Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | Official Website
Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | Official Website
Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University has announced the establishment of southern New Mexico’s first co-innovation hub for NewSpace Nexus. The announcement was made during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on October 17 at Arrowhead. This hub will be located within Arrowhead Center's SPACE Incubator, which brings together startups and support providers from space, agriculture, and clean energy sectors.
Dana Catron, interim director and CEO of Arrowhead Center, highlighted the significance of this development: “This moment represents more than just a new location; it’s a powerful testament to the synergy between New Mexico’s rich history of innovation and the boundless potential of the global space industry.”
The collaboration with NewSpace Nexus aims to foster clean energy solutions, expand the space economy frontiers, and serve as a platform where entrepreneurship can flourish. “NewSpace Nexus embodies the very spirit of what this incubator stands for,” Catron said. She expressed appreciation for NewSpace Nexus’ partnerships with various stakeholders including entrepreneurs who are advancing space technologies.
At the event, officials also announced receiving an award from the Small Business Administration for a Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. This will help further local entrepreneurial initiatives in science and technology fields.
Scott McLaughlin, executive director of NMSA, expressed excitement about this collaboration: “As Spaceport America works toward supporting orbital launches and orbital reentry, we need a full space ecosystem in the region to support those customers. This collaboration aids greatly in that effort.”
Following the ceremony, members of The Pathway to the Stars Leadership Council convened at Arrowhead Center. Participants included representatives from NMSU, Doña Ana Community College, among others.
Casey Anglada DeRaad, founder and CEO of NewSpace Nexus stated: “We are excited about reaching the southern section of our ecosystem and working with collaborators in industry...to assure a space-ready workforce.”
NewSpace Nexus has been instrumental in advancing New Mexico's space innovation since its inception in 2019 by launching various programs such as forums and conferences related to the space industry.
The organization is also rolling out Pathways to the Stars initiative aimed at developing talent through programming and career services within the space sector.
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