollars. And Tulsa, America is going to be the centerpiece of that.”

Built on more than 12 years of propulsion testing heritage at Agile Space Industries, the Space Test Center will provide high-throughput testing services for small to medium-class rocket engines supporting commercial, civil and national security space missions.

“The Space Test Center is the first $20 million step in a $200 million propulsion testing ecosystem,” said Nick Aadland, technical manager at the Space Test Center. “This facility is intentionally scalable, built to seed a new space industry hub in Oklahoma and close a critical national gap in modern in-space propulsion test capacity.”

Working with partners such as the City of Tulsa and The Artemis Group, the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s economic development team spent about 18 months helping recruit Agile to Tulsa.

“This facility will be a catalyst for economic growth,” said Justin McLaughlin, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Chamber. “

It will create high-quality jobs, attract talent and help establish Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma as a hub for space-related research, testing and satellite manufacturing.

“Just as importantly, it will help build a broader ecosystem, one that includes suppliers, engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs, all of whom will contribute to the emerging space sector here in Oklahoma.”

The Artemis Group is led by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who served as the U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District from January 2013 to April 2018. 

Bridenstine spoke Friday of the importance of maintaining American pre-eminence in space.

“What we’re doing here today is not just about Tulsa; it’s not just about Oklahoma,” he said. “It’s about the United States of America and making sure we are the strongest, safest country on the planet.”

Agile’s facility is expected to be completed in 2027.