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Keystone Space News

Keystone Space in the News

Astrobotic CEO John Thornton Closes Out Keystone Space Conference with Speech on Failure and the Future

John Thornton walked the audience through the failure of the Peregrine moon lander and how lessons learned are helping the company prepare to try again.

Keystone Space Launches Innovation Challenge to Provide Early Stage Funding to Space Companies

The initiative will award a total of $200,000 in its first round, with hopes to expand beyond Pennsylvania.

How Pittsburgh Could Help Lead America’s Dominance in Space

Around 13,000 jobs in Pa. are already tied to the aerospace industry, but more are coming.

Keystone Space Joins in Launch of PA Aerospace Day

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined representatives from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and Keystone Space Collaborative to kick off the first-ever Aerospace Day at the Capitol to highlight the opportunities in the aerospace and aviation industries in Pennsylvania.

Pitt has joined the Keystone Space Collaborative to bolster out-of-this-world research

Pitt recently joined the Keystone Space Collaborative with a sponsorship of $20,000. 

2023 Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awards recognize region’s top leadership

Congratulations to our very own Justine Kasznica and Jeremiah Leiter for being recognized on the Pittsburgh Smart 50 list! The Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awards recognize the top executives of the smartest companies in the Greater Pittsburgh region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations.

Industry report shows 'more work to do' to increase tri-state region's space-based economy

One of the main takeaways from a new industry report on the tri-state area’s space-based economy shows there are a number of improvements the region can make to become more competitive in this sector nationally. But that shouldn’t negate all the progress that’s been made over the past few years.

Editorial: Keystone Space District is a (moon)shot in the arm for Pittsburgh

With problems from serious questions about safety and leadership in the City of Pittsburgh to discouraging job losses around Allegheny County, many feel pessimistic about southwest Pennsylvania. But the announcement of the Keystone Space and Defense Innovation District should remind Pittsburgh’s people and leaders of the tremendous resources the region has to offer.

Industry stakeholders, Gainey, Lee unveil plans for Keystone Space and Defense Innovation District

A panel of industry executives and government officials, including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, unveiled a master planning process Thursday for the Keystone Space and Defense Innovation District, a proposed space and defense industry cluster to be located on the city’s North Side.

Gainey, Rep. Lee and others celebrate liftoff of Space and Defense Innovation District in North Side

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, local U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and others celebrated the formal launch of a new Space and Defense Innovation District that’s been established in a portion of the city’s North Side.

Private space stations take shape amid new space exploration era

The Keystone Space Collaborative’s latest effort could be game-changing, as it partners with Sierra Space to construct a private space station.

Governor Shapiro Proposes New Investments in Innovation & STEM Education at Pittsburgh-Based Astrobotic Technology

Today, Governor Josh Shapiro toured Astrobotic Technology, a state-of-the-art aerospace and robotics company in Pittsburgh, to highlight Pennsylvania’s growing innovation economy and his commitment to creating jobs and spurring innovation in our Commonwealth.

Growing a new space economy for our region

One of the first tasks of the Pittsburgh-based Keystone Space Collaborative was commissioning a market report to tally up all the tech companies and organizations from across the region — Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia — which are receiving funds from NASA or space-related grants from the Department of Defense.

Keystone Space Collaborative Partnering Up With United States Air and Space Force

A new partnership between the United States Air and Space Force, and Keystone Space Collaborative is set to take place. 

Liftoff: U.S. Space Force Launches National AFWERX Hub In Pittsburgh's North Side

Pittsburgh’s relevance in the broader national space industry is reaching new heights and the U.S. military is responding.

Space Force Opens Pittsburgh Hub to Boost Regional Space and Tech Industries

Nearly four decades after the collapse of the steel industry, the Pittsburgh region has emerged as a growing technology hub in the fields of robotics and life sciences.

Our Region's Business - Keystone Space Collaborative

Pittsburgh’s first-ever space convention kicks off on the North Shore

Participants from across the space industry, including NASA administrator Bill Nelson, gathered in Pittsburgh on April 20 to attend the Keystone Space Collaborative Inaugural Conference and witness the unveiling of the Peregrine Lunar Lander at Astrobotic

Building a space industry in the Steel City

Pittsburgh may soon be known for its space expertise rather than as the city of bridges. Justine Kasznica, Board Chair of the Keystone Space Collaborative believes the region’s strengths in life sciences, robotics and autonomy would complement, rather than compete, space industry clusters in other parts of the country.

Astrobotic unveils hardware from never-before-seen spacecraft in Pittsburgh

History was made at the Keystone Space Collaborative Inaugural Conference as Astrobotic unveiled hardware from the Peregrine Lunar Lander.

Keystone Space Collaborative concludes Inaugural Conference in Pittsburgh as region’s role in future extraterrestrial exploration grows

As Pittsburgh becomes a hub for all things space, the Keystone Space Collaborative continues to work hard toward its initiatives to further define priorities, drive its strategic plan and make space more accessible to those who wish to share an interest in it.

Keystone Space Collaborative Receives $250,000 Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation

The RKMF grant will be used to fund Keystone Space Collaborative operations and programs, which will include hiring a Program Director, publishing a regional space ecosystem map and industry report, convening a regional space industry council to drive strategy, and more.

Could Pittsburgh be a space tech hub? Three innovators make the case.

Representing Pittsburgh-based space company Astrobotic, Keystone Space Collaborative Board Chair Justine Kasznica spoke on a panel discussion surrounding local technology and accessibility.

Keystone Space News

A Pittsburgh-built lander is headed to the moon

The first lander headed to the Moon since the Apolllo missions is right here in Pittsburgh. Unveiled at the Keystone Space Inaugural Annual Conference, the Peregrine lander is anticipated to make its journey this fall.

Emerging Tech Law Podcast Series: Keystone Space Collaborative Conference

Jonathan Kersting talks with Board Chair Justine Kasznica about the 2022 Keystone Space Inaugural Annual Conference on the Babst Calland Emerging Tech Law Podcast Series.

Astrobotic lunar lander on track for late 2022 launch

At the 2022 Keystone Space Inaugural Annual Conference, attended by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other agency officials, Astrobotic showed its Peregrine lander that it plans to send to the Moon on the first United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur launch in late 2022.