By Sandra Shelton, ODAA
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) welcomes the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, (OSIDA), on July 1, as the state’s space industry agency merges into the Department. The move, prompted by passage of SB 912 during the 2025 Legislative Session, is a signal to the nation that Oklahoma intends to launch into a new frontier of space industry development, not only at the Air and Space Port located in Burns Flat, but also across the state.
ODAA has contributed to the growth and success of Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation industries in a major way over the course of its nearly 80-year history. Leaders from both the executive and legislative branches are confident that ODAA can boost the OSIDA mission and responsibilities to new heights. They believe this merger will enable the Department to translate its successes in the traditional aviation and aerospace sectors into effectively achieving the crucial objectives demanded by the state’s rapidly growing space industry.
“Oklahoma is charting a bold new course to elevate our role in the growing space economy. While our state has long supported traditional NASA missions and aerospace programs, the vast potential of the modern commercial space industry remains largely untapped,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “With this legislation, we’re making it clear: Oklahoma doesn’t just plan to compete—we plan to lead. By harnessing our robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and rising prominence in aerospace innovation, we’re opening the door to new investment, high-quality jobs, and long-term technological leadership.”
The OSIDA mission is made up of two major components: operation of the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in western Oklahoma and promoting, advocating, developing, and growing Oklahoma’s space industry across the state. The Oklahoma Air and Space Port is home to the first inland, landlocked spaceport licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the United States, with only 10 states currently hosting one.
As a part of SB 912, the OSIDA mission and responsibilities will remain intact; however, it will be operated by ODAA. All employees of OSIDA will become employees of ODAA, and the Commissioners of the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission will also act as OSIDA Board Members. Two new members will be added to represent the space industry, bringing the total number of members on the Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission to nine. Lastly, the Executive Director of ODAA will also act as the Chief Executive Officer of OSIDA.
Senator Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, authored the measure which moved OSIDA under the direction of ODAA.
“The Air and Space Port at Burns Flat has received significant investment from the state over the past three years and is well-positioned to provide a solid foundation for launching Oklahoma into the future. Our state’s second-largest and fastest-growing industry, aerospace and defense, is ready to adopt this emerging field of space commerce and transform the industry’s landscape to make aerospace and defense our largest economic sector,” said Rosino. “By building on our strengths in aerospace and defense, capitalizing on our strategic geographic location, and attracting targeted investments in cutting-edge space technologies, we are positioning ourselves as a national leader in space innovation. I look forward to seeing this legislation take effect and drive tangible results for Oklahoma’s economy and workforce, while also affirming our state’s role in advancing our nation’s space capabilities.”
The Oklahoma Air and Space Port features a 2,700-acre aerospace industrial complex, which includes the Clinton-Sherman Airport, the Oklahoma Air and Space Port headquarters and offices, and a 1,100-acre industrial park with sites available for lease and development of all facets of aeronautical and non-aeronautical manufacturing activities, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), testing, training, and many other operations. This aerospace complex serves as a test and training site for the U.S. Air Force and major aerospace companies, including Boeing, Cessna, Kratos, and Honda. The facility is home to several existing tenants, including the Premium Aerospace Center, which is an FAA Part 145 MRO operation.
“Recognizing the importance of Oklahoma’s space sector, along with statewide policies and economic support, we will propel the new space frontier into a generation of organic jobs and revenue for Oklahoma communities. This growth will occur not only at the air and space port complex in western Oklahoma but also in developing hubs of the space industry and manufacturing across the state. We are competing with states like Texas, Colorado, and Florida that have taken aggressive actions to attract the space industry in recent years, and we must continue to do so as well to ensure Oklahoma can benefit from the space revolution that is underway,” said Archer.
