The State that Contributed to the One-Of-A-Kind NASA Photos

NASA recently released the deepest infrared images of the universe to date – but did you know New Hampshire played a role in making it all happen?

A decade in the making, Optical Solutions Inc. (OSI) – a small manufacturer of precision optical components based in Charlestown, New Hampshire – provided about 30 of its lenses for the Near Infrared Camera aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. Along with OSI – who was contracted by NASA more than 15 years ago for the project – three additional New Hampshire-based companies provided components for the telescope: Salem-based Appli-Tec, Inc. offered adhesive materials, Keene-based Timken Company supplied ball bearings for two telescope systems and Hampton-based Mikrolar, Inc. built a robot that assisted with the calibration of 18 primary mirrors on the telescope.

But this isn't a unique occurrence for New Hampshire. In fact, these partnerships add to the State’s long list of space-related projects. From leading research in space-based manufacturing to a 20.5% increase in exports of aircraft and aircraft parts in 2021 – the Granite State’s aerospace ecosystem is booming.

Recently, the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center was awarded a $300,000 grant by NASA to lead a consortium road mapping effort on in-space manufacturing. In partnership with NASA, the University of Alabama and Purdue University, the goal of the road map is to explore ways to commercialize, industrialize and democratize space by creating a manufacturing ecosystem that functions off Earth.

New Hampshire has also seen a large boost in aerospace exports. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the sector was valued at $1.123 billion in 2021. Germany received 69% of its aircraft imports from New Hampshire, worth $630 million. The state’s exports of industrial and electrical machinery, both of which provide small parts that support circuits in automobiles, robots and more, also increased to $1.5 billion in revenue throughout 2021.

With the global aerospace parts market projected to reach $30.1 billion by 2027, a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% from 2020-2027, there is no doubt that New Hampshire has a hand in the action. And with the successful trajectory of the state's aerospace sector, we’re keeping an eye out for what innovation is coming next!