All around and above us inventions, planes, cargo ships, semi-trucks and us are all moving around. It is fascinating to think about and reflect on how far we have come in regards to getting humans and things moved across the land, and, as we’ve progressed, moving our creations and people out into air and space. Our daily routine involves taking ourselves to work or our kids to school, and other errands and activities to fill up the day. It is truly awesome to realize that our own Colorado Aerospace Industry is currently challenging aerospace norms by working out the kinks on taking humans into space for longer durations, and, finding other planets to habitat. Colorado’s Aerospace economy is currently laying the foundation along with NASA, for us all to someday be comfortable living how we are now, in space.
Right here in Colorado, which possesses one of the most diversified, multidimensional, and high-potential Aerospace economies in the nation, Lockheed Martin in Denver is currently the prime contractor building NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the only spacecraft designed for long-duration, human-rated deep space exploration. Orion will transport humans to interplanetary destinations beyond low Earth orbit, such as the moon and eventually Mars, and return them safely back to Earth. Major General Jay Lindell, Colorado’s Aerospace and Defense Industry Champion commented recently for us on Orion, “Currently, NASA is reviewing a proposal for the next developmental launch to be manned as part of the test program. The manned test launch could happen next year. This is exciting that our nations return to manned space exploration beyond low earth orbit is centered right here in Colorado!”
Furthering Colorado’s involvement in the progression of Aerospace exploration, Ball Aerospace was recently in the news for operating NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope flight program as well as collecting data from its venture. The Kepler Telescope was launched to discover Earth-like planets, and, it discovered 7 of them in the TRAPPIST-1 system back in December! More Colorado companies such as Sierra Nevada Corporation and Raytheon are improving our satellite systems for flight and weather, defense programs for our militaries and winning prestigious scientific awards. Colorado’s Aerospace industry is committed to superiority and will continue to enhance our local economy.