Yuma: Arizona’s Emerging Hub for Space Travel

By Matthew Holloway |

Yuma, Arizona, is positioning itself as a potential hub for the space industry, with plans to establish a new spaceport in the area. This initiative comes in response to growing demand from commercial launch companies seeking alternative sites to the crowded facilities in Florida, California, and Texas. Interim City Administrator Jay Simonton indicates that smaller firms are especially keen to find options for testing their equipment more readily.

“These smaller companies are needing to test their equipment. The market is dominated by the big guys, so they can’t get time or space to launch,” Simonton explained. The proposed spaceport would cater to these small rocket launches aimed at deploying commercial satellites for various research purposes.

Simonton highlighted Yuma’s strategic location, stating, “We are really close to the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a perfect location to launch solar polar orbits.” If realized, all launches would occur over these bodies of water, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

The presence of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground provides the city with a robust aeronautical infrastructure and controlled airspace, further enhancing its appeal as a potential spaceport location. Economic projections suggest that the new spaceport could create over 2,000 jobs and contribute approximately $2 billion to the local economy.

“You bring in those high-tech operations, that brings in high-tech jobs and higher paying jobs,” Simonton added, emphasizing the economic benefits of such a project. The city is currently pursuing an operating license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and seeking additional funding and investors for development.

Yuma’s efforts did not go unnoticed at the national level. The city is a finalist in the National Science Foundation Engines Program, competing with other Arizona cities for up to $160 million in funding over the next decade to support the spaceport’s construction.

Support for the project includes encouragement from Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat and former astronaut. Simonton noted positive discussions with Kelly, who expressed a keen interest in advancing the initiative.

Further illustrating the project’s momentum, Interorbital Systems recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yuma to conduct NEPTUNE orbital rocket launches from the future spaceport.

“It changes the way the world perceives us,” Mayor Doug Nicholls remarked about the project’s potential. He also acknowledged the need for collaboration with Mexican authorities to ensure the safe and responsible conduct of launches, which would travel over Mexican airspace.

As plans develop, Yuma is poised to emerge as a key player in the burgeoning space industry, reflecting a significant shift in local economic prospects.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.