The next level of Oklahoma’s

Oklahoma State UniversityTulsa’s Helmerich Research Center (HRC) hosted a ribbon-cutting at the LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobility on Friday, where OSU and partners – Tulsa Innovation Labs and the Osage Nation – attended the celebration. The LaunchPad Center will support the research and entrepreneurship of advanced air mobility (AAM). The LaunchPad Center will help with development of aviation technologies including unmanned aerial systems and new air transportation.

“A key pillar of Oklahoma State University’s strategy is leading in aerospace and aviation

Aerospace And Aviation

innovation, but we know our success is shared success,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum. “This is why we are so excited about our strategic partnerships with NASA, Tulsa Innovation Labs, and Osage LLC, an Osage Nation enterprise. Additionally, the U.S. Economic Development Administration recognizes that taking Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation to the next level has national benefits, and we appreciate the agency’s critical support.”

The LaunchPad Center will include state-of-the-art research and development laboratory assets in the HRC, emphasizing the campus’ strategic location, educational connections and industry partnerships.

“Aviation is entering its third ‘golden age’ and the LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobil- ity is on the cusp of translating research into significant industry advancements,” said Jamey Jacob, executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), director of the Counter-UAS Center of Excellence and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at OSU. “OAIRE and the creation of the LaunchPad Center under the OAIRE umbrella will bridge the gap between early stage research and applied technology, deploying developments to improve industry, the economy and to move the research tied to aviation and space forward.”

Jennifer Hankins, deputy managing director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, said the company was excited for the introduction of LaunchPad.