SCRANTON — For businesses in Northeast Pennsylvania, the potential to work with NASA continues to expand as NASA programs grow.
In Pennsylvania, 63 companies are currently working with NASA and its Artemis I Space Program as it prepares to send humans once again to the moon and beyond.
NASA’s Jim Reuter and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright are on a mission to increase that number tenfold.
“I’ve worked with NASA for 40 years and I don’t think there’s every been a more exciting time than now,” said Reuter, NASA’s associate administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, during last week’s NASA Northeast Pennsylvania Industry Day at the University of Scranton.
NASA is targeting an Artemis I liftoff “which is a major step forward in this new era of human deep space exploration,” Reuter told attendees at the first regional business-building and networking event meant to pair local companies — big and small — with opportunities to work with NASA and other space tech firms.
“The Artemis I launch is the next step in NASA’s goal to establish the first long-term presence on the moon,” Reuter said. “The next giant leap will be sending the first astronauts to Mars.”
Reuter said the partnerships NASA establishes with regional businesses help create new possibilities while benefiting American innovation.
“We go to space, but our money stays here,” he said.
Cartwright, D-Moosic, said he is convinced Pennsylvania is poised to become a space technology state.
Cartwright chairs the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds NASA.
“Space travel sparks unprecedented research and innovation,” Cartwright said. “But perhaps, most importantly, it inspires our young people to pursue careers in technology and helps to create wealth.”
The NASA Business and Industry Day included 15 buyers from NASA and related industries and more than 40 small businesses from the region.
During the afternoon’s one-on-one matchmaking sessions, businesses were paired with multiple buyers from NASA and related industries. Over the course of the afternoon, more than 150 individualized matchmaking sessions took place.
In addition to fostering economic development, the event also proved inspirational for area educators.
“This is a wonderful opportunity not just for area businesses,” said Susan Spry, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Luzerne County Community College. “It’s a great event for the local education community. We are focused on preparing our students for the jobs of the future and events like today demonstrate they have a path to the stars.”
Jeffrey Box, president and CEO of the NEPA Alliance PTAC, added, “We couldn’t be more pleased with today’s event. This would not be happening without the support of Congressman Cartwright and his staff, and we thank him for making this event a reality.”