Tulsa’s Space Industry Set for Expansion with Agile Space Industries’ New Testing Facility

Insider Brief

• Agile Space Industries has announced plans to develop the Tulsa Space Test Center, a new testing facility dedicated to in-space propulsion.
• The center, scheduled to open by 2027, will be located adjacent to Tulsa International Airport and address a national need for advanced propulsion testing infrastructure.
• With an estimated $20 million investment in the TSTC’s design, construction, and commissioning, the facility is expected to generate new, skilled jobs in the Tulsa metro area.

Agile Space Industries, a prominent aerospace propulsion and testing firm, has announced plans to develop the Tulsa Space Test Center (TSTC), a new testing facility dedicated to in-space propulsion. Scheduled to open by 2027, TSTC will address a national need for advanced propulsion testing infrastructure and position Tulsa as a key player in aerospace.

Strategically located adjacent to Tulsa International Airport, TSTC has been established in collaboration with the Tulsa Airport Improvements Trust. The center will support critical testing needs for NASA, commercial space companies, and the U.S. Department of Defense, offering capabilities tailored to the demands of next-generation space missions.

Chris Pearson, CEO of Agile Space Industries, emphasized the necessity of this facility: “There is a critical shortage of testing infrastructure for in-space propulsion systems. We are committed to building an advanced testing environment that meets the evolving demands of national defense and commercial space missions. This investment not only addresses the limitations of existing facilities but positions Tulsa as a magnet for wider space industry growth and innovation.”

This initiative also stands to benefit Tulsa’s local economy. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, now a managing partner of The Artemis Group, highlighted the larger impact of TSTC, noting that “the Tulsa Space Test Center, supported by Tulsa’s robust aerospace workforce and strategic infrastructure assets, will attract further investment and growth to the region, creating high-paying jobs and establishing Tulsa as a hub for future space innovation.” Bridenstine underscored the central role that space now plays in the global economy, estimated at over $600 billion and projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040.

With an estimated $20 million investment in the TSTC’s design, construction, and commissioning, the facility is expected to generate new, skilled jobs in the Tulsa metro area. This workforce growth will be supported by a collaboration between Agile and local schools and universities, designed to inspire future aerospace talent. Through this partnership, Agile aims to offer hands-on STEM experiences, create career pathways, and cultivate an aerospace-ready workforce, underscoring its long-term commitment to regional growth and industry innovation.

As TSTC moves forward, Tulsa is poised to become a central player in space technology development, potentially attracting further investment and supporting new aerospace advancements that could impact both national security and the commercial space industry.

Image credit: Agile Space Industries