Greater Washington Stakes Its Claim as a Global Space Hub
Regional economic development leaders say the Greater Washington area is uniquely positioned to become one of the world’s leading centers for the space economy—combining federal agencies, research institutions, data infrastructure, and international connectivity in a single region.
During the panel “The Space Capital: Positioning Greater Washington at the Center of the Global Space Economy” at spaceNEXT 2026, officials from Maryland and Virginia outlined how the region is working collectively to attract space companies, grow emerging industries, and compete globally.
The discussion was moderated by Kieran Collinson of Connected DMV and featured Alicia Moran of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Narbeli Galindo of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Dave Diaz of Loudoun County Economic Development, and Bob Zhang of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Together, the panelists argued that the Washington region’s greatest advantage lies not in a single county or institution, but in the combined assets of the broader regional ecosystem.
A Region Built Around Space
Collinson opened the session by highlighting the scale of the Greater Washington space ecosystem.
Through the Connected DMV “Build Here” initiative, regional economic development organizations have mapped more than 200 assets across the region that support next-generation industries including space.
These include:
Over 100 federal laboratories
17 federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs)
Nine R1 research universities
Four NASA centers
One orbital spaceport
177 embassies providing direct access to global markets
“There’s no other region in the world where you can access this many federal labs, top research universities, and global diplomatic connections in one place,” Collinson said.
The goal of the initiative is to raise international awareness of the region as a hub where space companies can build, scale, and innovate.
Montgomery County: Talent and Life Sciences
Narbeli Galindo emphasized Montgomery County’s strengths in talent and scientific expertise, particularly at the intersection of life sciences and space technologies.
The county’s highly educated workforce is a major draw for emerging industries. According to Galindo, roughly 60 percent of residents hold bachelor’s degrees, and more than 30 percent hold graduate or doctoral degrees.
“That talent is part of our DNA,” she said.
Montgomery County’s economic development programs connect companies with universities, training programs, and workforce development initiatives to ensure businesses can scale quickly.
The county also offers incentives such as office-space grants and job creation funds designed to help new companies establish operations and hire local talent.
Howard County: Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
Bob Zhang highlighted Howard County’s role in securing the infrastructure that underpins the space economy.
Located between Washington and Baltimore, the county hosts the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)—a major contributor to space science missions—as well as proximity to the National Security Agency.
These institutions have helped create a robust cybersecurity ecosystem that Zhang said is increasingly critical as space becomes a pillar of global infrastructure.
“Space touches everything now—from defense to telecommunications to commercial services,” Zhang said. “That makes cybersecurity absolutely essential.”
Howard County also operates the Maryland Innovation Center, an incubator supporting nearly 200 technology startups and helping emerging companies commercialize new technologies.
Prince George’s County: NASA and Research Powerhouses
Prince George’s County brings one of the most recognizable assets in the global space industry: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
According to Alicia Moran, the center has been embedded in the community for more than six decades and employs thousands of scientists, engineers, and contractors.
“NASA Goddard is really the heartbeat of our space ecosystem,” Moran said.
Beyond its direct workforce, the center plays a critical role in developing the next generation of space talent through partnerships with University of Maryland, Bowie State University, community colleges, and regional schools.
The county also supports space startups through incentive funds, venture partnerships, and international business initiatives aimed at connecting companies with global markets.
Loudoun County: Data Infrastructure and Space Commercialization
Loudoun County brings a different but equally critical asset to the regional space ecosystem: the world’s largest concentration of data centers.
Dave Diaz explained that the county currently hosts more than 50 million square feet of data center capacity, with millions more under construction.
That infrastructure—along with the fiber networks and energy systems supporting it—makes Loudoun a natural partner for emerging space industries such as satellite communications and space-based data processing.
“Most jurisdictions in the world are trying to attract data centers,” Diaz said. “We’re actually trying to slow them down.”
The county is now working to diversify its technology base by attracting space and satellite companies, particularly along Northern Virginia’s growing Route 28 technology corridor.
Loudoun also offers fast-track permitting programs, available development land, and non-dilutive financial incentives designed to help companies move quickly from planning to operations.
Collaboration Across State Lines
While each county brings its own strengths, panelists repeatedly emphasized that regional collaboration is the key to global competitiveness.
Historically, economic development organizations across the Washington region operated independently. But leaders say that dynamic is changing as jurisdictions recognize the value of presenting a unified front.
“We’re in a stage of what I call ‘coopetition,’” Diaz said. “We’re still competing in some ways, but we’re collaborating much more than we ever have before.”
Initiatives such as Connected DMV and the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance are helping counties coordinate branding, attract international investment, and share resources.
The shift reflects a growing recognition that global companies don’t view the region through county boundaries.
“They just want to know where they can find the talent, the partners, and the infrastructure they need,” Diaz said.
A Global Gateway for the Space Economy
Panelists also highlighted the region’s unique role as the international diplomatic center of the United States, home to embassies, global organizations, and major federal agencies.
That international connectivity could make Greater Washington a gateway for global space partnerships.
“This region is incredibly strong,” Moran said. “When we work together, we can help companies find the best place to succeed across the entire ecosystem.”
As the global space economy continues to grow, regional leaders believe the Washington area’s combination of government expertise, private innovation, and collaborative infrastructure could make it one of the most influential space hubs in the world.
And increasingly, they say, the region is beginning to market itself that way.
