Aerospace States Association- Colorado Chapter

21/08/2026

05/08/2026

2017 Thomas R. Hobson Awardee for Distinguished Aerospace Service

Joe Rice, Director State and Local Government Affairs. Lockheed Martin Space

Mr. Rice works primarily at the state and local level where LMS has business interests to facilitate relations with federal, state, and local governments as well as business, education, and community organizations.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in August 2011, Mr. Rice served two terms in the Colorado State Legislature from 2007-2010 as State Representative for House District 38. . He also previously served two terms as the Mayor of Glendale, Colorado, from 1996-2003.

Mr. Rice has over 32 years of military service, primarily in the United States Army Reserve. He currently holds the rank of Colonel and is in the Retired Reserve. Military service includes UN peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and five combat tours of duty in Iraq including serving as the Senior Military Officer facilitating establishment of the first democratically selected Baghdad City Council and subsequently as an advisor to both Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces on the streets of Baghdad. He is Airborne and Ranger qualified.

Mr. Rice is on the Board of the Colorado Space Business Roundtable and is active with the Colorado Space Coalition and Citizens for Space Exploration. He served on the Colorado Aeronautical Board, from 2015 to 2020, appointed by then-Governor John Hickenlooper.

(source: Linkedin)

01/08/2026

AMERICA TURNS 250- Colorado Statehood Day- 150 years of Statehood!!!

Colorado, admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876, as the 38th state and known as the "Centennial State," has long been a cornerstone of America's aerospace leadership. Home to one of the nation's largest aerospace economies, Colorado is a hub for civil, commercial, and national security space activities. The state is home to major aerospace organizations and companies including Lockheed Martin Space, Ball Aerospace (now part of BAE Systems), Sierra Space, United Launch Alliance(ULA), Blue Canyon Technologies, the North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD), and Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases. Colorado also supports world-class research through the NSF NCAR - The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and leading universities.

Colorado's aerospace legacy includes the launch of Explorer 1, America's first successful satellite, whose instrumentation was developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder under the leadership of Dr. James Van Allen, leading to the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts.

The Aerospace States Association proudly recognizes the outstanding leadership of former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, who served as National Chair of the Aerospace States Association. (Photo- Lockheed Martin Space)
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07/07/2026

Colorado’s leadership in aerospace is powered by brilliant students, researchers, and innovators who help push the boundaries of what is possible.

Congratulations to CU Boulder’s BioServe Space Technologies on being honored by NASA for decades of work supporting research aboard the International Space Station. This recognition is a wonderful reminder that Colorado is helping shape the future of space exploration while creating opportunities for students to learn, lead, and dream big.
https://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/cu-boulder-space-research-honored-nasa

30/05/2026

From Golden to the Moon! 🌕 Congratulations to Lunar Outpost on this incredible achievement! This NASA contract is a reminder that Colorado continues to lead in aerospace innovation and is home to some of the brightest minds and boldest innovators. The future of space exploration is being built right here in Colorado.

https://www.denverpost.com/2026/05/28/lunar-outpost-nasa-rover-colorado/

06/04/2026

Track the historic NASA Artemis II live...

02/04/2026

Colorado played a central role in sending NASA Artemis II on its journey around the Moon, and that’s something our entire state can be proud of 🚀

Over 200 companies across Colorado supported this historic milestone, demonstrating Colorado’s unparalleled Aerospace ecosystem! This work also connects a broad network of small businesses and suppliers, showing just how far that impact reaches.

When Artemis II launched, it didn’t just represent a milestone for space exploration, it reflected the strength of Colorado’s workforce, our innovation economy, and our continued leadership in aerospace.

It is a powerful example of how investing in industries like aerospace creates opportunity right here at home, from engineers and technicians to students preparing for careers in STEM. The Artemis II mission is historic for many reasons, including the first woman (Christina Koch) and first person of color (Victor Glover) assigned to a lunar mission. The four-person crew also includes Canadian Jeremy Hansen (first non-American) and Commander Reid Wiseman. This mission serves as an inspiration for everyone, no matter who you are, showcasing that there is space for everyone in space.

Colorado isn’t just watching the future of space exploration, we’re helping build it. And that work is creating jobs, supporting communities, and strengthening our economy every step of the way
Artemis II is inspiring a new generation, just as the Apollo missions did for me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. 💛🌎

25/03/2026

Colorado Aerospace Day 2026 was another success.