SWIFT – The Space Workforce Incubator for Texas launches
by Leon Vanstone and Geoff Tudor
Austin TX (SPX) Dec 14, 2024
The Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT) proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking SWIFT Rocket Program, part of an innovative statewide initiative aimed at propelling Texas to the forefront of the aerospace industry. As part of its inaugural effort, SWIFT announces that it is awarding grants to the Rice Eclipse Rocket Team and the Texas A and M Rocket Engine Design Team to advance their cutting-edge rocket design and development projects. By fostering collaboration between student rocket organizations, postsecondary institutions, and industry leaders, SWIFT sets a new standard for aerospace education and workforce development as it quarterbacks Texas’ space workforce training ecosystem – connecting high schools, community colleges, universities, and industry to eliminate duplication, maximize resources, and unleash untapped talent into this sector that is experiencing literal rocket speed growth. SWIFT is currently garnering statewide partner interest. More information can be found at www.swiftrocket.org and on LinkedIn.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the SWIFT Rocket Program reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of aerospace pioneers. Through this program, student teams gain access to state-of-the-art resources, mentorship from industry experts, and invaluable hands-on experience in designing, fabricating, and testing advanced rocket technologies. For decades, Texas has embodied ambition, innovation, and resilience. Now, as the world transitions into a new era of space exploration and technology, SWIFT is positioning the Lone Star State as a global leader in space workforce development. The program’s mission is clear: to create a Texas-driven space workforce capable of filling 50% of the new jobs in the U.S. space industry.
“SWIFT isn’t about duplicating what’s already being done – it’s about uniting and amplifying the incredible talent and institutions that are already in Texas,” said Dr. Leon Vanstone, Vice President of SWIFT. “SWIFT doesn’t build rockets; it builds the people who build rockets. And through SWIFT, we’re aligning the unmatched educational and industrial power of Texas to ensure we dominate the future of space exploration.”
“Texas has always been a pioneer in space exploration,” said Geoff Tudor, President of SWIFT. “With SWIFT, we’re not just participating in the space race; we’re leading it. Together, we are turning the Lone Star State into the center of the universe.”
A Vision for Workforce Excellence
McKinsey and Company expects the global space economy to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. This new economy will drive unprecedented demand for skilled talent. Texas is uniquely positioned to meet this demand, with a rich tapestry of K-12 STEM initiatives, high school rocketry programs, and leading university engineering pathways. However, SWIFT identifies critical gaps in accessible aerospace training and testing opportunities that must be addressed to fully realize Texas’ potential. While existing programs at institutions like Rice University, Texas A and M, Texas State Technical College, San Jacinto Community College, and many more excel in developing talent within their ecosystems, SWIFT’s approach transcends institutional boundaries. By establishing shared resources – such as state-of-the-art rocket engine testing facilities – and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, SWIFT ensures that the pipeline to aerospace careers is accessible to talent from all backgrounds. SWIFT’s ultimate goal is not just to produce engineers but to create a diverse, adaptable, and highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of forward-looking organizations in the space economy.
“SWIFT serves as the bridge connecting all of these amazing groups,” said Geoff Tudor. “Beyond that, we are committed to reaching students wherever they are. By partnering with organizations like DreamScopes, which bring hands-on space science programs to K-12 students, we aim to inspire the next generation of space leaders and establish a pipeline of talent into our great Texas educational institutions and beyond into the space industry.”
Building a Launch Pad for All Texans
Central to SWIFT’s mission is the creation of shared test capacity for rocket engine development, which will act as a hub for post-secondary institutions and a magnet for high school talent. This shared infrastructure will provide aspiring engineers with the hands-on experience necessary to excel in rocket systems, subsystems, and beyond. In doing so, SWIFT aligns its mission with the real-world needs of rocket companies and defense organizations that operate without geographic or institutional constraints.
“Just as rockets must be flight-qualified, so too must the people who build them,” Dr. Vanstone emphasized. “SWIFT ensures that the next generation of aerospace pioneers is equipped to meet this challenge.”
Through partnerships with institutions like Rice University and Texas A and M, SWIFT is also fostering immediate opportunities for innovation. These partnerships are only the beginning of a statewide expansion designed to make Texas the launch pad for the solar system and beyond.
A Collaborative Approach to Space Leadership
SWIFT is not just building a workforce – it is creating an entirely new model for interdisciplinary collaboration. The program integrates engineering, business, and national security fields, bridging student, academic, and industrial silos to position Texas as the nucleus of the global space economy.
“Rocket companies and future-focused organizations require talent from all walks of life,” Dr. Vanstone emphasized. “SWIFT is committed to meeting students where they are and equipping them with the skills they need to excel in tomorrow’s space economy.”
A Call to Action
SWIFT’s vision is bold, achievable, and essential. We call upon Texas’s world-class educational institutions, innovative industries, and ambitious students to join us in shaping the future of space exploration. Together, we can ensure that the Lone Star State becomes the launchpad for the next generation of aerospace pioneers. As the Texas Governor declared, “Those who reach for the stars will do so from the Lone Star State.” The SWIFT Rocket Program is only the beginning. By empowering student teams like the Rice Eclipse Rocket Team and the Texas A and M Rocket Engine Design Team with critical funding, resources, and mentorship, we are laying the foundation for Texas to dominate the global space economy. But SWIFT’s mission goes beyond financial support. SWIFT is committed to providing access to cutting-edge training, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and the guidance of industry experts to ensure Texans from every background can reach for the stars.
Related Links
SWIFT
Microsat News and Nanosat News at SpaceMart.com
