Oklahoma space authority seeks $25 million to attract reusable launch and related industry facilities

The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) told the Senate subcommittee it is seeking a one‑time $25 million appropriation to support rapid business development, site readiness and capital investments at Burns Flat and other state space assets.

Executive director Craig Smith described the funding as a ‘‘rapid development, quick action’’ pool to secure facilities and prepare sites when potential tenants or companies present time‑sensitive opportunities. Smith cited a reusable, unmanned space‑capable vehicle developer (testimony identified Dawn Aerospace as a company in the Burns Flat space market) and said funds would support hangars, payload processing facilities, engine test stands and other infrastructure to make sites shovel‑ready for recruitment and retention.

Smith and other witnesses said earlier ARPA and other federal funds have been used for some work at the spaceport, but this request is intended to create a capital pool that allows OSIDA to act quickly when opportunities arise. The authority said it coordinates with the Department of Commerce on recruitments and with the Department of Aeronautics on pavement and taxiway needs.

Lawmakers asked whether OSIDA duplicates Commerce incentives; OSIDA said it collaborates with Commerce and the ACES (Aerospace and Defense) team while noting the authority has a specific mission to develop space assets and sites. The subcommittee did not act on the request and asked OSIDA to continue coordinating with Commerce and provide project details for any planned uses of the fund.