Juneau, Alaska – In a move to build a stronger and more dependable aerospace industry in Alaska, Governor Sean Parnell signed an executive order moving the oversight authority for the Alaska Aerospace Corporation from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The governor says the move will ultimately help grow related private-sector opportunities.

“The focus of the corporation has expanded and is no longer primarily commercial business development, but rather development of a unique niche market driven by government and military customers,” Governor Parnell said. “By changing the oversight authority, the Alaska Aerospace Corporation will have better access to the federal military command structure and greater opportunity to attract military contracts.”

 The Alaska Aerospace Corporation works closely with federal military programs and commercial aerospace companies to build capacity to launch test rockets and satellites into space.