From Campus to Orbit: AscendArc and PSU Forge a Path for Portland's Aerospace Future

Recently, spacetech company AscendArc, their venture capital partners (Seraphim space), and South Korean (KTSAT) investors visited the Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS) to tour our Rocket Room and Software-Defined Radio lab. Maseeh College's facilities offers dedicated space and equipment for PSAS to create high-powered amateur rockets using both composite materials and isogrid structures. They also build small-scale liquid-fuel rocket engines and have a test stand called the minimal test stand (minTS) that can be used for static testing liquid engines with thrust up to 10 kilonewtons. PSAS designed, built and flew Oregon’s very first satellite, which is based on their open-source, modular CubeSat system. As with so many of the other projects at the college, PSAS transforms complex concepts into tangible, hands-on projects for students.

AscendArc specializes in designing and manufacturing small geostationary (GEO) satellites. The company recently secured $4 million in funding and partnered with Optisys to integrate 3D-printed radio frequency components, which reduces manufacturing costs and launch weight.

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, AscendArc has strong ties to Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. Through the Air Force's AFWERX program, Maseeh students have been helping AscendArc refine its technology for a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.

After touring AscendArc's facilities on Thursday, investors visited PSAS on Friday. Kalab Kahsay, an undergraduate computer science major was impressed by the incredible organization and teamwork from the PSAS students, who came from various disciplines like computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.” He also remarked that the students “showcased a range of rocket projects, including failed experiments and the stories behind them, which the investors were particularly interested in.” The tour not only showcased the technical expertise of PSAS students but also underscored the value of transparency and learning from failure—qualities that are essential for innovation in the commercial space industry.

Listening to the passionate discussions about rocketry and seeing this collaborative, hands-on work was inspiring. It was also great to learn that the club shares its work openly through open-source projects.

This collaboration between a dynamic startup and a passionate student organization demonstrates how Portland's thriving tech ecosystem is cultivating the next generation of aerospace leaders. In the rapidly evolving landscape of aerospace, the partnership between AscendArc and PSAS highlights the critical role of local collaboration. AscendArc's investment in student talent, combined with PSAS's hands-on, multi-disciplinary approach to rocketry, creates a powerful synergy that benefits both organizations.