Space & Astronomy
Arizona – the Final Frontier in Space Technology
Arizona is known by space aficionados around the world for its roots in astronomy. The dwarf planet Pluto was discovered in 1930 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, and Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson is a short drive from the University of Arizona, which offers the largest astronomy graduate program in the country. Combined with Arizona’s more recent advancements in planetary and space sciences research, these three fields of science generated an estimated $252 billion and 3,300 jobs for Arizona in recent years.
Prominent Arizona companies such as General Dynamics, Orbital Sciences, Honeywell, Iridium, Kinetx Aerospace, Pacific Scientific, Space Data and Paragon Space Development Corporation are doing amazing things to solidify Arizona’s position as a leader in space technologies – making life-support suits for extreme environments, developing systems used in manned space programs, designing the first new space suit in more than 30 years, building satellite-deploying rockets that are launched beneath airplanes, and designing rockets to resupply the space station after the Space Shuttle retires. Quite a résumé.
Arizona’s high-tech companies benefit greatly from the state’s persistent support for space-related research and education. In addition, there is funding from NASA, JPL, National Science Foundation (NSF), Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) and the Space Telescope Institute (STSCI).
Arizona’s universities boast equally impressive space credentials, with highly regarded aeronautical programs. In 2007, the National Science Foundation ranked the University of Arizona (UA) first in research and development expenditures in physical sciences among all U.S. public universities. It’s also home to the center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics and Department of Planetary Sciences and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Arizona State University (ASU) created four scientific units for the successful Mars Exploration Rover mission (MER) that simultaneously send pictures and data back from Mars on a daily basis. ASU, UA and NAU are also members of the highly regarded NASA-sponsored Arizona Space Grant Consortium, which offers outreach, research and training in space exploration to prepare a highly specialized work force, year after year.
With preeminent space observatories and state-of-the-art telescopes, to top-ranked educational and research facilities, to Fortune 500 aerospace leaders that call it home, Arizona is undoubtedly an emerging leader in the world’s never-ending quest to learn more about our solar system and beyond.
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