Denver brings together major aerospace contractors like Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace, plus a wave of creative startups. United Launch Alliance, based just outside the city in Centennial, handles critical launch services.
The city’s space scene feels like an energetic mix—established defense giants work side by side with new commercial ventures.
Lockheed Martin Space runs its largest facility in Littleton, just south of Denver. The company employs more than 8,000 people across Colorado and builds NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the Artemis lunar program.
This Littleton campus covers 3.6 million square feet. Their engineers design and build crew capsules, heat shields, and life support systems for deep space missions.
Ball Aerospace calls Broomfield, north of Denver, home. They focus on satellites, space instruments, and ground systems for NASA and the Department of Defense.
Ball built the primary mirror and key instruments for the James Webb Space Telescope. The company employs over 5,000 people in Colorado and brings in about $2 billion a year from space contracts.
Sierra Nevada Corporation also has facilities around the Denver metro. They focus on space systems, especially the Dream Chaser spaceplane, which will transport cargo and crew to the International Space Station.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) keeps its headquarters in Centennial, Colorado. This joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing delivers launch services for military, government, and commercial customers.
ULA operates the Atlas V rocket fleet and is developing the Vulcan Centaur rocket. The Vulcan promises more flexibility and lower costs than older launch vehicles.
Since 2006, ULA has racked up over 150 successful missions. They launch crucial national security satellites and NASA science missions from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Their Denver-area team handles mission planning, engineering, and spacecraft integration. ULA’s clean rooms and testing labs prep satellites before launch.
Blue Canyon Technologies works out of Lafayette, specializing in small satellite design and manufacturing. They build CubeSats and larger satellites—up to 500 kilograms—for government and commercial clients.
NASA tapped Blue Canyon to build the CAPSTONE CubeSat, which tested lunar orbit operations. They also produce satellite buses, reaction wheels, and attitude control systems.
Lunar Outpost develops robotic systems for Moon and Mars exploration. This Westminster-based startup creates rovers and resource extraction gear for future space missions.
Astroscale set up shop in Denver to offer satellite servicing and space debris removal. They’re tackling the growing problem of orbital congestion with new spacecraft tech.
These startups take advantage of Colorado’s skilled aerospace workforce and the proximity to top research universities. Venture capital keeps flowing into Denver-area space companies as they develop new commercial space technologies.
Denver’s space industry pumps billions into economic activity and creates thousands of high-paying jobs across the aerospace economy. The region pulls in huge federal contracts and private investment that keep both established companies and emerging startups growing.
Denver’s aerospace economy has grown to an impressive scale. Over 2,000 aerospace businesses now operate throughout the metro area.
These companies brought in $22.8 billion in federal aerospace funding in 2023 alone. The region ranks second only to California in overall aerospace economy size.
This growth comes from decades of strategic development, much of it dating back to the Cold War.
Key Economic Indicators:
The industry has expanded rapidly during the last twenty years. Startups keep launching new technologies while established firms manage major satellite operations and launches.
The aerospace industry directly employs more than 55,000 workers in Denver’s metro region. Another 184,000 Colorado residents support space activities in related industries.
Colorado leads the nation in private aerospace industry jobs per capita. This workforce includes engineers, technicians, and support staff working across government contractors and commercial space companies.
Employment Statistics:
Major employers include Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Special Aerospace Services. These companies offer salaries that beat national averages for similar roles.
Federal investment fuels much of Denver’s space sector. Military contracts and research funding play a huge part.
The U.S. Space Force runs three bases in Colorado, bringing big government spending to the region.
Recent contract awards show the federal commitment isn’t slowing down. Auria Space and Sphinx Defense together received $17.6 million for cloud-based ground station marketplace development.
Investment Breakdown:
Private investment is picking up as commercial space activities expand. The shift from government-only programs to commercial operations opens new funding opportunities for aerospace businesses all over Denver.
Denver’s space industry revolves around satellite production and research labs that push next-generation spacecraft technology. The city hosts major manufacturing operations that build satellites for commercial and government clients all over the world.
