Astroscale U.S. is officially planting its flag in El Paso, teaming up with the University of Texas at El Paso’s Aerospace Center to take on some of the thorniest problems in on‑orbit satellite servicing. The company plans to base a permanent team and workspace at the City of El Paso’s Innovation Factory near the airport, backed by a city‑approved economic development agreement. The move pairs a leading satellite‑servicing company with UTEP’s growing advanced manufacturing and aerospace capabilities.
As reported by KFOX, Astroscale announced the expansion Thursday and said it chose El Paso because of the region’s rising commercial‑space profile. The company says it will “maintain a permanent employment presence and workspace at the City of El Paso’s Innovation Factory near the El Paso International Airport.” Local officials are pitching the agreement as another building block in a broader regional aerospace ecosystem.
Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S., called the partnership a natural fit, saying “UTEP and El Paso are a great match for Astroscale U.S.” and pointing to the area’s leadership in space‑systems research and support for national‑security missions, according to KFOX. UTEP Aerospace Center Executive Director Shery Welsh added, “We are thrilled to partner with Astroscale U.S., a global leader in satellite servicing and on-orbit sustainability,” the outlet reported.
What Astroscale Will Do In El Paso
Under a contract with the UTEP Aerospace Center, Astroscale will work alongside faculty and students to push forward research in flight dynamics, autonomy and space‑domain awareness. The projects will tap into the center’s sensors, robotics and spacecraft‑development labs, giving students a front‑row seat to real‑world space hardware and software work…