Quarterly Sentinel Summer 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

We started 2024 with several launches and across the globe the pace has not let up. We look at the many nations who are now space capable. As of the end of 2023 there were 77 countries with space programs and 16 of those have launch capabilities. For all of us who are following the growth and evolving projects that are or will go to space it is fascinating and energizing. The stars no longer represent a boundary for the edge of space. The images we keep seeing of other galaxies and stars being born tell us that our universe is not singular but one of many. When we hear about the pharma and food and chip companies who want to send experiments or payloads or manufacturing to zero or micro gravity, we know that there are more than a few visions of what space represents to multiple business sectors.

It still comes as a surprise to many people I talk to that Colorado is a key player in the aerospace industry. While launches occur elsewhere, the components and propulsion systems are often engineered here, and we have significant space manufacturing across the state. A recent list of the largest manufacturing employers in the Denver area had 5 aerospace companies in the top ten. (Denver Business Journal May 24, 2024) What that means for Colorado is we are a space hardware manufacturing center for the space industry. Colorado is also home to those companies who support space mission with advanced flight software that is instrumental in getting payloads and people to space.

All of the companies who comprise our aerospace economy would say their most valuable assets are the talented and dedicated people who make it happen. There is a technical workforce of epic proportions from the propulsion engineers and the systems engineers who design the systems to the precision machinists who get the parts made to spec to the technician who puts the final connections together on the satellite bus. We often think of these jobs but there are so many others who write the contracts, who make sure that parts are all transported and accounted for, who develop the timelines and secure the launch dates and write the press releases. There are many unseen but critical jobs in this industry and all of them require talent and commitment to the end goal. That often includes collaboration with multiple companies, universities and suppliers who all play a role in getting and maintaining our valuable assets in space and those connections here on earth.

We celebrate the passion we see in young people who are seeing the stars and see themselves as part of the team who will get us to the moon and beyond. There is not one path; there are many paths, and we welcome all the thinkers and doers who bring their ideas, their culture, their backgrounds to our industry that will change our world.

Several economists have predicted that the space economy will reach $1 trillion by 2040.

What that means for our state is a future growth in both companies and jobs with existing and yet to be created companies. That type of growth is exciting and demanding. We need to be ready. In Colorado we have collective plans that include our institutions of higher ed and ready technician training to build the hardware and software to support evolving ideas and technology.

Would you or your company like to be featured in our Member Spotlights? Click the header above to send us an email!

Thunder Continues to Rumble throughout our Great State

Congratulations to Rita Peterson, CEO of Caribou Thunder & CSBR Board Member, for her extensive feature in the latest edition of NORTH. Rita established Caribou Thunder, a defense engineering firm in 2006 on the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation. In nearly twenty years, the firm has achieved remarkable growth, showcasing how a startup can emerge as a key player in the aerospace industry. If you want to see Rita in action she will  a panel speaker at the upcoming ASA Confernce in Louisanna.  

The State for Aerospace

The state of Colorado provides an ideal environment for the thriving aerospace industry. With numerous opportunities for collaboration and favorable policies, its cities have become a hub for aerospace activities. The collaborative ecosystem in Colorado is unique. This support has led to an impressive 88% growth in the aerospace sector in the Denver and Boulder metro areas over the past two decades, outstripping other emerging industries, as per a recent CNBC analysis. The Colorado Space Coalition states that the region is now home to 191 aerospace businesses, providing employment to 29,000 individuals.

Colorado's promising market pool attracts many companies to the area. Dylan Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive of Voyager Space, recently highlighted the significance of talent, government support, and access to capital, particularly in the Boulder corridor, in an interview on CNBC’s “Manifest Space” podcast. With this growth and stabilizing factors, the impact of the aerospace industry on Colorado's economy will continue to be substantial. This sentiment is echoed by U.S. Senator and Former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, D-Colo, who has historically emphasized that aerospace has become a crucial pivot point for the entire state economy. Robert Beletic, aerospace and defense industry manager at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), revealed that the industry boasts an annual output of $13 billion.

This favorable environment sets the stage for the state's ongoing success. It's an exciting time for Colorado and the aerospace industry, and there are many promising developments on the horizon within our wonderful community.

(2024, April 11). Denver-Boulder area stakes a claim in space with a burgeoning aerospace industry. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/11/denver-boulder-area-benefits-from-burgeoning-aerospace-industry.html

(2024, April 4).Coloradobiz. 4 Ways Colorado Continues to Lead America’s Aerospace Industry

The fate of Mars Sample Return is in industry’s hands


NASA officially revealed in April that its original plan for returning samples from Mars isn’t going to work out. The $11B projected cost is too steep for Congress in an era of budget cuts, and the 2040 targeted return is too late. (According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, the US wants to be focused on sending astronauts to Mars by then.)