York Space Systems runs Denver’s biggest satellite manufacturing facility. They recently quadrupled their production capacity with a new “mega” factory in the city.
This lets York Space Systems meet rising demand for small satellites. Their facility builds spacecraft for a range of commercial uses, from communications to Earth observation.
Key Manufacturing Capabilities:
Denver also attracts manufacturers from outside Colorado. Safran Defense & Space opened a facility in Parker to produce electric propulsion thrusters for satellites.
The Parker site also builds space telemetry ground equipment, which connects satellites in orbit with ground control centers.
Denver’s research centers focus on advancing satellite technology. Teams here work on new propulsion systems, communication arrays, and sensor packages for future spacecraft.
Safran’s Parker facility acts as a research hub for satellite communications tech. Engineering teams there develop space and ground domain awareness systems.
Local universities team up with aerospace companies on satellite research projects. These partnerships blend academic research with industry needs.
Research Focus Areas:
The city’s research ecosystem gets a boost from Colorado’s broader aerospace industry. The state employs over 240,000 aerospace workers and has seen 30% growth in the last five years.
Denver-built satellites serve a wide range of commercial and government applications. These spacecraft provide communication services, Earth monitoring, and navigation support worldwide.
Commercial satellite operators use spacecraft from Denver for constellation programs. These constellations deliver internet and data services to customers around the globe.
Government agencies rely on Denver-made satellites for national security missions. These spacecraft monitor space activities and ensure secure communications for military operations.
Primary Applications:
Satellites produced in Denver integrate with existing space infrastructure. Ground stations and control centers work with these spacecraft to deliver services to end users.
Aerospace companies in Denver design both crewed spacecraft for human missions and robotic explorers that travel across the solar system. Advanced testing facilities in the city help teams put spacecraft systems through their paces before launch.
Lockheed Martin’s Littleton facility serves as the main production center for NASA’s Orion spacecraft. Orion stands as the most advanced human-rated spacecraft ever built for deep space exploration.
The Orion program employs over 3,000 engineers and technicians across Colorado. Each spacecraft includes advanced life support systems that can keep four astronauts alive for up to 21 days.
Ball Aerospace in Boulder designs key instruments for both human and robotic missions. They built the navigation systems for Orion and scientific cameras for Mars rovers.
Blue Canyon Technologies focuses on small satellite platforms for robotic missions. Their X-Series spacecraft buses support satellites up to 500 kilograms.
The company’s CAPSTONE CubeSat tested lunar orbit operations for the Artemis program. This 25-kilogram spacecraft demonstrated navigation techniques that larger crewed vehicles will use around the Moon.
Denver companies also build robotic spacecraft for planetary exploration. These vehicles carry scientific instruments to study distant worlds and send data back to Earth.
Colorado companies put spacecraft through extensive testing at specialized facilities before launch. Ball Aerospace runs clean rooms and thermal vacuum chambers in Boulder for satellite assembly and environmental testing.
Lockheed Martin’s Littleton site houses huge test chambers that mimic the harsh environment of space. Engineers blast Orion spacecraft with extreme temperatures, vibration, and electromagnetic interference.
Their acoustic test chamber produces sound levels as loud as a rocket launch. This ensures spacecraft can survive the intense noise and shaking during ascent.
United Launch Alliance keeps integration facilities in Centennial, where spacecraft get connected to their rockets. Their Atlas V and upcoming Vulcan Centaur rockets launch from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Colorado State University operates ground stations that talk to spacecraft after launch. These facilities track satellites and collect scientific data from missions across the solar system.
Denver’s high altitude offers some perks for spacecraft testing and operations. The thin atmosphere at 5,280 feet more closely matches the conditions satellites face in low Earth orbit.
NASA’s presence keeps Denver’s space sector thriving through major contracts and research partnerships. The International Space Station acts as a testing ground for Denver companies working on next-generation space technologies.
NASA recently gave Denver-based companies some big contracts that are shaping the future of space exploration. Voyager Space, working with Lockheed Martin and Nanoracks, landed a $160 million contract to design Starlab—a commercial space station that’s supposed to replace the International Space Station by 2027.
