The Texas Space Coalition, an El Paso-based nonprofit organization, is developing integrated regional ecosystems to advance Texas' space industry by connecting academic, industry, and government leaders. Executive Director Mike Pryor outlined the coalition's mission to ignite innovation, stimulate economic development, and retain high-value talent in communities across the state during a recent interview on The Building Texas Show.
The coalition focuses on creating partnerships that drive real-world outcomes: universities secure research grants, companies access skilled talent, and government programs align with industry needs. Pryor described the approach as taking all the necessary components for space development and connecting them systematically. "All the parts are here in El Paso—light manufacturing, UTEP's Aerospace Center, White Sands Test Facility, and a synchronized local government. We're connecting them to build a thriving space economy," Pryor stated.
El Paso's unique assets position it as a strategic hub for aerospace and space activity. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Aerospace Center produces high-quality engineering talent, while the region's light manufacturing and metallurgy expertise supports advanced component production. Regional collaboration includes partnerships with New Mexico State University, Spaceport America, and Van Horn, creating a cross-border innovation corridor. Proximity to White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss provides additional testing and research opportunities.
A core goal of the coalition is retaining local talent to prevent what Pryor calls "brain drain and heart drain." By linking students and skilled workers to local space industry opportunities, the coalition helps build intact, thriving communities. "It breaks my heart to see a PhD in aerospace engineering get in their car and drive off to another state. Those are family members leaving," Pryor shared.
The coalition will host an in-person "Launch & Learn" seminar on February 24, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. MT at the Coronado Country Club in El Paso. The event will bring together industry professionals, academic leaders, and government representatives to explore partnership opportunities, workforce development, and regional strategies for growing Texas' space sector. Registration is open to stakeholders across the space and aerospace value chain.
Following a successful inaugural conference in November 2024 that connected 150 industry, academic, and government leaders, the coalition is now expanding its regional ecosystem model to other Texas communities with aerospace ambitions. "We're an equal-opportunity helper," Pryor noted. "Space is about looking up—to the stars and to big ideas. There's no better place to pursue them than Texas."
The coalition's work has significant implications for Texas' economic future and technological competitiveness. By creating integrated ecosystems that connect educational institutions with industry needs, the initiative addresses critical workforce development challenges while fostering innovation. This approach could serve as a model for other regions seeking to develop high-tech industries without losing local talent to established hubs. The emphasis on cross-border collaboration with New Mexico institutions further enhances regional economic integration and resource sharing.
For businesses, academic institutions, government agencies, and economic development organizations interested in space ecosystem development, more information is available through the coalition's website at TxSpaceCoalition.org. The full interview with Mike Pryor discussing the coalition's mission is available on The Building Texas Show's YouTube channel.
