Space Workforce 2030 Builds on Success, Partnership in Second Year

2nd Annual Report Released; Congress Recognizing National Space Day

[Colorado Springs, Colo., April 8, 2024] Mel Stricklan, the recently appointed Executive Director of Space Workforce 2030 (SWF2030), released the organization’s second annual report today at Space Symposium, and highlighted the successes SWF2030 had in 2023. Heather Pringle, CEO of SWF2030 partner organization, Space Foundation, announced that there is bilateral and bicameral support from Congress for a Congressional Resolution honoring National Space Day.

Established in 2022 with the commitment to grow the nationwide pipeline of talent for the space industry, the SWF2030 consortium includes 29 of the country’s leading space companies. Notably, the annual report includes workforce data from all SWF2030 companies, aggregated to show trends in hiring and retention across a large sample of the U.S. space industry. The data released today shows several topline results:

• Meaningful increases in the percentage of both women and People of Color (POC) in the technical staff.
• Meaningful increases in the percentage of both POC interns and intern hires.

Some of the most notable increases were in the percentage of POC in technical positions at SWF2030 companies – rising from 32.7% to 34.1% in 2023. There was also an increase over 2023 in the percentage of intern conversions who are people of color, from 42.7% to 46.4%. Full results and the complete annual report can be found at swft.space.

All SWF2030 member companies shared their workforce data in the first two years, and the aggregated data is shared publicly each year at the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This transparency creates a unique view of industry demographics, informing strategies for sustained growth and inclusivity.

“Our annual report shows that we are making progress across our industry,” said Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director of Space Workforce 2030. “But it also reminds us that there is more work to be done to grow the pool of talent that is excited, qualified, and cleared to work in space. Maintaining our U.S. leadership position in the competitive arena of space necessitates confronting the critical and growing shortage of technical and other key skills within the space industry.”

SWF2030 is addressing the industry’s need for talent through programs that reach current and prospective employees, interns, graduate and undergraduate students, and even students in grades K-12. In just its first two years, SWF2030 has had significant success in each of these areas: welcoming the first two summer cohorts of National Space Interns in 2023 and 2024, establishing national business/employee resource groups, and bringing the wonder of space into classrooms nationwide on National Space Day this spring.

“The most gratifying element of Space Workforce 2030 is seeing each member company step up to take a meaningful role in this effort,” said Steve Isakowitz, CEO of The Aerospace Corporation and founder of SWF2030. “The companies and executives that have signed on to be a part of this consortium deserve deep praise for their collaboration and commitment to a robust future workforce for the space industry.”

This spring, Space Workforce 2030 will host its first annual National Space Day on May 3, a nationwide broadcast event open to all 4th and 5th grade students in the U.S., designed to inspire their generation to pursue STEM studies and a career in the space industry. This initiative will expand in coming years, growing to reach students from kindergarten to college, and SWF2030 has already worked with Senators from Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) and members of the California Aerospace Caucus to obtain Congressional recognition of National Space Day.

“We are pleased to announce that Senators Shaheen (D-NH) and Moran (R-KS) and Representatives Calvert (R-CA) and Lieu (D-CA) have come together across both parties and houses to introduce a Congressional Resolution honoring National Space Day,” said Heather Pringle, Chief Executive Officer of Space Foundation. “National Space Day captures the significant positive impact that the space community has in the United States, and it will make an important contribution to the ongoing initiatives that SWF2030 will champion, as we address the critical talent gap facing our industry.”

About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About The Aerospace Corporation
The Aerospace Corporation is a national nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center and has more than 4,600 employees. With major locations in El Segundo, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the Washington, D.C. region, Aerospace addresses complex problems across the space enterprise and other areas of national and international significance through agility, innovation, and objective technical leadership. For more information, visit www.aerospace.org. Follow us on X: @AerospaceCorp.

Media Contacts:
Rich Cooper, Space Foundation, (202) 596-0714, [email protected]
Dianna Ramirez, The Aerospace Corporation, (310) 341-6222, [email protected]