Starlab signals a major change in how we operate in space. It’ll house six astronauts in a space about a third the size of the current ISS.
Lockheed Martin’s Colorado team—about 1,300 people—are hands-on with the project, especially with their inflatable habitat design and manufacturing expertise.
Denver companies aren’t just focused on near-Earth projects. They’re also building components for the Orion spacecraft, which will take astronauts to the Moon and, hopefully, Mars.
These efforts are turning Denver into a key player for both low-Earth orbit and deep-space missions.
NASA’s push into the commercial space economy is opening doors for Denver firms, giving them steady, long-term business.
The International Space Station acts as a testing ground for aerospace innovation out of Denver. Local companies use the ISS to try out new tech before rolling it out on commercial missions or future stations.
Nanoracks has delivered more than 1,300 commercial payloads from 30 different countries to the ISS over the last decade. This experience helped secure their spot on the Starlab team and highlights Denver’s growing role in space logistics.
Colorado pulls in over $5 billion a year from NASA contracts. The state supports more than 55,000 direct aerospace jobs, many tied to ISS research and operations.
The ISS partnership model has given Denver companies a head start on running commercial space stations. They learn the ropes—like safety protocols and crew management—that’ll transfer right over to private projects like Starlab.
Denver plays a big role in U.S. Space Force operations. The city hosts important military installations and defense contractors that back national space missions.
The region’s aerospace infrastructure connects straight to Space Force bases in Colorado Springs, supporting satellite operations and space defense efforts.
The U.S. Space Force keeps close ties to Denver, thanks to its proximity to Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. These bases house the United States Space Command headquarters and handle satellite control.
Peterson Space Force Base coordinates space operations nationwide. The base monitors satellite communications and missile warning systems to protect American interests.
Military personnel there work directly with aerospace companies based in Denver.
Schriever Space Force Base runs satellite control missions from Colorado Springs. They manage military and intelligence satellites around the globe.
Denver companies such as York Space Systems recently signed a $237 million Space Force contract for small satellite production.
The Space Force teams up with Denver’s growing aerospace sector. Companies like Voyager Technologies focus on defense and space tech development.
This partnership brings jobs and sparks innovation across the metro area.
Denver aerospace companies take on critical roles in Space Force defense missions. Local firms design technologies for satellite communications, navigation, and space-based security.
York Space Systems builds small satellites for national security. Their $237 million contract shows just how much Denver matters to Space Force capabilities.
These satellites keep military communications and surveillance running.
Voyager Technologies focuses on defense solutions and space tech. They’re working on projects that help keep a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
Their know-how supports Space Force’s bigger goals.
Colorado contractors also handle specialized maintenance. One Denver company became the first to refuel a Space Force asset in orbit.
That ability extends satellite life and cuts down on replacement costs for military programs.
Colorado universities keep the talent pipeline flowing, sending trained aerospace workers into the space industry. Specialized training programs help professionals pick up mission-critical skills for the fast-growing commercial space sector.
Colorado’s five major research universities form the backbone of aerospace workforce development. They graduate engineers, scientists, and technical experts who drive innovation at companies like SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin.
The state’s aerospace sector grew 17% between 2018 and 2023. Universities responded by expanding space-focused programs.
Students get hands-on experience with satellite design, orbital mechanics, and propulsion.
Regional space coalition leaders call these universities the “center of gravity” for aerospace talent development. Graduate programs in aerospace engineering turn out specialists ready to get to work right away.
Research partnerships between universities and space companies open direct paths from the classroom to a career. Students contribute to real missions while finishing their degrees.
The Space Workforce Institute created professional certificate programs to address skill gaps. These programs validate expertise in space mission areas, orbital mechanics, and spacecraft design.
Seven specialized certificates cover topics like electromagnetic radiation, rocket science basics, and space environment conditions. Pros earn industry recognition by passing standardized assessments.
