Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development https://dced.pa.gov/wp-content/themes/business2015/images/logo-l.png
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
17120
United States
Aerospace & Defense
The Launchpad For Big Ideas, Design, Development, And Exploration
Astrobotic
In 2023, Astrobotic – which originally spun out of Carnegie Mellon University – will launch their first commercial mission to the moon using their “Peregrine” lunar lander developed in Pittsburgh. The mission is poised to be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo missions, and it will be the first commercial spacecraft in the world to accomplish a successful moon landing. The mission will cement Pennsylvania’s place at the forefront of the space industry and continue our long history of supporting space exploration – from making critical components for the Apollo missions in the 1970s to landing on the moon with a Pennsylvania-built lunar lander in 2023.
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Keystone Space Collaborative
The Keystone Space Collaborative is a consortium of businesses, research institutions, governments, and organizations in the space and defense innovation ecosystem across the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The goal of the Keystone Space Collaborative is to make commercial space opportunities accessible for every business that wants to succeed in this rapidly growing industry. It also is home to an interactive map where you can get a sense of the true scope and breadth of the space ecosystem in Pennsylvania.
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Notable PA Businesses
Pennsylvania’s higher-education institutions are leading the world in researching and developing the latest technology for the space ecosystem. Carnegie Mellon University is pioneering robotics and autonomy in space – which spun out global players in the space industry like Astrobotic. The University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine is testing and commercializing medical breakthroughs through microgravity research in orbit. And the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory – a DoD-designated University Affiliated Research Center – is conducting essential R&D in materials, space propulsion, and combustion power.
In December 2022, the Keystone Space Collaborative, Astrobotic, and AFWERX announced plans for a new $1B Space Innovation Center that will be located in Pittsburgh. The center will increase engagement and collaboration with space, defense and dual-use technology companies in Pennsylvania and across the tri-state region of PA, OH, and WV – which will help encourage the creation of new space companies and help attract out-of-state space companies to the region. It will also provide a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for a classified co-working environment and a declassified public co-working facility for existing businesses in the regional space ecosystem.
Funding & Resources
INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTERS (IRC)
The Industrial Resource Centers are a network of seven private, nonprofits located strategically throughout the state that works with manufacturers to respond to changing market conditions, adopt new technology, and on creating strategies to remain competitive in today’s global economy.
MANUFACTURING PA TRAINING-TO-CAREER GRANT PROGRAM
Grants support workforce programs that result in short-term work-readiness training, entry-level job placement, or the advancement of the manufacturing industry.
Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grants PROGRAM
The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program provides Pennsylvania employers with grants to help cover expenses related to instruction complementing on-the-job training.
BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS (BFTP)
The BFTP are a national model for technology-based economic development programs. BFTP provides both early-stage, technology-based firms ad established manufacturers with funding, business and technical expertise, and access to a network of innovative, expert resources.
MANUFACTURING PA INNOVATION PROGRAM
The Manufacturing PA Innovation Program brings together businesses and internationally acclaimed science and engineering talent and discovery capacity of Pennsylvania’s top research institutions. Undergraduate and graduate student fellows at PA universities work with PA manufacturers to advance new products or process innovations.
Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Tax Credit Program
The PA EDGE program provides tax credits to expanding businesses in critical manufacturing sectors. Manufacturers purchasing clean hydrogen and natural gas from a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (RCHH) many qualify for tax credits through the PA Department of Revenue.
