NM seeks more space work

generated data from space to offer communications and information processing and analysis.

“It’s a huge industry with many opportunities that New Mexico businesses can build on, not just the large aerospace contractors that have traditionally focused on government contracts,” Weger said. “We need to get out in front to be market makers, because there’s a lot of competition in other states.”

New Space NM’s advisory team reflects the broad diversity of capabilities and opportunities in New Mexico. It includes a range of private businesses in engineering, manufacturing, software development, and new types of service firms, such as Santa Fe-based Descartes Labs, which uses proprietary data analysis technology to turn satellite-based feeds into useable information for public and private customers. A range of government entities are also involved, including the AFRL and other national labs, local and state economic development agencies, aides from New Mexico’s congressional delegation, and leaders from the state’s three research universities and Central New Mexico Community College.

Advisory board participation remains open as the leadership continues to recruit more space-related companies and entities, DeRaad said. Leaders are especially focusing on software development firms, because there’s a lot of money pouring into that side of the industry.

“Hardware is the traditional side of the industry,” DeRaad told the Journal. “But there are so many software applications and opportunities, and we want to aggressively build on that as well.”