Ursa Major expands Colorado production with Longmont site

Ursa Major has opened a new manufacturing facility in Longmont, expanding production of avionics and in-space propulsion systems and increasing manufacturing space at its Berthoud headquarters, the company said.

The Longmont site can seat more than 125 employees and includes dedicated welding and manufacturing labs, an ISO 7 hard-walled clean room with an ISO 8 gowning room, and an environmental test lab, according to the company.

CEO Chris Spagnoletti said the facility was opened because of customer demand and to move avionics and in-space propulsion work into Longmont. He said that shift also opens floor space in Berthoud for liquid engines, vehicle integration and solid rocket motors.

The company said the expansion will allow its hypersonics and solid rocket motor programs to grow. It said the move will free up additional manufacturing space at Berthoud for production of Hadley and Draper engines, the HAVOC Missile System and a solid rocket motor portfolio manufactured in Berthoud and Galeton, Colorado.

The Aug. 20 ribbon-cutting drew customers, state and local officials, employees and industry partners. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis attended and said the expansion highlights Colorado’s aerospace and defense sector and will bring jobs to the state, according to the company.