Oklahoma took another major step toward becoming a national hub for commercial spaceflight Tuesday as the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), and state leaders joined Dawn Aerospace to break ground on a new mission control facility and spaceplane hangar at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat.
The $7.5 million project, funded through an appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature, includes a 5,000-square-foot mission control and operations facility and a 10,000-square-foot hangar to accommodate Dawn Aerospace’s reusable, rocket-powered Aurora spaceplane. The development will establish dedicated facilities for the company’s planned operations in western Oklahoma.
“Today represents a turning point for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport,” said Grayson Ardies, CEO of OSIDA and executive director of ODAA. “For years, we’ve talked about Oklahoma’s potential in commercial spaceflight. Now we’re putting that potential into motion. Dawn Aerospace is bringing a fundamentally different approach to reaching space, one that uses a conventional runway rather than a traditional rocket launchpad. That’s exactly the kind of innovation we want to attract to Infinity One.”
Dawn Aerospace plans to begin flying its full-performance Aurora spaceplane from Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in 2027. The company has completed 64 Aurora test flights, and in 2024, the aircraft broke the sound barrier and established a world speed record of 118.6 seconds to an altitude of 20 kilometers (approximately 66,000 feet) from a runway.
Unlike traditional launch vehicles, Aurora is designed to operate much like an aircraft, taking off and landing on conventional runways while using rocket propulsion to reach extreme altitudes and speeds. The rapidly reusable spaceplane is being developed to enable frequent, lower-cost access to suborbital space for microgravity and scientific research, space technology testing, target presentation, and other high speed and high-altitude applications.
Unlike traditional rockets, Aurora can be flown again within hours, enabling science and learning to be dramatically accelerated. This has attracted customers such as California based Astral Materials, a pioneer in advanced semi-conductors, who are booked to do up to 100 flights on Aurora in 2028 from Infinity One Spaceport.
“Oklahoma has built a reputation as a state where businesses can thrive, and Dawn Aerospace is a great example of what happens when we work together to turn opportunity into investment,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “It’s been an honor to be part of this effort since our first conversations with Dawn in 2024. To go from those initial discussions to breaking ground in Burns Flat is a testament to Oklahoma’s pro-business approach and our commitment to helping innovative companies succeed.”
For western Oklahoma, the project brings a new commercial spaceflight activity to an established aviation site and could create opportunities for businesses and workers as operations develop.
“When people think about the future of the space industry, they might picture Florida or Texas. But some of the most exciting opportunities are taking shape right here in western Oklahoma,” said State Representative Nick Archer. “Having a company like Dawn Aerospace establish operations in Burns Flat puts our region on the map in an entirely new way. It’s an opportunity to bring new business, attract talent, and show what rural Oklahoma can contribute to a global industry.”
“Oklahoma has always been a state that understands aviation, from the pilots who train here to the skilled technicians who keep aircraft flying,” said State Senator Paul Rosino. “What’s exciting about Dawn Aerospace is that it’s taking something we’re already good at and applying it to an entirely new frontier. These spaceplanes will use runways, aviation expertise, and technologies that connect directly to Oklahoma’s strengths. That’s why this is an opportunity worth pursuing.”
“Aurora is designed to change the economics of spaceflight by making it possible to fly more frequently, with aircraft-like operations and rapid reusability,” said Stefan Powell, CEO and Co-Founder of Dawn Aerospace. “To make that possible, we need more than a runway. We need a place where we can prepare the aircraft, manage missions, and support our customers. Oklahoma offers a unique combination of capabilities and partners who understand what we’re trying to achieve. This facility is a major step toward bringing that vision into service.”
Expected to be completed in fall 2027, the new 15,000-square-foot development will include dedicated mission control, avionics and payload workspaces, a flight simulation office, conference rooms, and supporting operational areas. The adjoining hangar will accommodate the Aurora spaceplane and provide space for aircraft preparation and maintenance activities.
