Arizona Space Rising is a collaborative community accelerating growth across Arizona’s space ecosystem.

In 2025, Arizona positioned itself as a leader in the space economy, driven by federal, state, and community leadership.

Logo for Space OPS with a white silhouette of a rocket launching, cactus plants, and stars, with the words "All Things Space" at the top and "SPACE OPS" at the bottom.

F E D E R A L

Space Ops, a nonprofit intermediary serving Arizona, accelerates federal collaboration and funding opportunities across the state.

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ARIZONA SPACE COMMISSION

S T A T E

The Arizona Space Commission, appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs and the state Legislature, develops and advances strategies that promote and expand space, aeronautics, and aviation across Arizona.

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Logo with stylized 'A' and the word 'SPACE LAB' in white on a black background.

C O M M U N I T Y

AZ Spacelab, LLC strengthens Arizona’s space brand and broadens opportunities for engagement across the state’s growing space community.

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M I S S I O N F O R W A R D

S P A C E
C O M M U N I T Y


Provide faster access to connections, opportunities, and collaborations

S T E M
+ J O B S


Prepare the next generation of space-ready talent through accelerators and workforce pathways.

P A R T N E R E D
I N N O V A T I O N


Enable technology transfer and collaboration across federal, state, and industry partners.

R E S E A R C H
F A C I L I T I E S


Expand laboratories and research infrastructure statewide.

E N E R G Y
T E C H


Champion nuclear propulsion and next-gen energy solutions to grow space innovation.

ARIZONA SPACE COMMISSION

Appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona Legislature in 2025

  • A smiling middle-aged man wearing a light purple button-up shirt with his arms crossed, standing against a plain gray background.

    Grant Anderson

    President and CEO
    Paragon Space Development Corporation

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  • Smiling man with short dark hair wearing an orange collared shirt, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Jim Bell

    Regents Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University

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  • Close-up of a middle-aged man with short gray hair and a beard smiling, wearing a black shirt.

    Jim Cantrell

    CEO and Co-Founder
    Phantom Space Corporation

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  • A smiling woman with long, wavy red hair, wearing a black top and a light-colored textured blazer, standing in front of a blurred background with red and yellow stripes.

    Megan Fitzgerald

    Senior Director
    Government & Community Relations
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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  • A woman with curly brown hair wearing blue glasses and a red blazer, smiling against a white background.

    Erika Hamden

    Director
    University of Arizona Space Institute

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  • A woman with shoulder-length, wavy brown hair, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, smiling with a blurred neutral background.

    Shawn Linam

    President and CEO
    Qwaltec, Inc.

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  • Professional headshot of a smiling man in a suit with a red tie against a gray background.

    Michael McGuire

    Adjutant General
    Arizona National Guard

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  • A smiling man with a bald head wearing a navy blazer over a white patterned shirt standing against a light gray background.

    Brett Mecum

    President
    Cadmus Public Affairs

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  • A woman with long, curly brown hair wearing a black blazer sitting in an office with large windows.

    Lisa Morris

    Vice President Supply Chain
    Virgin Galactic

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  • A man with light brown hair smiling, dressed in a suit and tie, outdoors with blurred natural scenery in the background.

    Len Munsil

    President
    Arizona Christian University

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  • A man in a dark suit, light blue shirt, and light blue tie, standing in front of a plain light-colored wall.

    Douglas Nichols

    Mayor
    City of Yuma

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  • A man with glasses and a goatee wearing a navy blue checked suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, smiling against a gray background.

    Michael Vargas

    Strategic Partnerships Lead
    Air and Space STEM Outreach Office
    Griffiths Institute

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  • A middle-aged man with dark hair, wearing glasses and a suit, smiling at the camera in an industrial setting.

    Steven Zylstra

    President and CEO
    Arizona Technology Council

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SPACE RISING ALLIANCE

Space leaders driving the execution of the 2026 Arizona Space Rising signature event.

  • Omar Alam

    RF Systems Engineer: Blue Origin

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  • David Ariosto

    Global Space Journalist + Author

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  • Paul Comrie

    Creative Director: PC3 Creative
    Luxembourg Liaison

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  • Mitch Culp

    Director
    Space Ops

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  • Lisa Godzich

    EPCOR, USA

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  • Alexander Karim

    Space Ops

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  • Karyn MacVean

    Arizona Commerce Authority

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  • A woman with long, curly brown hair wearing a black blazer sitting in an office with large windows.

    Lisa Morris

    Vice President Supply Chain
    Virgin Galactic

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  • Brooke Owen

    Space Industry Strategic Partnership and Outreach Manager
    Nextage, LLC

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  • Dean Simms

    Program Manager
    Plug & Play

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  • Andrea Soto

    Director
    Space Ops

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  • Jonathan Stratton

    Director
    Space Ops

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  • Taryn Struck

    Co-Founder I CEO
    AZ Spacelab, LLC

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  • Tim Struck

    Co-Founder I CDO
    AZ Spacelab, LLC

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  • Colleen McLeod Garner

    Marketing & BD Capture Manager
    Paragon Space Development Corporation

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SUMMIT WORKING GROUP

Space leaders driving the execution of the 2026 Arizona Space Rising

Omar Alam:
Blue Origin

David Ariosto
Space Journalist

Paul Comrie:
PC3 Creative + Luxembourg Liaison

Mitch Culp:
Space Ops

Lisa Godzich:
EPCOR, USA

Alexander Karim
Space Ops

Karyn MacVean:
Arizona Commerce Authority

Lisa Morris:
Virgin Galactic

Brooke Owen:
Nextage, LLC

Dean Simms:
Plug & Play

Andrea Soto:
Space Ops

Jonathan Stratton:
Space Ops

Taryn Struck:
AZ Spacelab, LLC

Tim Struck:
AZ Spacelab, LLC

Colleen McLeod Garner:
Paragon Space Development Corporation