CLEVELAND — There may not be a launching pad or mission control, but aerospace experts say they can’t get to space without Ohio. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio Space Forum focused on solidifying Ohio's role in the nation's space defense and exploration objectives 

  • Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, university presidents and students participated in the event at NASA Glenn Research Center

  • About 60 Ohio companies are contributing to the Artemis mission, which will land the first woman and first person of color on the moon
“We are the bread and butter because it is here with our manufacturing prowess, our workforce and everything that we have to offer with research and development that’s actually the catalyst that’s getting just to the moon and Mars,” said Elaine Bryant, executive vice president of aerospace and defense for the Dayton Development Coalition and managing director for Jobs Ohio. 

The 20-year Air Force veteran helped organize the Ohio Space Forum. 

“I grew up literally wanting to go to the moon,” Bryant said. “It’s still an aspiration that I have.”

The forum at NASA Glenn Research Center brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs and academics to help make space dreams a reality. 

“Continue to expand the economic impact that we have, bring more jobs, grow the companies that we have,” Bryant said. 

The Buckeye State already has a major impact, according to NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy. 

“Ohio is one of our top ten states that we partner with,” she said. “Huge economic impact, $2.3 billion and more than 9,000 jobs.”

Melroy said Ohio companies are even manufacturing pieces for the latest missions, from ground systems to space craft.

“That means pieces of Ohio will be going to the moon later this year, when we launch,” she said. 

She said more than 60 companies in the state are supporting the Artemis mission, which will land the first woman and first person of color on the moon. 

Partnerships between earth and space are something NASA Glenn Research Center Director Marla Perez-Davis wants to continue. 

“When you think of all the challenges that we have in space exploration and all of the benefits that come out of space exploration, we really need that innovation and creativity,” she said.