2019 Summer Showcase

Adams County’s Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP), Accelerate Colorado, and the Colorado Space Coalition brought together aerospace, aviation, and government leaders from across the globe at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for a day of educational panels and networking for the Summer Showcase on Tuesday, July 30.

CASP director Dave Ruppel gave a presentation demonstrating the economic benefits of the spaceport and offering a glimpse into CASP’s future in aerospace. Political leaders such as Gov. Jared Polis, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, and U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter spoke of their full support behind aerospace development at CASP while U.S. Representative Jason Crow did the same through a pre-recorded video.

“It’s is tremendously helpful to have our state’s leaders and Congressional delegation offer their full backing to our efforts at CASP,” Ruppel said. “They will be key to helping us gain further support statewide and in Washington.”

A panel discussion, moderated by Vicky Lea of the Colorado Space Coalition, on the value and impact CASP brings to Colorado featured Jay Lindell, Major General Ret., of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade; Shuji Ogawa of Japan-based PD AeroSpace; Adrian Tansing of Reaction Engines from the United Kingdom; Frank Trevino of Exodus Space Corporation; Brian Gulliver from Kimley-Horn; and Chrystal Morgan from United Launch Alliance.

Reaction Engines already runs a new high-temperature airflow test facility at CASP while PD AeroSpace signed a letter of intent in April to develop and expand operations at CASP.

Several leaders from PD AeroSpace visited Colorado for a week prior to the Summer Showcase to inspect CASP’s facilities and learn more about the historic Japanese influence in Adams County and Colorado. During their visit, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed July 24-30 as PD AeroSpace Week in Adams County.

“We are so fortunate to have found a perfect match in PD AeroSpace to operate their reusable sub-orbital spaceplane at our facility,” said Board Chair Steve O’Dorisio. “We keep saying these are Adams County people because their values and drive for innovation align exactly with ours.”

Now back in Japan, the team from PD AeroSpace will continue to work with leaders from CASP and Adams County on the common goal of developing their spaceplane for scientific experimentation, space tourism, and transportation from CASP’s location a few minutes east of Denver International Airport.

“Colorado has started to be known as ‘Aerospace Alley,’ and companies around the U.S. and internationally are taking notice,” said Adams County Manager Raymond Gonzales, who gave closing remarks at the Summer Showcase. “We’re thrilled to partner with Reaction Engines and PD AeroSpace as we start to form the future of Colorado Air and Space Port.”