BlackStar Orbital Lands in Sierra Vista: Building Spaceplanes at Our Airport

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Space has always felt far away, until now. Sierra Vista is officially on the map for the next generation of space technology with BlackStar Orbital choosing our municipal airport as home base for its new $7.1 million spacecraft manufacturing and test facility.

By 2026, this project is expected to bring at least 50 high-wage aerospace jobs right here to our city. That’s not just a headline, it’s a huge deal for our community, our local economy, and for families looking for stable, future-focused careers in Southern Arizona.

What BlackStar Orbital Does 

BlackStar Orbital isn’t building just another satellite. Their flagship project, the SpaceDrone, is part spaceplane and part satellite bus. Think of it as a reusable “drone for space” that launches like a small satellite, conducts missions in orbit like earth observation, communications, or defense ISR, then returns to Earth and lands on a runway for refurbishment and reuse.

Instead of burning up in the atmosphere like most satellites, the SpaceDrone glides home, gets a tune-up, and is ready to fly again. It’s like taking the best parts of satellites, UAVs, and the space shuttle, and mashing them into one modular platform.

Why Sierra Vista

In January 2024, the Arizona Commerce Authority announced Sierra Vista Municipal Airport as the chosen site for BlackStar’s 45,000 square foot complex with 25,000 square feet of hangar space. That means room for up to 15 spacecraft per year once operations ramp up.

On March 18, 2025, BlackStar signed a letter of intent with the City of Sierra Vista to occupy airport land with apron access, tying their future directly to ours. City leaders and state partners have been clear, this is about positioning Sierra Vista as part of Arizona’s growing space economy.

Spaceport Reentry Ambitions


Here’s the kicker. Sierra Vista isn’t just hosting a facility. The city is also pursuing an FAA Spaceport Reentry Site License, aiming to become one of the few places in the entire country where spacecraft can legally land. If approved, we could be the first such site in the western United States.

That pairs perfectly with BlackStar’s model. The SpaceDrone needs a runway, not a launch pad, to return to Earth. And our airport is ready.

Space as a Service

BlackStar isn’t just selling hardware. They’re talking about offering “space as a service.” That could mean leasing out reusable satellites for connectivity, weather monitoring, defense missions, or research. Customers get their payloads back quickly thanks to the runway landing and rapid turnaround.

This mix of commercial and defense capability has a familiar ring here in Sierra Vista. It’s innovation aimed at supporting both national security and private industry something our community understands deeply with Fort Huachuca in our backyard.

Local Impact

Let’s zoom back down from orbit. What does all this mean for Sierra Vista families?

It means over 50 new high-paying jobs in aerospace engineering, manufacturing, and operations. A $7.1 million investment into our airport and city infrastructure. It positions Sierra Vista as a national leader in space reentry operations. And it expands opportunities for veterans and tech talent already rooted here.

For a city that’s built its identity on defense and technology, this move connects us to the ultimate high ground, space itself.

Timeline at a Glance

2023: BlackStar emerges from stealth, revealing the SpaceDrone concept.
January 2024: Sierra Vista announced as the site for a new spacecraft facility.
March 2025: Letter of intent signed with the City to build and operate at the airport.
2026: Target date for full operations and at least 50 aerospace jobs.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about space. It’s about jobs, opportunity, and putting Sierra Vista on the national stage. When companies like BlackStar Orbital pick our airport, it proves what locals already know—our workforce, location, and community are built for big things.

So the next time you look up at the stars, remember: some of the technology flying up there might be built just down the road at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport.

Call to Action

Want to stay plugged into Sierra Vista’s growth, both in real estate and in our community? Subscribe to the Home Base Sierra Vista Blog for more local updates, market trends, and stories that matter to our city.

📱 Questions about moving to Sierra Vista or investing here? Call or text me anytime at 520-481-2909.


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Location: Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

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