Aegis Aerospace and Texas A&M University are teaming up to launch a new research facility on the International Space Station (ISS).   The Texas A&M / Aegis Aerospace Multi-Use Space Platform Integrating Research & Innovative Technology (TAMU-SPIRIT) facility will exclusively house the university’s experiments, serving as a dedicated hub for in-space research, technology testing, advanced materials manufacturing, robotics development, space surveillance and tracking.   “As a space-grant university, Texas A&M has led the way in space research and exploration for decades,” said General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M University, in a news release. “Now, thanks to our partnership with Aegis Aerospace and support from Chancellor Sharp and The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, the TAMU-SPIRIT Flight Facility will pave the way for Aggie researchers to push the boundaries of space innovation. Our research is already out of this world; it’s fitting that we’re making it official.”  Texas A&M will host an open call for research proposals every six months to select experiments for TAMU-SPIRIT, inviting researchers from diverse disciplines to submit their ideas. Selected experiments will be transported in individual science carriers, equipped with power and data storage, and robotically installed on the facility. Once completed, experiments will return to Earth for further analysis, offering insights into the effects of space exposure on various materials and technologies.  Webster-based Aegis Aerospace will own and operate the TAMU-SPIRIT facility, providing funding, supplies and services to support Texas A&M’s experiments in reaching the ISS.  “This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for Texas A&M to do something bold,” said Stephanie Murphy, CEO and Chairman of Aegis Aerospace, in a statement. “As far as I am aware, TAMU-SPIRIT will make Texas A&M the first university with private access to a flight facility on the International Space Station.”  The TAMU-SPIRIT is expected to take two years to develop and will be modeled after Aegis’ MISSE Flight Facility, a platform launched in 2018. The first Texas A&M-led experiments are scheduled for launch in 2027.  The university is also establishing its own Space Institute near NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a state-of-the-art research and training facility supported by the Texas Space Commission. The Texas A&M Space Institute, which broke ground last year, is slated for completion late next year.  Learn more about Houston’s thriving aerospace industry. 

William P. Hobby Airport has officially broken ground on its $470 million expansion project aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.  The project will expand and modernize the airport’s West Concourse, originally built by Southwest Airlines in 2015. Planned upgrades include seven new gates, an advanced baggage-handling system, additional baggage claim carousels, and an overhead canopy along the departure curb to protect passengers from inclement weather while connecting the terminal to the parking garage.  “This expansion isn’t just about adding more gates—it’s about enhancing every aspect of the passenger experience,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, in a statement. “As North America’s first and only 5-Star Skytrax airport, it’s essential for Hobby Airport to offer facilities and services that match our world-class reputation. Partnering with Southwest Airlines on this project allows us to create a truly remarkable experience for all travelers.”  Click to expand Southwest Airlines remains a major player at Hobby Airport, accounting for over 90 percent of its flights in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Earlier this year, Southwest halted operations at Houston’s larger George Bush Intercontinental Airport to focus its Houston operations solely at Hobby.  “Since our first year of service in 1971, we’ve operated nonstop at Hobby Airport. It’s a cornerstone market for us, serving as a base for our flight crews and as a gateway city to our international service,” said Steve Sisneros, Vice President of Airport Affairs at Southwest Airlines, in a statement. “This expansion marks an exciting time for our future here, allowing us to grow our service and reach even more customers.”  Click to expand Slated for completion in 2027, the expansion will also support future growth as both Hobby and Bush airports continue to see record-breaking passenger numbers, welcoming 60.1 million travelers last year, an increase of six million from 2022.   Bush Airport is also undergoing its own expansion, having recently unveiled the new international Terminal D, which adds 160,000 square feet to its facilities. The project features six new gates, space for 16 dining concepts, and enhanced amenities such as a mother’s room, sensory room, children’s play area, upgraded restrooms, lounge seating and art installations.  Learn more about Houston’s airports at the Partnership’s State of the Airports event on Dec. 5, 2024.