Hypersonic systems manufacturer opens sixth US factory to boost output

US aerospace and defense company Ursa Major opened a facility in Longmont on August 20 to take over production of spacecraft avionics and in-space propulsion systems. The facility can accommodate more than 125 employees. Moving this work from the company’s Berthoud headquarters will also create more manufacturing room there for liquid rocket engines, hypersonic systems, and solid rocket motors. New facility adds clean rooms and testing capacity The Longmont site includes dedicated welding and manufacturing laboratories, an environmental testing lab, an ISO 7 hard-walled clean room, and an adjoining ISO 8 gowning room. ISO clean-room classifications specify the permitted concentration of airborne particles within a controlled space. Such environments are used while manufacturing and handling hardware that must be protected from contamination. Ursa Major said the site will consolidate production of its avionics and integrated in-space propulsion systems. The latter include propellant tanks, thrusters, and complete propulsion packages that allow spacecraft to maneuver after reaching orbit. Avionics, meanwhile, are used across the company’s portfolio of propulsion and defense systems. “We’re opening this Longmont facility because the demand is here now. Avionics run through every system we build, and our in-space propulsion delivers maneuverability on orbit faster than the legacy supply base can,” said Chris Spagnoletti, CEO, Ursa Major. Expansion frees space for engines and missiles Transferring production and support functions to Longmont will open additional floor space at Ursa Major’s Berthoud headquarters. The company plans to use that capacity for liquid-engine manufacturing, vehicle integration, and all-up-round assembly. Programs expected to benefit include its Hadley and Draper liquid rocket engines, the HAVOC Missile System, and its expanding solid rocket motor portfolio. “Moving that work here also opens the floor in Berthoud for liquid engines, vehicle integration, and solid rocket motors the warfighter is asking for at rate. Ursa Major continues to expand to ensure our service members and customers have the capabilities they need when they need it,” Spagnoletti added. The opening follows the first phase of a wider manufacturing expansion completed in March. That phase increased Ursa Major’s machining capacity, expanded its additive manufacturing operations, and added solid rocket motor test-stand activity. Ursa Major grows to six US sites Colorado Governor Jared Polis joined customers, employees, local officials, and industry partners at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Ursa Major’s expansion in Longmont highlights Colorado as a global leader in aerospace and defense,” said Governor Polis. “We are thrilled to see this innovative company grow and succeed in our state, bringing thousands of high-quality jobs for Coloradans that will strengthen our economy and drive even more businesses to call Colorado home,” he added. Longmont becomes Ursa Major’s sixth US location. The company now operates three Colorado sites in Berthoud, Longmont, and Galeton; two Ohio sites in Youngstown and Boardman; and an office in Washington, DC. Its latest expansion divides production between specialized facilities as the company works to increase deliveries across its space and defense programs. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Atharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.