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Jacobs SVP Talks Space Tech After Landing Design Contract on New Flight Training Facility

Plus: Nationwide franchise The Learning Experience is set to open eight new Dallas locations and design firm Sustainable Modular Management relocates HQ to Frisco.
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Axiom Space, a company that aims to provide human spaceflight services to individuals, corporations, and space agencies, has awarded Dallas-based Jacobs the architecture and engineering contract for a 14-acre assembly, integration, and testing facility. The space will serve as a headquarter campus to train astronauts.

The 100,000-square-foot HQ rests on 400-acres in Houston. Phase one construction is budgeted at $40 million, funded by the City of Houston. The station’s completion corresponds with the module delivery from Italy, but is expected to open April 2023.

The new facility will also enable Axiom to construct the world’s first commercial, international space station. Once complete, the private space station will serve as a central hub for research to support microgravity experiments, manufacturing, and commerce in low Earth orbit missions.

D CEO recently caught up with Jacobs’ senior vice president and general manager of critical mission solutions, Steve Arnette, to discuss their involvement in the future of space technology. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.

D CEO: Why does Jacobs want to support future commercial space operations?

ARNETTE: “Congress and NASA have made significant investments in, and provided extensive assistance to, U.S. firms to help drive development of the space economy. With NASA as one of our largest clients, participating directly in the NASA mission of incubating the commercial space economy offers great business potential, but there is also great purpose and benefits for people on Earth. Jacobs has cultivated decades of space expertise, and we see this translating to opportunity for us in the future space economy.”

D CEO: What benefits will these commercial space operations bring to our innovation here on Earth, and specifically DFW?

ARNETTE: “Since the birth of the U.S. space program in the late 1950s, investment in technologies required for space have made huge positive impacts in our economy and our technical leadership of the world–transistors, integrated circuits, advanced materials, computers, software, mobile phones, and tablets are all great examples of that.”

D CEO: What does the future of space travel look like? 

ARNETTE: “Reusable systems; lower cost to carry cargo to orbit; routine operations in low Earth orbit; regular operations and exploration of deep space—the moon, Mars and, beyond—all of this resulting in enhanced access to space.”

Nationwide Franchise The Learning Experience is Set to Open Eight New Dallas Locations

Over the next two years, nationwide academy of early-childhood education The Learning Experience will open eight more locations across North Texas. The franchise brand already operates 15 locations across DFW.

The new locations will all consist of a 10,000-square-foot academy and an up to 5,000-square-foot outdoor playground. Each facility will employ 30 staff members and certified teachers to serve upwards of 180 kids from 6 weeks old to 6 years old with childcare, enrichment programs, and early childhood education. 

“Our real estate team pinpoints the best location and works with developers to build, equip, and set up the center,” Stephanie Retherford, senior vice president, said. 

Locations and expected delivery are:

  • Spring 2022: Farmers Branch at 13000 Josey Lane
  • Summer 2022: Keller at 150 Ridge Point Pkwy
  • Sumer 2022: Fort Worth on Summer Creek Dr.
  • Summer 2022: Frisco on Preston Road
  • Winter 2022: Hickory Creek
  • Winter 2023: Dallas near Frankford Road
  • Winter 2023: Southlake near Southlake Blvd.
  • Winter 2023: Argyle
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The Learning Experience operates more than 300 franchises nationally with 15 in DFW. The Learning Experience

Design Firm Sustainable Modular Management Relocates HQ to Frisco

Custom commercial modular construction and design firm Sustainable Modular Management has relocated its headquarters from North Dallas, near the Addison Airport, to Legacy Drive in Frisco.

The move comes alongside an overall office rebrand for the company.

“We are currently in a tremendous growth period and needed a space that would reflect a refreshed presence,” CEO Nick Mackie said. “The new headquarters will allow us to expand our teams and continue to provide professional assistance throughout each phase of our clients’ modular construction process.”

NAI Robert Lynn’s Dan Jardine, executive vice president and Brett Bofinger, market director, represented the tenant in the transaction.

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Ben Swanger

Ben Swanger

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Ben Swanger is the managing editor for D CEO, the business title for D Magazine. Ben manages the Dallas 500, monthly…
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