Tulsa, Okla. (January 26, 2026) — Agile Space Industries marked a major milestone Friday with the groundbreaking of the initial $20 million phase of its Space Test Center in Tulsa, a multi-phase rocket engine testing facility designed to address a critical global shortage of altitude-capable propulsion testing infrastructure.
The Colorado-based company is developing the hot-fire rocket engine test facility on land adjacent to Tulsa International Airport, positioning the city as a strategic hub within the rapidly expanding global space economy. Industry officials estimate the space sector currently exceeds $600 billion and is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040.
“This is a moment we will look back on 10 years from now—not just for this facility, but for the future expansions that will follow,” said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Tulsa is stepping onto the global stage in the space economy. We’re not talking about billions—we’re talking about trillions of dollars, and Tulsa is positioning itself at the center of that growth.”
Built on more than 12 years of propulsion testing heritage at Agile Space Industries, the Space Test Center will offer high-throughput testing services for small- to medium-class rocket engines supporting commercial, civil, and national security space missions.
“The Space Test Center represents the first $20 million investment in what will ultimately become a $200 million propulsion testing ecosystem,” said Nick Aadland, technical manager for the Space Test Center. “This facility is intentionally scalable. It is designed to seed a new space industry hub in Oklahoma while closing a critical national gap in modern in-space propulsion test capacity.”
The project was secured following approximately 18 months of collaboration among Agile Space Industries, the City of Tulsa, The Artemis Group, and the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s economic development team.
“This facility will serve as a catalyst for long-term economic growth,” said Justin McLaughlin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “It will create high-quality jobs, attract specialized talent, and help establish Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma as a center for space-related research, testing, and satellite manufacturing.”
McLaughlin added that the Space Test Center is expected to anchor a broader ecosystem of suppliers, engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, accelerating the development of Oklahoma’s emerging space sector.
The Artemis Group is led by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who also represented Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. Bridenstine emphasized the project’s national importance.
“What we’re doing here today is not just about Tulsa or Oklahoma,” Bridenstine said. “It’s about the United States of America and ensuring we remain the strongest, safest, and most competitive nation in space.”
Construction of Agile Space Industries’ Space Test Center is expected to be completed in 2027, with future phases planned to expand testing capacity as demand continues to grow.
