CAPITAL OF SPACE INNOVATION CENTER
Where the new Space Economy Takes Off
Greater Washington is strapping in to lead the New Space Economy
MEET The Capital of Space
Space is no longer the exclusive playground of governments and research labs. Thanks to private launch providers driving the price of orbit from about $60,000 per kilogram in the 1980s to roughly $150 today, a new space economy is taking off—and it’s moving fast. Connected DMV’s Space Capital Innovation Center is seizing this moment to anchor Greater Washington at the heart of the boom, uniting industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and investors to build the partnerships, talent, and infrastructure that will propel humanity’s next giant leap.
What lies ahead goes far beyond satellites and telecom. Think in-space manufacturing that forges materials impossible to make on Earth, microgravity laboratories pushing the frontiers of medicine, resource extraction from asteroids and lunar regolith, and a permanent web of orbital stations, transport hubs, and refueling depots. These once-futuristic concepts are rapidly becoming commercial realities, and Greater Washington—home to world-class universities, cutting-edge federal agencies, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem—is uniquely positioned to lead as the capital of space.
Space is a $1 Trillion Industry in the making
The stakes are enormous. The global space market, valued at about $600 billion today, is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040. In 2021 alone, the U.S. space economy generated $211.6 billion in gross output, contributed $129.9 billion to GDP, and supported 360,000 private-sector jobs. Factor in commercial contracts and government procurement, and that figure rises to roughly $370 billion.
Greater Washington intends to capture a decisive share of this growth—fueling new companies, new careers, and new discoveries that will define life on Earth and beyond.
Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, spoke passionately about the Greater Washington region’s potential to lead in the global space economy at Connected DMV’s Space Summit in 2024.
The Capital of Space Innovation Center is a Launchpad for the New Space Economy
Born from Connected DMV’s proven center-driven model, the Space Capital Innovation Center is establishing Greater Washington as a global leader in the booming space economy.
We bring together the unmatched assets of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia—federal space agencies, top universities, aerospace giants, and a deep bench of policy and tech talent—to drive innovation, growth, and international collaboration.
Our Approach
Our center-driven methodology fosters trust, opens doors to vital partnerships, and continuously develops valuable content and programming rich in real-world insights.
The Impact
Through its work as a physical and programmatic hub, The Capital of Space Innovation Center will attract significant regional investment, generate high-paying jobs, shape vital policy and standards, and accelerate technological breakthroughs that enhance national security and influence humanity's future in space.
A Launchpad for the next giant leap
The Space Capital Innovation Center’s work is defined by a simple ambition: transform Greater Washington into the beating heart of the new space economy. We do it by convening the right people, forging durable partnerships across borders and sectors, and giving innovators the physical and intellectual runway to turn bold ideas into orbit-ready ventures.
The CENTER’s WORK
The Future of Space Launches Here
With unparalleled access to policymakers, industry giants, and research powerhouses, Greater Washington isn’t just participating in the space economy—it’s leading the charge.
What Sets This Region Apart
KEY FEDERAL AGENCIES DRIVING U.S. SPACE POLICY: Greater Washington is home to the nation’s top space-focused federal agencies, shaping the future of space exploration, security, and commercialization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Goddard Space Flight Center (Maryland) & Langley Research Center (Virginia)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Space Weather & Satellite Operations
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) – Space-based intelligence and surveillance
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation – Regulating private sector space launches
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Space Bureau – Licensing satellite communications & orbital traffic management
Space Development Agency (SDA) – Advancing military space capabilities
Office of Space Commerce – Coordinating U.S. commercial space policy
INDUSTRY LEADERS & AEROSPACE INNOVATORS: Some of the world’s most influential space and defense companies call the DMV home, driving next-generation spacecraft, satellite technology, and defense innovations including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, MAXAR Technologies, Orbital Systems, and The Aerospace Corporation.
CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH & ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP: Greater Washington is home to some of the nation’s top research institutions, advancing space science, engineering, and workforce development, including: the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and Howard University.
Advisory Council
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Nina Albert
Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
District of Columbia -
Preston Dunlap
CEO
Arkenstone Ventures -
Victor Hoskins
President & CEO
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority -
Sean Knierim
Co-Founder
SidePorch -
Raphael Roettgen
Founding Partner
E2MC -
Pallabi Saboo
Founder
Harmonia Holdings -
Clayton Swope
Deputy Director
Aerospace Security Project
CSIS -
Andrew Tabler
Partner
K&L Gates -
Elsayed Talaat
President and CEO
USRA -
Jacqueline Tame
Operating Partner
Playground Global -
George Thomas
President & CEO
Connected DMV -
Paul Thomas
Global Lead, Space Technology
Accenture -
Kevin Toner
Vice President
Center for Govt Effectiveness & Modernization
MITRE -
The Aerospace Corporation
Representative to be Confirmed
-
Boeing
Representative to be Confirmed
-
NASA
Ex-Officio
-
Rolls Royce
Representative to be Confirmed
Our Partners
We're working with partners across industry, academia, the public sector, and network organizations to ensure that the new space economy can be built, accelerated and scaled. The works starts now.
Join us to Shape the Future of Space
If you work in space or a space-adjacent industry and want to get involved in the Capital of Space Innovation Center, contact us now and let us know you want to join the work to build the Capital of Space right here in Greater Washington.