Why Houston?
Houston is the world’s leading hub for human spaceflight, commercial space, and aerospace innovation.
Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), a leader in human spaceflight, lunar exploration, and public-private space partnerships.
The city hosts over 500 aerospace and tech companies, including Intuitive Machines, the first company to land on the moon.
Texas A&M is developing the $200M Texas A&M Space Institute near JSC, featuring the world’s largest simulated lunar and Mars surfaces.
Exploration Park, a 240-acre site next to JSC, includes the Space Systems Campus, a research facility for aerospace and defense innovation.
Houston’s healthcare, energy, and aerospace sectors foster collaboration through forums like Pumps & Pipes and innovation hubs such as the ION District, Houston Exponential, and Texas Medical Center Innovation.
The region’s robust manufacturing and supply chains support cross-industry innovation.
Houston is pro-business and
pro-space.
Texas offers incentives, a low tax burden, a growth-friendly regulatory framework, and no state income tax.
The Texas Space Commission, established in 2023, promotes space innovation with $350M in funding, including the $200M Texas Space Institute near JSC.
Texas provides various incentive programs, such as the Texas Enterprise Fund, Enterprise Zone Program, Small Business Credit Initiative, and Skills Development Fund, with regional and municipal incentives available.
Houston’s low costs and access to capital attract startups, entrepreneurs, and companies seeking investment.
Texas Space Commission
The Texas Space Commission (TSC) was created to promote innovation in the field of space operations and commercial aerospace opportunities, including the integration of space, aeronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economy. TSC will cement Texas’ position as a national leader in the space industry and will secure its future in space exploration and development for the next generation of Texans.
ASCENDxTexas
ASCENDxTexas is an open summit bringing together a broad community of stakeholders from NASA, industry, academia, government, and private entities to help build connections into partnerships, and engage in continuous discussions on strategy, development, and implementation of our off-world exploration, national security, and commercial activities.
Houston has one of the largest international transport infrastructures on Earth, providing ready access to global markets through its multi-modal transportation infrastructure.
World-class port ranked #1 in the US for foreign tonnage.
Two international airports in the city.
Houston Spaceport, the only urban spaceport in the world.
One of the nation’s busiest rail centers with 800+ miles of track and 10 major rail companies.
Extensive interstate system with 12 major highways.
Central geographic location, equidistant to the US east and west coasts, and a gateway to Central and South America.
World-class supply chain infrastructure supporting efficient, cost-effective production and distribution.
Houston has proven space leaders, a top-tier educational system, a collaborative space ecosystem, and a large, skilled workforce.
Houston’s workforce includes 650,000 professionals in healthcare, energy, and aerospace, with nearly 60,000 engineers and 23,000 aerospace experts.
The region boasts a highly educated, diverse workforce, one of the most talented in the country.
Top-tier educational institutions include Rice University, University of Houston, University of Houston - Clear Lake, Texas A&M College Station, Texas A&M Galveston, University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine, San Jacinto College, and others.
Baylor College of Medicine Center for Space Medicine and UTMB offer the world’s only accredited space medicine and civilian aerospace medicine training programs.
Houston has excellent public and private K-12 schools.
Houston’s size, diversity, high quality of life, and low cost of living combine to create an environment where organizations and their people succeed together, fueling innovation and success at every level.
4th most populous city in the US.
Most ethnically and culturally diverse city in the country, with over 145 languages spoken.
Over 12,000 restaurants, 380 public parks, 165 golf courses, and 5 major sports teams.
Home to 150+ museums and cultural institutions, including Space Center Houston.
Home to the Houston Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.
