Rocket Engine Testing Facility Plans To Open In Tulsa By 2027

We're learning more about a rocket engine testing facility that will be built in Tulsa.

It could open in 2027 and attract other space-related companies.

A company called Agile Space Industries says it wants to build the facility at an industrial site owned by the airport.

The company expects its decision to build will also attract other space-related businesses.

Pictures show what Agile Space plans to build, duplicating a similar facility it operates in Colorado. It will be used to test chemically fired rocket engines for satellites.

“The purpose of it is to test rockets that operate in space, but for the City of Tulsa, it's also to attract industry to come here because companies from across the country are going to have to come here to test and tune their thrusters, so it becomes a hub, a central node of a rocket park,” said Jim Bridenstine, a consultant with Artemis Group.

The site covers 20 acres on 36th Street North, near the Amazon distribution center at the airport.

Agile CEO Chris Pearson says the company must expand to meet the demand for testing rocket engines.

“We've saturated the capacity that we have there, so we're expanding into Oklahoma so that we can do that testing for outside customers as well.”

The company estimates it will spend $36 million to build and start up the testing facility. A $20 million state incentive, funneled through the city, and another $5 million through an airport-area tax district will offset part of the cost.

“The biggest issue we have is talent,” Pearson said. “Tulsa also has a rich history in aerospace and defense, and a pool of talent in the MRO aviation community and oil and gas that we can tap into.”

Agile Space says employees can expect high wages in an industry that's expected to keep growing for many years.

The city and state incentives are approved, and the company expects to break ground next summer.