Certificate holders show they’re competent in propulsion, flight mechanics, and mission planning. Companies use these credentials to spot qualified candidates quickly.
Private training providers adjust their curricula to match industry needs. Programs focus on practical skills for satellite operations, launch procedures, and mission support.
The Space Foundation’s workforce initiatives bring together military experts, NASA pros, and private sector leaders to build training standards that fit real mission requirements.
Colorado Springs acts as the command center for America’s space operations. Strategic partnerships along the Front Range create a connected ecosystem.
The city houses key space infrastructure and encourages collaboration that links Denver’s commercial sector with military and research operations.
Colorado Springs anchors the country’s military space efforts as home to U.S. Space Command headquarters. Keeping Space Command in the city saves almost 1,400 jobs and brings in $1 billion a year in economic impact.
The Space Foundation is based in Colorado Springs as a nonprofit advocacy group. They provide education and foster collaboration for the global space industry.
Every year, they host the Space Symposium, drawing industry leaders from around the world.
Major space companies keep picking Colorado Springs for expansion. Digantara, a space surveillance and intelligence firm, recently chose the city for its operations.
They specialize in space domain awareness tech.
Aerospace businesses like the city for its skilled workforce and business-friendly climate. Colorado Springs offers direct access to military contracts and defense partnerships that commercial space companies want.
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Colorado Springs Chamber teamed up in 2025. Their partnership targets aerospace, cybersecurity, and defense businesses along the eastern Front Range.
Regional cooperation covers 11 counties and nearly 100 cities and economic groups. The partnership adopted a Code of Ethics promoting fair competition and collaboration.
The Northern Colorado Defense & Aerospace Group creates networking opportunities from Denver to Cheyenne. This initiative connects government officials with industry partners in defense and aerospace.
Colorado’s space industry gains from this regional approach. Companies tap into both Denver’s commercial sector and Colorado Springs’ military infrastructure.
The collaboration supports a talent pipeline, with over 11,000 students enrolled in aerospace programs statewide.
Colorado’s Space Symposium is the top event for space professionals worldwide. It draws over 10,000 attendees from 40+ countries who come to influence policy and check out the latest innovations.
This annual gathering sparks industry collaboration and showcases new tech.
The Space Symposium stands as the country’s most important space policy forum. Government officials, military leaders, and space agency heads use it to announce new initiatives and policy changes.
Cabinet officials show up regularly to address the crowd. Secretaries of defense, commerce, and transportation give keynotes.
NASA administrators and U.S. Strategic Command leaders share their visions.
International space agencies get involved in policy discussions. Representatives from over 40 countries talk about space cooperation and regulatory frameworks.
These conversations help shape the future of space exploration and commercial activity.
The symposium brings all corners of the space world together. Commercial companies meet government agencies to talk partnerships.
Military organizations connect with private contractors to advance national security.
The exhibit center features two big halls packed with the latest space tech. Companies show off everything from nanotechnology to full-size spacecraft models.
Attendees can get an up-close look at these innovations.
Key networking opportunities include:
The event creates what some call an “incubator of opportunity.” People from all over the space industry connect in ways you just don’t see elsewhere.
Commercial space companies meet new customers and partners.
Students and young professionals start with the Space Generation Fusion Forum before the main event. This three-day gathering focuses on next-generation space leadership and emerging trends.
The Broadmoor resort setting actually helps networking. The layout makes it easy to have informal chats between sessions.
A lot of attendees say their best connections happen during these casual moments.
Denver’s aerospace industry builds technologies for both defense and commercial markets. These dual-use innovations cover everything from satellite systems to advanced materials, helping both military operations and civilian needs.
Colorado’s aerospace companies create advanced technologies that boost national security and deliver commercial value. Satellite technology is probably the most common dual-use area in the state’s space sector.
Ball Aerospace makes advanced imaging satellites that monitor Earth for military intelligence and civilian weather forecasting. Their spacecraft provide missile warning for the Space Force and climate data for researchers.
Blue Canyon Technologies builds small satellites for defense surveillance and commercial Earth observation. Their attitude control systems guide both military reconnaissance satellites and civilian research craft with the same precision.
