Insider Brief
- The Texas Space Commission has approved $26 million in new grants to five space-focused companies, including Aegis Aerospace ($10M), Interlune ($4.84M), KULR Technology Group ($6.7M), Venus Aerospace ($3.9M), and ICON Technology ($694K), bringing total SEARF awards to $95.3 million across 14 projects.
- The funding is part of the state’s $150 million Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund, created through 2023 legislation to grow Texas’ leadership in commercial space, with $54.7 million remaining for future grants.
- During the meeting, U.S. Space Force Association CEO Col. William Woolf briefed the board on the organization’s mission to support the Space Force through policy engagement, testing, and collaboration, reflecting increasing alignment between Texas and national space priorities.
PRESS RELEASE – During an Open Meeting, the Texas Space Commission (TSC) board of directors voted to approve grant applications that total $26 million for five proposed projects.
- Aegis Aerospace, Inc. Houston up to $10,000,000
- ICON Technology, Inc. Austin up to $694,350
- Interlune Corporation Houston up to $4,840,000
- KULR Technology Group, Inc. Webster up to $6,703,500
- Venus Aerospace Corporation Houston up to $3,900,000
“This is a pivotal moment in strengthening and accelerating the Texas space economy,” said Gwen Griffin, chair of the TSC board. “The projects awarded funding today will each play a critical role in ensuring Texas’ place as a leader in the emerging space economy while expanding our capabilities as a nation.”
Previously, TSC awarded $21.5 million to four projects on Jan. 24th and $47.7 million to five projects on February 25th for a total of $69.2 million. Today’s awards total $26 million bringing the total awards granted to $95.3 million for 14 projects. A $54.7 million balance remains available in the Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF) for future awards.
During the meeting, retired USSF Colonel William “Hippie” Woolf, Founder and President (CEO) of the U.S. Space Force Association (SFA), gave an overview of the organization to the board. SFA is an independent nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting the U.S. Space Force mission to provide credible deterrence in competition, dominant capability in combat, and professional services for all partners. They aim to achieve this by sharing knowledge and sparking dialogue within the space community, focusing on research and testing forward and innovative ideas with rigor, engaging stakeholders and fostering collaboration, and influencing policy and informed decisions.
In 2023, the 88th Texas Legislature passed, and Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3447 by Representative Greg Bonnen M.D. to establish the TSC as well as the Texas Aerospace Research & Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC). The total appropriation made by the Legislature to SEARF Trust was $150 million.
The TSC board plans to meet again in May to consider more grant applications.
