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OAOA Recognizes OCAP Recipients
SWO’s New Terminal Available in 2026
(Stillwater, OK) – Stillwater Regional Airport will enhance flight amenities and options in 2026 through a new 31,375 sq. ft. new terminal that is officially under construction following the groundbreaking ceremony October 1. Federal, state and local officials gathered, along with community leaders and representatives from the aviation community, Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines to mark the occasion.
“We are elated to be celebrating this monumental development with everyone and for the opportunity to bring a world-class terminal to Stillwater,” Airport Director Kellie Reed said. “We extend our gratitude to American Airlines for eight years of commercial service in Stillwater and we look forward to many continued years of that partnership.”
American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris said American Airlines wants to see its eight-year partnership with Stillwater Regional Airport continue to grow. The airline wants to provide the right services for the passengers and to ensure OSU, the community and businesses continue to flourish, he said.
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce addressed the project’s significance to the community and its impact on economic development. The new terminal is the product of many years of effort, he said. The larger terminal will allow Stillwater to increase flight operations and continue to grow the region from which travelers flying in and out of Stillwater Regional Airport are drawn.
Having commercial air service in Stillwater has a significant impact on business and on Oklahoma State University for recruiting staff and students. The new terminal will only enhance that impact, Joyce said.
“It’s hard to overstate how big of a game-changer this is for us,” he said. “We’re so excited and so appreciative of all those who have made an effort to make this happen and are continuing the effort.”
ODAA Director Grayson Ardies emphasized the project’s statewide impact. "The groundbreaking of Stillwater Regional Airport’s new terminal is a significant milestone for Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industry as a whole,” Ardies said. “This 31,000-square-foot facility will not only support the growth of air transportation for Stillwater but also contribute to our statewide efforts to enhance connectivity and foster economic development. By investing in infrastructure like this, we're ensuring that Oklahoma remains at the forefront of aviation innovation, meeting the needs of travelers and businesses alike.”
OSU Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray said Stillwater Regional Airport is critical not just for OSU’s fast-growing aviation program, but for accessibility for the university as it continues to grow and for OSU athletics.
Congressman Frank Lucas also touched on the connection between Stillwater Regional Airport and Oklahoma State University. The university, community and state will all benefit from continued growth and development of the airport, he said.
“Let us not forget, this is a continuing process to expand the potential of this community and of our comprehensive university,” Lucas said. “It’s not just the access to the world that our athletic department needs; it’s the access to the world that our research department needs. It’s the ability of people to come to Stillwater easily, conveniently and quickly to do their business.”
Funding for the $27 million project is provided from partners including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and the City of Stillwater.
Stillwater Regional Airport is one of only four airports in the state to offer scheduled commercial passenger air service. The new terminal replaces a building constructed in 1952 that was retrofitted for the launch of commercial air service in 2016.
Offering modern facilities with concession space and two gates, the new terminal will serve Stillwater and the surrounding region for decades to come.
“The (new) terminal was beautifully and mindfully designed with both aviation and local Stillwater influences included from the McFarland Architects team,” Reed said.
Phase I of the project consists of the new terminal building, parking lot, and a 4-lane drop off. Further roadway improvements will be in Phase II. Completion of the terminal is expected in August 2026.
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Left to right: Pistol Pete; American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris; Stillwater Regional Airport Director Kellie Reed; Congressman Frank Lucas; Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce; Oklahoma State University Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray; Stillwater Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski; Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director Grayson Ardies; and Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett. |
Additional event pictures are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSA9.
First U.S. ‘Runway-to-Space’ Challenge for Spaceplane Payload Test Flights, Flying from Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport
BURNS FLAT, Okla. — The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), in partnership with Dawn Aerospace, is proud to announce the opening of applications for the Runway-to-Space Spaceplane Challenge. This first-of-its-kind U.S. competition invites researchers to fly payloads aboard Dawn’s Aurora suborbital uncrewed spaceplane operating out of the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport (formerly Oklahoma Air and Space Port).
The program will allocate up to 25 flights, offering selected teams an opportunity to test, iterate, and re-fly experiments. Unlike traditional suborbital missions that are usually single-use and spaced months apart, the Aurora is designed for rapid, runway-based operations with turnaround times measured in hours. This shift brings spaceflight closer to an aviation-like model, enabling new mission profiles ranging from step-by-step microgravity research to high-speed atmospheric testing.
“This partnership underscores Oklahoma’s commitment to being a leader in the aerospace industry,” said Grayson Ardies, CEO of OSIDA. “By utilizing the unique capabilities of the Aurora Spaceplane, we are providing our universities and research centers with a rapid-response platform to accelerate American innovation in space.”
The Next Era of Space Testing
The Aurora has completed more than 60 operational missions, focusing on routine, scalable, and responsive access to the edge of space.
“Meaningful access to microgravity typically means going to orbit, which is expensive, slow, and often out of reach for early-stage ideas,” said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. “Aurora changes that by giving teams a fast, lower-cost way to access microgravity and iterate within months. It’s not a substitute for long-duration missions, but it enables experiments that would otherwise never leave the ground, turning ideas that might never have flown into viable missions that can ultimately progress to orbit.”
Jim Bridenstine, managing partner of The Artemis Group and former NASA administrator, added: “This competition is about capturing the imagination of scientists, engineers, and researchers, while also enabling a new way of working, where research can move faster, iterate more frequently, and strengthen U.S. leadership in space-enabled science and industry.”
Competition Details:
- Eligibility: As an Oklahoma-funded challenge, the program is designed to foster collaboration led by Oklahoma institutions. Applications must be submitted by an Oklahoma-based university or research institution. Out-of-state universities and research institutions are encouraged to join as partners.
- Key Dates: Applications open April 16, 2026 and close 5 PM CT Sept. 25, 2026.
- Payload Capacity: Capacity for up to 15 kg (33 lbs).
- Flight Profile: Altitudes approaching 100 km, speeds exceeding Mach 3.5, and up to 127 seconds of microgravity.
- Timeline: Flights are scheduled to begin in mid- to late-2027, allowing teams about 12 months to prepare payloads.
Strategic Growth at Infinity One
The competition coincides with critical improvements to infrastructure and utilities at the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport. The ongoing $30+ million worth of upgrades and renovations will prepare the facility for future growth and success. OSIDA has also invested in the deployment of an automated detect-and-avoid system for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and will soon begin construction on a dedicated space operations complex for the Aurora spaceplane.
For more information or to apply for the Runway-to-Space Spaceplane Challenge, please visit dawnaerospace.com/runways-to-space-spaceplane-challenge
