Astroscale U.S. is officially planting its flag in El Paso, teaming up with the University of Texas at El Paso’s Aerospace Center to take on some of the thorniest problems in on‑orbit satellite servicing. The company plans to base a permanent team and workspace at the City of El Paso’s Innovation Factory near the airport, backed by a city‑approved economic development agreement. The move pairs a leading satellite‑servicing company with UTEP’s growing advanced manufacturing and aerospace capabilities.
As reported by KFOX, Astroscale announced the expansion Thursday and said it chose El Paso because of the region’s rising commercial‑space profile. The company says it will “maintain a permanent employment presence and workspace at the City of El Paso’s Innovation Factory near the El Paso International Airport.” Local officials are pitching the agreement as another building block in a broader regional aerospace ecosystem.
Ron Lopez, president of Astroscale U.S., called the partnership a natural fit, saying “UTEP and El Paso are a great match for Astroscale U.S.” and pointing to the area’s leadership in space‑systems research and support for national‑security missions, according to KFOX. UTEP Aerospace Center Executive Director Shery Welsh added, “We are thrilled to partner with Astroscale U.S., a global leader in satellite servicing and on-orbit sustainability,” the outlet reported.
What Astroscale Will Do In El Paso
Under a contract with the UTEP Aerospace Center, Astroscale will work alongside faculty and students to push forward research in flight dynamics, autonomy and space‑domain awareness. The projects will tap into the center’s sensors, robotics and spacecraft‑development labs, giving students a front‑row seat to real‑world space hardware and software work.
Those efforts tie directly into Astroscale’s existing in‑orbit programs, including its LEXI‑P life‑extension servicer and Provisioner refueler, which highlight the company’s need for hands‑on manufacturing and testing partners. Astroscale U.S. says it is also working with U.S. suppliers and research partners to speed delivery of its services to both government and commercial customers.
Economic Development And Jobs
Astroscale plans to move into space at the City of El Paso’s Innovation Factory, an airport‑backed incubator that offers subsidized workspace to manufacturing and aerospace tenants. The Innovation Factory is part of the airport’s business program and ties into the city’s broader Advanced Manufacturing District strategy. Earlier this year, the City Council adopted a new advanced‑manufacturing incentive policy to support that push. Details on the program and incentives are available from El Paso International Airport and the City of El Paso.
Why El Paso?
El Paso has been steadily courting space‑sector investment, and local advocates have been working to put the city on the aerospace map. The Texas Space Coalition and events such as Space Tech El Paso have promoted the region’s potential, listing both Astroscale and UTEP among advisory partners. The Texas Space Coalition notes that cross‑sector collaboration sits at the heart of the strategy.
Astroscale says its El Paso expansion strengthens ties with U.S. government customers, including support for work with the United States Space Force and NASA, and builds on supplier relationships in Texas, such as with the Southwest Research Institute. More information on those programs is available from Astroscale U.S.
UTEP and city officials say the new partnership will translate into hands‑on research and job opportunities for students and local engineers as Astroscale scales up its presence. Specifics on hiring and timelines are expected once the company settles into the Innovation Factory and kicks off joint projects with UTEP.
