In Texas, one tends to think about space technology in relation to Houston and NASA. However, Opportunity Austin, the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s five-county economic development initiative, announced it is adding space technology and exploration to future economic development plans.
“Austin has always been at the forefront of driving innovation – from the semiconductor industry of the 70s and 80s, to the growth of the software and Internet markets of the 90s. We recognize the next great frontier for innovation in our community is space,” said Phil Wilson, Chairman of the Opportunity Austin Board of Directors and General Manager at LCRA.
Opportunity Austin is hoping to increase Austin’s space technology and exploration industries, including adding more jobs with satellites, launch providers, spacecraft components, in-space services, software, and robotics – to tap into a $314 billion market.
To help fill the need for skilled workers, the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is introducing a master’s degree in Space Entrepreneurship beginning in May 2015.