The Oklahoma Air and Space Port is preparing for a major milestone this week as New Zealand-based spaceplane developer Dawn Aerospace arrives to advance collaboration with local aerospace officials and industry stakeholders. The visit marks a significant step forward in Oklahoma’s ambitions to become a national leader in commercial spaceflight and suborbital research.
The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) will host Dawn Aerospace at both the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat and the Oklahoma State Capitol from 10–15 November 2025. The visit includes public briefings, technical discussions, and media opportunities designed to highlight the state’s growing role in global aerospace innovation.
Media Days Scheduled at Spaceport and State Capitol
A media day will take place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, featuring a community briefing at 10:30 a.m. and a media Q&A session at 2:00 p.m. in the large conference room at the Burns Flat spaceport. Individual media interviews will follow from 3:30 p.m., available by appointment through [email protected].
A second, shorter session is planned for Thursday, 13 November, at the Oklahoma State Capitol from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. in Room 206.
The event aims to provide both the public and industry professionals with insight into Dawn Aerospace’s technology and operations. The company’s engineers have travelled from New Zealand to share details of their spaceplane design and mission objectives, while also working on final design preparations for potential operations at the Burns Flat facility.
“Dawn Aerospace engineers will arrive this week from New Zealand to share insights about their aircraft and mission at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port and to work on final designs,” organisers said. “While in Oklahoma, the company will also meet with the Oklahoma Department of Aeronautics (ODAA) and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to ensure that key stakeholders have a clear understanding of their progress, operations, vehicle capabilities, and future opportunities for suborbital flight and research.”
A Strategic Role in the United States Space Network
The Oklahoma Air and Space Port, managed by OSIDA, is one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the United States and the first inland, landlocked site of its kind. The authority’s mission focuses on two pillars — managing the Burns Flat spaceport and promoting the wider growth of Oklahoma’s aerospace and space economy.
The spaceport itself is well-equipped to support experimental and commercial spaceflight activity. It boasts a 13,503-foot all-weather concrete runway, one of the longest in North America, with 1,000-foot asphalt overruns on each end. The site also features a secondary 5,193-foot runway, a manned air traffic control tower, Instrument Landing System (ILS) capability, and a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) providing Jet-A fuel and full aircraft services. Nearly 100 acres of paved surface are available for parking and storage, with further expansion capacity across its extensive industrial park infrastructure.
Supporting Infrastructure and Industry Growth
The adjoining industrial park offers a range of assets including roads, utilities, high-speed fibre optic connectivity, and water/wastewater systems, alongside land and buildings for lease or development. Amenities such as a restaurant, nine-hole golf course, and a Comanche County Health Services medical clinic further enhance the site’s operational ecosystem, reflecting its evolution into a comprehensive aerospace and business hub.
Beyond infrastructure, Oklahoma’s wider aviation and aerospace industry is a powerful economic force. The state hosts 1,100 aerospace-related companies, generating nearly $44 billion annually. The industry divides into three key sectors: military aviation and defence ($19.3 billion), off-airport aerospace businesses ($13.9 billion), and 108 commercial and general aviation airports ($10.6 billion).
Together, these segments support 206,000 jobs, including 120,000 direct positions with an average annual salary of $73,300. The state also counts 10,000 licensed pilots and 5,700 registered aircraft, with 95 per cent of residents living within 30 minutes of a jet-capable airport — highlighting Oklahoma’s deep-rooted aerospace infrastructure and skilled workforce.
Oklahoma Positions Itself as a Global Aerospace Partner
The collaboration between Dawn Aerospace, OSIDA, and ODAA underscores Oklahoma’s strategic push to attract international aerospace innovators. By aligning with companies developing reusable and sustainable flight systems, the state aims to leverage its FAA-licensed infrastructure to facilitate advanced testing, commercial launches, and suborbital research.
As preparations at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port continue, officials view the visit as more than a technical exchange — it represents a defining moment in the state’s progression toward a leadership role in next-generation space-enabled transportation.
The media day on 12 November at Burns Flat is expected to draw industry leaders, local officials, and journalists eager to witness the partnerships shaping Oklahoma’s emerging role in the global commercial space sector.
