Four cities, including Houston, are joining forces to form an international network that will focus on the growth of aeronautics, space and astronomy.

What we know

The organization known as Space Cities Network announced the launch of its formation Oct. 20 during the IInternational Congress and Convention Association conference in Abu Dhabi last week.

According to a following news release, the new international alliance is designed to increase collaboration across the space sector encompassing universities, research centers, government agencies, industries and corporations.

The first four cities to join Space Cities Network include:
  • Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Houston, United States of America
According to the network's website, Houston was chosen due to the city's strategic location and robust infrastructure.


Put in perspective

The Houston region is home to the NASA Johnson Space Center and the Houston Spaceport. The city also includes space-focused organizations such as the Greater Houston Partnership's Aerospace Committee, Axiom Space, Venues Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.

In the last year, Community Impact has reported several space related projects coming to Houston, including:
  • A new development at Johnson Space Center called Exploration Park, which will be home to research and testing for future space travel
  • Launching the Artemis missions intended to take astronauts around the moon in 2025
  • Creating a new space station named Gateway anticipated to launch in 2025
  • Texas A&M building a new $200 million space institute at Johnson Space Center that will host the world's largest simulated lunar and Mars surfaces
“Space is the mirror of humanity and of our community—a quest for tomorrow," Space Cities Network Co-Chair Gerald Howard said. "A world of exploration and innovation impacting a future that needs support and guidance. Our community, working collectively with space experts can be one of the keystones of it, and the Space Cities Network is there to help facilitate that."

Space Cities Network anticipates the space economy to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.


More details

Each city within the network will be supported by its associated destination marketing organization. According to the news release, Houston will be supported by the Houston First Corporation.

Houston First is charged with finding ways to reinforce and increase the city's space community by attracting international space conferences and related events to Houston.

“Houston is proud to join this international network, leveraging our rich history in space exploration to drive innovation and collaboration across the global space sector,” Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation, said. “As a hub for cutting-edge research and industry, we are committed to fostering partnerships that will propel the future of aeronautics and space.”