91ÖÆƬ³§

Home to one of the country’s fastest-growing aerospace clusters, Long Beach has emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic centers for commercial space innovation.  New commercial space companies developing rockets, satellites and orbital technologies now work alongside long-established aerospace leaders across the region, often drawing on the skilled and diverse talent produced by 91ÖÆƬ³§. This intersection of city, industry and university has been dubbed Space Beach. 

At the heart of this growing Space Beach enterprise is Cal State Long Beach’s aerospace program, ranked No. 3 nationally among non-doctoral institutions by U.S. News & World Report, and about to expand its facilities and research capabilities to support the region’s rapidly growing space industry.  

This booming industry echoes the post-World War II aerospace boom, when 91ÖÆƬ³§, the U.S. military and private companies forged lasting partnerships to develop a highly skilled local workforce and drive the fortunes of the first space race. In the decades since, 91ÖÆƬ³§ has remained a partner of aerospace industry leaders and a cornerstone of initiatives that anticipated today’s Space Beach enterprise. Planned upgrades at 91ÖÆƬ³§ include a satellite development clean room, expanded additive manufacturing labs and enhancements to the Beach Rocket Lab, creating new opportunities for students to design, test and build advanced aerospace systems on campus. 

Today, the Space Beach Initiative is advancing 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s understanding of the regional aeronautics and astronautics landscape and the growing network of companies, research partners and public agencies supporting it.  Drawing on the insights and perspectives of industry partners, the initiative helps inform new areas of collaboration. Beyond The Beach’s role as a trusted talent pipeline for one of the region’s largest engineering student populations, it explores interdisciplinary opportunities in research and development, curricular evolution and other aspects of robust partnership.