Senator Bennet Brings Aerospace Bus Tour to Space Foundation

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) brought more than 50 aerospace executives, university and K-12 officials and government leaders to the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 30, for a tour and presentations on Colorado’s space economy, with a particular focus on its military roots.

The stop was part of a day-long “Front Range Aerospace Bus Tour” Bennet is hosting with the Space Foundation, Ball Aerospace, United Launch Alliance and Lockheed Martin.

“Our aerospace industry boasts a breadth and depth of expertise that is an integral part of our state’s economy,” Bennet said. “By showcasing the unique assets that make our aerospace economy tick, this tour will help boost collaboration among leaders from across the business, education and government sectors.”

“Colorado is known nationally and internationally as being at the cutting-edge of space-related endeavors,” Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham said. “We are committed to helping our state maintain this leadership position by ensuring that officials across the public, private and educational arenas in Colorado have a deep understanding of our state’s unique assets and opportunities. This tour helps us achieve that.”

The tour was intended to advance regional cooperation and highlight key facets of Colorado’s vibrant aerospace economy and included presentations by the Space Foundation, Boeing, ITT Exelis, BraxtonTechnologies, Northrop Grumman and Honeywell, followed by a tour of the new Space Foundation Discovery Center, a space, science and technology attraction.

Other stops on the tour included Ball Aerospace in Boulder, and United Launch Alliance in Centennial.

Tour participants also included: Congressman Ed Perlmutter; Congressman Mike Coffman; Chris Melcher, city attorney, Colorado Springs.

Pictured: Senator Michael Bennet (center) speaking at the Space Foundation, with Tony Przybyslawski, a senior vice president with The Boeing Company in Colorado (left).