By Michele Robertson
Space exploration has fascinated people of all ages for many years, and Carlsbad has a history with space exploration and a connection to its future.
The Carlsbad Museum recently inducted Carlsbad’s only astronaut, Dr. Drew Gaffney, into the Hall of Fame. Dr. Gaffney flew on the 1991 STS-40 Spacelab Li
fe Sciences mission (SLS 1), the first shuttle mission dedicated to biomedical research.
But he isn’t Carlsbad’s only tie to space. Former resident Gabe Mounce leads the Technology Engagement and Outreach Office for the Air Force Research Lab, and resident Toni Balzano founded Q Station, a flag-ship collaboration facility in Albuquerque.
“The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) is the Science and Technology arm for the Department of the Air Force serving both the US Air Force (USAF) and US Space Force (USSF),” said Mounce. “Headquartered in Dayton, OH, with technology centers located around the world, New Mexico houses two technology centers on Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque focused on Space and Directed Energy technology research and development.
“This linkage between the USAF/USSF and the region has roots all the way back to the early days of rocket experiments performed by Robert Goddard and continues today as New Mexico becomes a hotbed for the new commercial space sector,” he said.
“Our work includes private-public engagement activities designed to develop paths to commercialize the science and technology we advance in the lab; K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and outreach activities designed to inspire the next generation toward careers in science, technology, and innovation; and programs to seek out new innovation from the private sector that might be adopted by the USAF/USSF to further their mission through our Hyperspace Challenge, Q Station Space Tech Cohort, and NewSpace Ignite programs for small tech businesses,” said Mounce.
Graduating from Carlsbad High School in 1994, Mounce was involved in Band, Track and Field, 4-H, and numerous clubs. “I had excellent teachers throughout my K-12 experience in Carlsbad and specifically at CHS, including Karen Gentry, Robert Cope, David Landreth, Steve West, and Jim Burke. They really helped build an academic foundation that also inspired creativity and later enabled me to pursue a career in Engineering,” he said.
Balzano said she has worked with AFRL for the past 12 years to develop outreach engagement activities both from the economic development side as well as STEM. “AFRL is very focused on how to bring in young people to work as scientists and engineers, but they are equally as focused on how to work with the private sector on technology advancements that can benefit the work they are doing in the lab,” she said.
“In an effort to address that, I, along with my business partner, developed the concept of Q Station as a collaborative hub for Space and tech businesses to work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers. Once AFRL decided they liked the concept, I then designed and developed the Q Station business model along with the actual interior design for the project. Today, I manage strategic planning for Q Station, and I’m working on the future vision for the growth in the Space sector,” Balzano explained.
“Q Station is just one part in a much bigger story about how New Mexico is becoming a world leader in space technology. New Mexico has always been home to some of the nation’s most important space developments, but we are now in the process of connecting assets along the Rio Grande corridor of both private and government capabilities. We are calling this effort Space Valley, and recently, we launched the official Space Valley Foundation, a nonprofit that will help expand the space industry,” she said.
“It’s important for every New Mexican to know the vital space work being done here to forward exploration in space and to protect our country’s national security. There is also a huge connection to space energy and our local energy hub in oil and gas in this area. In fact, we already work with companies like Coterra on initiatives, and we see a huge potential to bring new technologies to the Permian Basin,” Balzano said.
With the difficulty of the public being able to access an Air Force Base, the AFRL decided that to further their mission, a location off-site was needed. Q Station opened in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque in collaboration with the New Mexico Trade Alliance and New Mexico Tech to make it easier for them to develop relationships with the Albuquerque and New Mexico business and technology ecosystem.
Q Station is AFRL-NM’s front door and flagship collaboration facility in Albuquerque. It’s an open-plan co-working space with a mid-century modern vibe that enables better connection and collaboration with the community.
“Q Station is a collaborative space for tech, energy, and space companies, so local companies in those fields who may be doing business in Albuquerque are welcome to apply to be members so that they can work out of Q Station when they are in town. They can go to the website to apply, https://www.qstation.tech/ ,” Balzano said.
“Everywhere you look, modern living is influenced, and depends, on science, technology, engineering, and math, which means STEM is the foundation of much of the modern world and underpins the economy. So, I think it’s really important for young people to be exposed to STEM because no matter what they do in the future, they will need to have some level of literacy in STEM....and in fact, if they do have some proficiency in STEM, they increase their access to opportunities for the future,” said Monroe.
“And more than that, it’s important to see science in action because having some understanding of scientific principles will enable us as a society to solve some of our toughest challenges and improve our communities and wellbeing,” he added.
“I know a private company that is developing the first Wi-Fi for the moon so that when later NASA missions go to the moon in 2027, astronauts will have ready access to the internet. I’ve also seen companies that are developing autonomous mining rigs for asteroids and even companies working on how they can manufacture structures in orbit, which means we are seeing new opportunities for artists, accountants, marketing, salespeople, craftsmen, technicians, and all kinds of other professions and trades being created by this new space economy,” Mounce said.
“The new Space Age is no longer just for Rocket Scientists and Engineers; it’s for everyone. New Mexico is at the forefront of this industry growth and is leading the nation under the guise of new branding called the ‘Space Valley.’ So, I’m excited at how AFRL is contributing to the Space Valley ecosystem and how that might result in future opportunities for New Mexicans,” he said.
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