Navigation and communication systems developed in Colorado power military operations and civilian GPS services. These tools enable accurate targeting for defense and help run navigation apps on your phone.
Raytheon Technologies designs cybersecurity solutions that protect military satellite networks and commercial space infrastructure. Their software guards government communications from cyber attacks and secures civilian satellite internet.
Colorado universities push advanced materials research, producing lightweight composites for military spacecraft and commercial aircraft. These materials lower launch costs for defense missions and make civilian space tourism more affordable.
Denver aerospace companies are busy turning military-funded research into profitable commercial products. This shift opens up new revenue streams and lets them rely less on government contracts.
Lockheed Martin takes spacecraft technologies from defense programs and adapts them for commercial satellite manufacturing. Their work on the Orion crew capsule helps both NASA’s Artemis program and could even play a role in future space tourism.
Startup companies like Astroscale have started offering space debris removal services, using tech that originally protected military satellites. These services make orbits safer for both defense and commercial satellites.
Sierra Space draws on years of military space manufacturing experience to build commercial space stations. Their facilities produce solar arrays for government satellites, but they’re also developing power systems for private space habitats.
The University of Colorado Boulder licenses atmospheric research tools to commercial weather companies. These instruments first helped the military predict weather, but now they’re finding uses in agriculture and aviation too.
Venture capital keeps flowing into Colorado’s aerospace sector, especially for dual-use technologies. Investors seem to like that companies serving both defense and commercial markets can build more stable revenue streams than those focused on just one.
Denver’s space industry is thriving thanks to specialized incubators connecting startups with aerospace giants, plus robust government programs that fuel economic growth. This setup creates a solid support network for space-related companies at every stage.
Denver’s aerospace incubators focus on linking emerging space companies with established industry leaders. The Colorado Space Business Roundtable brings together federal, state, and local players to support services across engineering, manufacturing, and business development.
Venture capital keeps coming into Colorado space companies as investors spot opportunities in satellite tech, space manufacturing, and commercial lunar missions. The state’s position lets startups tap into both traditional aerospace contracts and new commercial markets.
Key investment advantages include:
The aerospace ecosystem around Denver has grown 88% in the last twenty years. This kind of growth naturally brings mentorship, as established companies attract support businesses nearby.
Small businesses often get their start as suppliers for bigger programs. Over 184 Colorado companies contribute to NASA’s Artemis program supply chain, giving new space companies plenty of ways to get involved.
Colorado’s government agencies push aerospace development forward with targeted incentives and infrastructure investments. The Colorado Space Coalition fights for legislation that helps the industry grow and connects aerospace companies with military leaders and universities.
U.S. Space Command calls Colorado Springs home and employs about 1,700 people. This military presence keeps demand high for space-related services all over Denver.
The state runs more than 30 federal labs that work closely with private companies on R&D. Five major research universities feed innovation and keep the talent pipeline moving.
Economic development agencies team up with Space Systems Command to spot emerging tech and funding. These partnerships help both established contractors and startups handle regulations and access federal procurement.
Colorado Springs hosts the annual Space Symposium, which brings in over 10,000 space professionals from around the world. The event sparks networking and shows off local capabilities to potential clients and partners.
The Space Foundation helps connect civilian space companies with military and government partners, pushing commercial spaceflight development across the region.
Denver’s space industry grabs attention from job seekers, investors, and space fans who want to know about the region’s role in commercial spaceflight and aerospace innovation. The metro area is home to major contractors, cutting-edge startups, and supports key missions from lunar exploration to satellite manufacturing.
Lockheed Martin stands out as Denver’s largest space contractor, with over 10,000 employees across several facilities. The company develops and tests the Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis program at its Waterton Canyon campus in Littleton.
Raytheon Technologies has a strong presence through Blue Canyon Technologies in Lafayette. This facility employs more than 400 people and builds small satellites in two Boulder factories.
Space and Mission Systems, which used to be Ball Aerospace, now operates from Westminster after BAE Systems bought the company for $5.6 billion. The site specializes in satellite technology and space instruments.
