Aerospace States Association

10/06/2026

09/16/2026

The hunt is on for a state to host the newly announced U.S. Space Academy. Groundbreaking for the new institution, wherever it ends up being, is targeted for 2027.

09/10/2026

The Aerospace States Association extends our sincere appreciation to the Aerospace States Association - New Mexico Chapter and the incredible team that made the 34th ASA Annual Meeting & 7th Summit the largest and most well-attended meeting in our history.

A special thank you to our host, New Mexico Lt. Governor Howie Morales and his Director of Operations, Martina C'de Baca, Cilicia Acosta and Scott McLaughlin with Spaceport America, Arial DeHerrera with NewSpace Nexus, Sonya Rivera with the New Mexico True, Stacey DeForewith Lockheed Martin, Jennifer Goodrum at Rocket Lab, Stephan Eichermueller with Visit Albuquerque and so many others who worked tirelessly to make ASA 34 extraordinary.

You demonstrated why ASA is the premier organization for aerospace policy at the state, territorial, and tribal levels of government—and made ASA 34 one of ASA's best Annual Meetings in our history.

A Deep Thank You.

09/09/2026

ASA 34: From KaBoom to Launch

The 34th Aerospace States Association Annual Meeting & 7th State Aerospace Policy Summit delivered an unforgettable four days of aerospace policy, innovation, exploration, and partnership.

Attendees went from “KaBoom to Launch,” starting with a car explosion demonstration at New Mexico Tech, to a behind-the-scenes tour of Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America; enjoyed dinner with Apollo astronauts, New Mexico leaders, and commercial astronauts; explored America’s nuclear enterprise at Sandia National Laboratories; witnessed the latest anti-drone technologies; and engaged in policy discussions ranging from STEM and workforce initiatives to Golden Dome.

None of this would have been made possible without the incredible support of our sponsors.
-Lockheed Martin
-New Mexico State Government Economic Development Department
-New Mexico True
-New Mexico Partnership
- The University of New Mexico - UNM
-Rocket Lab
-United Launch Alliance
-New Mexico Tech
-Merrick & Company
-Caribou Thunder LLC
-Lt. Governor Howie Morales
-AV
-Castelion
-Q Station
-NewSpace Nexus
-Virgin Galactic
-Qwaltec
-Phantom Space
-Spaceport America
-Virginia AeroSpace Business Association (VASBA)
-XRDNA
-New Mexico Museum of Space History
-Virginia Commonwealth University
-Auburn University

They make the Aerospace States Association the nation's premier organization for aerospace policy across America’s states, tribes, and territories.

Thank you!

09/09/2026

AMERICA TURNS 250- CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD DAY!

California—admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850, as the 31st state—has built one of the nation’s most influential aerospace and defense economies, anchored by world-leading companies, federal research centers, military installations, and a highly skilled workforce. The state is home to major aerospace organizations including NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and a broad industry base supporting launch vehicles, spacecraft, satellites, propulsion, and advanced defense systems. Companies such as SpaceX, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, and Rocket Lab have helped make California a center of innovation across commercial space, national security, and advanced aerospace technologies. The Aerospace States Association’s California Chapter further strengthens this ecosystem by bringing together state policymakers, industry, academia, and aerospace leaders to advance policies that support California’s aerospace competitiveness, economic development, and workforce.
California’s contributions to America’s space program span virtually every era of exploration.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has led some of the nation’s most iconic robotic missions, including Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, and the Mars rover missions, while Edwards has served as a critical center for flight research and reusable spacecraft development.

08/24/2026

Last week, Virgin Galactic was proud to support the Aerospace States Association's 34th annual event in our operational headquarters in New Mexico. Astronaut Jamila Hull Sosa was the keynote of the Thomas R. Hobson/Robert A. David, Jr. Distinguished Aerospace Service award dinner, speaking about her spaceflight experience on a Virgin Galactic mission. A heartfelt thank you to Lt. Governor Howie Morales for hosting this event and bringing together so many engaged parties from across the states, tribes, and territories to discuss policy, economic development, and the future of aerospace.

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

2026 Thomas R. Hobson/Robert A. Davis, Jr, Awardee for Distinguished Aerospace Service- Awarded posthumously.

Col. Michael Heill, Ph.D., P.E. was a distinguished aerospace and defense leader whose more than 40-year career spanned military service, aerospace research and development, education, industry, and public policy. A 1975 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he served as Commander of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, and Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL’s Propulsion Directorate. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 2005.

Following his military career, Dr. Heil served as President and CEO of the Ohio Aerospace Institute from 2007 to 2016, advancing collaboration among industry, government, and academia. He later continued his work as an aerospace and defense consultant and was a Fellow of the AIAA - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Dr. Heil was a longtime member and leader of the Aerospace States Association, representing the State of Ohio and serving as ASA Treasurer. He was a trusted advisor to the Association and an important bridge between ASA and the broader aerospace professional community, including AIAA. Throughout his years of service, he was a tireless advocate for aerospace policy, workforce development, research, innovation, and the importance of connecting state leadership with the aerospace industry.