AirStrato air-robot to start the flight tests in New Mexico

Today, ARCA SPACE CORPORATION CEO Dumitru Popescu and Governor Susana Martinez announced the start of ARCA SPACE Corporation activity in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This activity will include the production and flight tests of AirStrato UAS and Haas rocket series at ARCA’s new facilities from Las Cruces Airport.

The company will invest $1.2 million to start the activities. The New Mexico Economic Development Department will contribute $500,000 in Local Economic Development funds toward the construction of ARCA Space’s new 14,000 sq. ft. hangar and manufacturing space. The City of Las Cruces will also provide ARCA Space abated lease of office, showroom and hanger space for one year – an estimate value of $55,000.

“I am thrilled that ARCA Space will make Las Cruces home for the production of its innovate, electric-powered aircraft and further diversify New Mexico’s economy,” Governor Martinez said. “Not only does New Mexico now have a competitive business environment but a strong aerospace infrastructure with New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory and Spaceport America positioning New Mexico to be an industry leader”

ARCA SPACE CORPORATION is committed to create at least 100 well-paid jobs in the next three years, with an average yearly salary of $52,000.

“Manufacturing and testing of AirStrato high-performance, electric powered, unmanned aerial system, is the foundation on which we build our enterprise here in Las Cruces. But it is far from being the end of our goals for ARCA in New Mexico. Two space vehicles, currently in development at ARCA will be brought here in the near future for testing, manufacturing and operations from Spaceport America. I’m talking about Haas 2B suborbital rocket intended for space tourism and Haas 2C orbital rocket intended for commercial orbital payload deliveries”, ARCA CEO, Dumitru Popescu said.

ARCA intends to become one of the major contenders on the newly emerging global UAV market with limitless applications for AirStrato aircraft such as stratospheric experiments, data transmission, border surveillance, search and rescue and disaster relief, affordable even to small organizations and private persons. AirStrato is a large electric powered unmanned aerial vehicle unique for its high performance and low cost. It is intended to bridge the gap between high performance high price military UAV and low performance low cost commercially available aerial drones. There are two versions available, a stratospheric capable long endurance AirStrato Explorer and a low altitude AirStrato Pioneer. Both variants can be powered by solar panels or hybrid propulsion. The company is currently working with the NMSU Flight Test Center to secure the FAA certification.

“The Economic Development Department, local officials, Mesilla Valley Economic Development and New Mexico State University all played an important role in bringing this amazing project to Las Cruces,” Secretary Barela said. “As New Mexico continues to gain momentum in its job creation efforts, we look forward to more cross collaboration to attract businesses to our state.”

ARCA SPACE Corporation is a US-based aerospace research and development company, which started as an NGO in the European Union, Romania. During its 16 years of activity, before relocating to the United States, ARCA SPACE has succeeded in launching 15 flights innovative and successful missions.  ARCA was one of the major contenders in the $10 million, Ansari X-Prize Competition, launching the Demonstrator 2B rocket. Following Ansari X-Prize ARCA was involved in the Google Lunar X-Prize, succeeding in launching successive stratospheric mission and culminating with the launch of Helen 2C rocket. In 2008, ARCA secured three governmental aerospace contracts worth $2.2 million for aerospace technologies and for military applications. In 2012 ARCA secured a $1.4 million contract with the European Space Agency to test the ExoMars spacecraft atmospheric re-entry parachutes.

Currently, ARCA SPACE Corporation is working to complete the flight tests of AirStrato high altitude, long endurance unmanned aerial system and to test the Haas 2B and Haas 2C launchers. Haas 2B is designed for space tourism and it will offer a true astronaut experience similar with the Redstone rocket used to bring the first American into space. Haas 2B will be operated from Spaceport America. Haas 2C is a two stage, low cost orbital rocket that can deliver commercial payloads up to 800lbs in low Earth orbit.

ARCA Space Corporation would like to thank the New Mexico authorities, New Mexico State University and Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance for their support in establishing our business in New Mexico.