An example of Oklahoma solidifying its spot in that ongoing space revolution is the recent announcement where Dawn Aerospace has partnered with OSIDA to launch the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port, with operations expected to begin in 2027. This collaboration positions Oklahoma as a potential hub for microgravity research and suborbital spaceflights. The spaceplane will carry small payloads to an altitude of 100 kilometers (just over 62 miles) into space. Unlike traditional rockets, it will take off and land horizontally from a runway. Dawn Aerospace will also train a team based in Oklahoma before the flights commence at the facility.
The facility has a rich history in aerospace. It was initially a Naval Air Station during World War II and later served as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base for the Air Force from the 1950s until 1970. In 1999, the legislature established the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), which started operating the Oklahoma Air & Space Port and Industrial Park in early 2006. That year also coincided with OSIDA receiving a Launch Site License from the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation and the creation of The “Infinity One Space Corridor”, which created the nation’s first space flight corridor that was not situated within restricted military airspace. This corridor, measuring 152 miles in length and averaging 45 miles in width, is unique because it allows for more flexible and potentially more frequent space launches. The corridor enables high-inclination polar orbit capabilities for aerospace operations within the National Airspace System, ensuring it avoids military operating areas and restricted airspace.
“The team at ODAA is well-positioned to help take OSIDA and its responsibilities to the stratosphere and beyond by establishing long-lasting strategic partnerships, welcoming new aviation and aerospace tenants, and increasing awareness of what this industry can achieve. We are grateful for the Legislature entrusting our organization to help grow the impact of the space industry within Oklahoma and expect renewed excitement surrounding both the Spaceport and the space industry as a whole. With this new energy, we are eager to enhance the statewide space mission, accelerate critical public investments, and ensure that the space industry can thrive in all areas of the state,” said Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of ODAA and CEO of OSIDA.
Craig Smith now serves as the Director of Space Industry Development within the ODAA. In this new role, he will focus on advancing the space industry across the state of Oklahoma. “Oklahoma is committed to establishing a commercial spaceport to support suborbital flight facilities and strengthen the presence of the space industry in the state,” said Smith. “I look forward to continue working to promote proactive business development opportunities within the Department to attract space commerce to Burns Flat and beyond.”
The Oklahoma Air and Space Port has seen growth and development in recent years thanks to Legislative investment in infrastructure and site improvements which have attracted many of the previously named tenants such as Kratos, PAC, and Dawn Aerospace. The future is bright for this facility and upcoming uses include military training operations, civilian and military aviation MRO activities, aircraft conversions, civilian test flight operations, unmanned aircraft system testing, advanced air mobility operations, commercial space flight via horizontal launch, and non-aviation industrial business activities.
“Today begins a new era for space industry activities in Oklahoma, and we are ready to launch into the cosmos!” emphasized Ardies.
OKLAHOMA AIR & SPACEPORT ASSETS:
• Main runway features a concrete all-weather runway of 13,503 x 300 feet with 1,000’ asphalt overruns at each end
• Instrument Landing System (ILS)
• Secondary runway of 5,193 x 75 feet
• Manned Air Traffic Control tower
• Fixed Base Operator (FBO) providing Jet-A fuel and other aircraft services
• Nearly 100 acres of pavement for parking and storage
INDUSTRIAL PARK ASSETS
• Includes roads, utilities, high-speed fiber optic access, water/wastewater systems, land, and buildings for lease and development
• Electric utility substation
• Comanche County Health Services medical clinic
• Restaurant and nine-hole golf course within the industrial park
AVIATION INDUSTRY FACTS
The Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Industry comprises 1,100 aerospace companies or organizations operating within the state, generating nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity. This sector stands as the second-largest and fastest-growing economic engine in Oklahoma. The overall $44 billion is divided across three key segments: military aviation and defense ($19.3 billion); off-airport aviation and aerospace businesses ($13.9 billion); and the 108 commercial and general aviation airports ($10.6 billion). The industry supports 206,000 total jobs; 120,000 of those being direct employees with an average annual salary of $73,300. Additionally, Oklahoma boasts 10,000 pilots and more than 5,700 registered aircraft. Notably, 95% of the state’s population lives within a 30-minute drive of a jet-capable airport.