Still, returning samples from Mars remains a key scientific priority for NASA, so the agency is turning to the commercial sector to figure out a cheaper and faster way to make it happen. The agency plans to issue a request for information (RFI) to industry today, soliciting reconfigured mission architectures that could fit within the agency’s new constraints.

“I’m expecting to get everybody in high gear, and we have the answers to this by next fall,” Nelson said.

A tumultuous path: The Perseverance rover has been doing its job for the last three years, collecting samples on the Red Planet for future retrieval. Over the last several years, Congress has provided $1.74B to MSR as NASA has worked out a plan to get those tubes of Martian rock back to Earth.

Last year, NASA opted to pause its preexisting mission architecture due to concerns raised by an independent review board and tepid budgetary support from Congress.

39th Annual Space Foundation Space Symposium

Many CSBR Members participated in the 39th Annual Space Symposium, held from April 8-11, 2024, at The Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The event drew thousands of attendees from over 40 countries. With the theme "Accelerating Momentum and Unity," this premier space industry event welcomed participants from all sectors of the space community, including prime contractors, government entities, representatives, suppliers, contractors, students, and more.

The symposium featured an exhibit hall with over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest space-centric and supportive innovations. A special highlight of this year's event was its overlap with a rare space phenomenon. On April 8, during the solar eclipse, attendees donned protective glasses and rushed outside to witness the moon aligning with the sun.

Space Symposium Stem Fields & Role of Construction in The Space Economy

By Josh Foerschler, Burns & McDonnell

The 39th Annual Space Symposium was a great event for the industry leaders of today and tomorrow. On Thursday, students from local and regional high schools were invited to learn about STEM careers in the space sector. Josh Foerschler, a Burns & McDonnell representative and CSBR Board Member, spoke with five groups of high school students about the importance of STEM fields and the role of construction in the space economy, which enables companies to test and manufacture their systems. It was an incredible opportunity to share our career paths with future leaders! Providing students with a glimpse of the various job pathways in the space sector is a fantastic initiative. Thank you, Space Symposium, for giving us this chance!

CSBR: J.E.D.I. Initiative Wins 2024 Diversity Award

Congratulations! On Thursday, June 20th the Colorado Space Business Roundtable: J.E.D.I. Initiative accepted the Denver Business Journal's 2024 Leaders in Diversity award in the Organization category.

This prestigious award program is designed to celebrate outstanding organizations and individuals in metro Denver who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to promoting equality across all areas of diversity, including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and religion.

A big thank you to all our members who participated in the recent Roundup Committee Kickoff Meeting! We greatly appreciate your active involvement in our organization and valuable contributions to planning our upcoming Colorado Space Roundup this year! Stay active year round by filling out the Volunteer Form below!

Sponsoring our premier event, the Colorado Space Roundup, is an excellent way to showcase your company. This event facilitates connections among Colorado's various industries, academic institutions, and defense endeavors within the expanding aerospace sector. Information on sponsorship opportunities for 2024 will be coming soon!

Aerospace Exchange

CSBR's mission is to "Connect and Advance Colorado Aerospace". To fulfill this mission, we invite CSBR members to consider hosting an Aerospace Exchange event. This is an excellent opportunity for you to connect, collaborate, and network with fellow CSBR members while sharing your latest project to the aerospace community.

This event can be help virtually or at a location of your choosing. Attendance will be limited to CSBR Members and your employees/team. CSBR will handle event registration, as well as promotion for the event. Please email us at info@coloradosbr.org if interested, and you will be contacted for more information.

Join us for our CSBR Community Connector Kickoff (Virtual) Event on July 10th! As our community continues to grow, we take great pride in ensuring it is connected and engaged! Our organization is united by a common desire to advance the growth of Colorado Aerospace. Together, we embody the voice of Colorado aerospace, from startups to government and academic stakeholders. We strive to be a collective voice for the aerospace industry. The CSBR Member Only Quarterly Community Connector discussions are another way to keep our members connected throughout the year! 

Sign Up to Attend!

A special thanks to the 233d Space Group for welcoming CSBR Members and Guests to their Community Open House During Visit to GREELEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION (GANGS), CO 30 April 2024.