Maxar and Northrop Grumman also have major campuses in the Denver area. These companies focus on satellite manufacturing, space systems integration, and defense tech.
More than 400 space-related firms operate in the region. Interestingly, over 60% of metro Denver aerospace companies have fewer than 10 employees, so there’s a strong startup scene alongside the big names.
NASA has tapped more than 90 Colorado companies for work on the Artemis Moon to Mars project. These missions are expected to support 14,600 jobs in Colorado and generate $3 billion in economic output.
Denver companies design both the spacecraft that will carry astronauts to deep space and the lunar rovers they’ll use. Lockheed Martin’s Orion capsule gets most of its development and testing at the Littleton site.
Local firms helped develop the James Webb Space Telescope. They’re also involved in satellite tracking of global conflicts and launching methane-detecting sensors for environmental monitoring.
Blue Canyon Technologies and Space and Mission Systems teamed up on MethaneSat for the Environmental Defense Fund. This satellite launched in March to track methane emissions worldwide.
Denver-based companies are supporting Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which wants to launch a constellation of satellites to provide global internet access.
Denver companies are building artificial intelligence systems that let spacecraft operate with less human supervision. These AI tools can change satellite mission parameters from the ground, on the fly.
Software now allows real-time satellite course corrections from Earth. This helps with the growing problem of satellite congestion in busy orbits.
Small satellite manufacturing is booming in Boulder. Blue Canyon Technologies has ramped up production since Raytheon’s 2020 acquisition.
Companies are pushing forward with debris tracking and space traffic control tech. Colorado Springs has become a national hub for these essential safety services.
Several Denver-area firms are developing manufacturing techniques for lunar operations, aiming to support construction and resource extraction on the Moon.
Colorado’s universities act as the “center of gravity” for aerospace workforce development. These schools provide a steady stream of talent for local space companies.
Aerospace employment in Colorado has jumped 32.5% over five years, reaching nearly 37,000 jobs. These positions pay an average salary of about $135,000, well above the state average.
Research universities are close to military bases and national labs, opening up unique collaboration opportunities. Students get hands-on experience with real space projects and top-notch facilities.
University research programs match industry needs in satellite tech, space systems engineering, and planetary science. Graduates often land jobs directly with major contractors.
Academic partnerships with companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon offer internships and research funding. These relationships help keep university curriculums current.
The Space Symposium happens every year in Colorado Springs at The Broadmoor Hotel. This four-day event attracts over 1,500 companies and 12,000 attendees from 40 countries.
The symposium brings in about $16 million for the local economy. More international delegations have joined in over the last three years.
Since its founding in 1984, the event has covered everything from funding climates for space companies to AI in space and nuclear power in low Earth orbit. Sessions also dig into lunar manufacturing and satellite debris management.
The Space Foundation puts on the symposium as a nonprofit based in Colorado Springs. The event stands out as the top gathering for global space industry collaboration.
Companies use the symposium to show off new tech and build partnerships for big NASA and Department of Defense contracts. The buzz and networking reflect Colorado’s advantage as a geographic hub for the industry.
Denver sits a mile higher than sea level, so it’s already a bit closer to space. That elevation helps cut down on atmospheric interference for some space projects.
People in the industry often mention Denver’s central spot in the country. It just makes nationwide logistics a bit easier.
The area’s stable rock formations really matter too. Sensitive testing facilities need ground that won’t shake, and that’s why Lockheed Martin picked this location back in the 1950s.
Up and down the Front Range—from Wyoming to Colorado Springs—space companies can get to each other in under an hour. This close distance means contractors and startups can actually collaborate in person, which is kind of rare.
Colorado’s spot on the map also played a role during the Cold War. Major aerospace companies wanted inland rocket sites, safe from submarine threats, and Colorado fit the bill.
The Colorado Air and Space Port covers 3,200 acres, just six miles from Denver International Airport. That puts it right next to a high-tech workforce and all the global travel connections anyone could need.
