SPACE · RESEARCH COMMERCIALIZATION
Advanced Space selected Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory to provide two flight-qualified Iris Radios and related communications, navigation and timekeeping technology for NASA’s CAPSTONE 02 mission. Launch is targeted for late 2027.
DEFENSE · AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Bluffdale-based Vector announced that it was selected as a top-performing competitor in the federal Drone Dominance Program and is scheduled to receive orders for up to 5,000 unmanned systems. The company also received orders for its high-voltage electronic safe-and-arm device and says an initial Phase II order is already in hand.
AEROSPACE · DEFENSE
Northrop Grumman opened East Gate 3 in Layton to expand manufacturing capacity for the B-21 Raider. The broader East Gate campus includes approximately 845,000 square feet and has capacity for 1,500 employees by 2032. The opening came alongside expansion plans from KIHOMAC, Moog and GMRE that together project 316 new high-paying jobs and approximately $52 million in capital investment.
AEROSPACE · DEFENSE
Salt Lake City-based CycloKinetics selected Venus Aerospace to test CycloRP, its higher-density drop-in replacement for conventional RP-1 and RP-2 rocket fuels. Initial hot-fire testing successfully demonstrated combustion in a rotating-detonation rocket engine.
SPACE · INFRASTRUCTURE
At its August 21 meeting, Utah’s Spaceport Exploration Committee reviewed the new National Space Transportation Policy and a site-assessment and economic-impact study.
DEFENSE · COLLABORATION
CenCore launched the Integrated Warfighter Ecosystem from its new 55,000-square-foot Payson facility, bringing together roughly 150 companies—including 15 from Utah—to pursue complex defense and intelligence work collaboratively.
SPACE · ECOSYSTEM
The 40th annual Small Satellite Conference opened at the Salt Palace for four days of technical sessions, exhibits and industry meetings focused on the technologies behind modern satellite constellations.
AEROSPACE · WILDFIRE
Baxter Aerospace is testing its third Dragonfly prototype and building a fourth at its St. George facility. The company says the 80-pound unmanned aircraft is designed to stream infrared imagery over long-duration flights, including at night when manned firefighting aircraft are grounded.
AEROSPACE · DEMONSTRATION
The Utah Department of Transportation launched its uFLY initiative with an Ampaire hybrid-electric EEL flight from Salt Lake City to Cedar City on August 6. uFLY is one of eight partnerships selected for the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