Externship Highlight

About the Program

This program represents a unique, collaborative partnership between CSBR, Arapahoe/Douglas Works (which provided funding for the teachers through an aerospace sector partnership grant), and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's new Teacher Externship Program. In addition to supporting the student interns through the summer experience, teacher externs will gain first-hand exposure and insights into aerospace careers in Colorado, while also building valuable relationships with community leaders and elected officials who are aerospace champions. By participating in the program as externs, teachers will develop a deeper understanding of aerospace industry practices, which will empower them to incorporate practical knowledge into their curriculum and better prepare their own students for careers in the aerospace industry. Businesses will benefit, too: by collaborating with teachers, they can contribute to the development of a skilled workforce aligned with their industry requirements, ultimately enhancing the talent pipeline for high-growth, high-demand jobs in aerospace.


Meet Our 2024 Teachers

Patrick Nate 

Patrick Nate is the robotics and instrumental music instructor at Colorado Early Colleges in Castle Rock, CO. In addition to this role, he oversees the certification and CTE pathway program at the school. Patrick focuses on project-based education in all his classes and strives to prepare his students for a life of learning. Outside of the classroom, Patrick enjoys cooking, gardening, and camping with his long-time girlfriend Sarah and their dog, Akita.

Katherine Schifter 

I am a 6th grade science teacher at Milliken Middle School. This was my 20th year teaching in the WeldRE5J School District. I earned my undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in Earth Science in 2004 from the University of Northern Colorado. I have a Master's in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and an additional 60+ graduate credits, mostly in the sciences. I am a proud mom of 6 children who keep me very busy outside of school.

I am thrilled to have been offered this externship opportunity in Aerospace. I am excited to learn and collaborate with experts in the field, and share my learnings with my students and the (student founded) Milliken Middle School Space Club.

Deborah Tawzer 

I teach grades 9-12 engineering classes and CAD for Additive and Architecture at Legend High School. I attended Colorado School of Mines - Additive Manufacturing Research Experience for Teachers, Wings Over the Rockies Teacher Flight Program, and have been recognized by the Colorado Technology Association - Teacher of the Year, and the Technology Student Association - Advisor of the Year.

I have so many students interested in Aerospace and I would like to be able to bring more aerospace into my classroom to help make connections for my students. I would like to create a unit of study for each of the classes I teach that brings aerospace into the classroom. I know there are many connections that can be made for students. 

Joe Wagner 

Joe has been teaching at Eads High School in Eads, CO for nine years. As the only science teacher in Eads, Joe gets to teach all of the sciences; astronomy, zoology, biology, chemistry, etc., which he loves to do. He has been fortunate enough to work on several projects with companies such as NASA, SETI, Arrow Electronics, and Purdue University. Joe looks forward to learning as much as he can about the aerospace industry, bringing it back to his students, and enhancing their interest in aerospace. Colorado is a great state for anyone who wants to go into the aerospace industry and Joe wants to prepare his students to enter the industry.

Upcoming CSBR Events:

Webinar with Edgar Papke, July 8, 2024, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm MST

CSBR Community Connector Kickoff, July 10, 2024, 7:30 am - 9:30 am MST

J.E.D.I. Equity Workshop, July 23, 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm MST

Women in Aerospace, Equip Yourself to Engage in Challenging Conversations, July 25, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MST

Aerospace Exchange Event: SCIF Space and the Rapidly Developing Ecosystem in Colorado, August 1, 2024, 7:30 am - 9:30 am MST

Stay connected throughout the year - check out our Events Calendar HERE!

If you would like for us to add your coming events to our calendar, please reach out to our office at info@coloradosbr.org

BECOME A CSBR MEMBER TODAY!

Click HERE for more information and to join!

For membership questions please reach out to our office at info@coloradosbr.org

CSBR Member Benefits Include:

  • Significantly reduced member pricing for the December Colorado Space Roundup

  • Complimentary registration at the annual Beer & Brats with Astronauts

  • Exclusive members only Aerospace Exchanges

  • Password Protected Member Center on our website ~ includes resources and access to CSBR membership list

  • Discounted member advertising and sponsorship opportunities

  • Newsletter & social media contribution opportunities

CSBR welcomes our newest members:

Timi Aguilar

Rhonda Ahrens

Vlad Aleksiev

William Barrett

Beth Best

Andy Boian

Jamie Brandess

Aaron Chick

Justin Clements

Lacy Collier

Brian Dawson

Colleen De Jac

ERIC Enriquez

Michael Fry

Andrew Garcia

Emerson Garnett

Ryan Hill

Jake Jessop

Quentin Lheritier

Nicole McAllister

Charlie McLean

Tom McLeod

Trevor Nolan

Chris Parsons

Kevin Perez

Andi Sue Phillips

Jarrod Schiffbauer

Steve Shultz

Brian Simms

Betcy Smith

Jef Smith

Marshall Thomson

Ian Tobin

Mitch Vander Wall

Nina Ward

Merle Waterman

Chris Watson

Jessica Wilber

Heather Williams

Evan Winterfeldt


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