RTX announces grant for Space Foundation Discovery Center

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (April 9, 2024) — RTX (NYSE: RTX) provided a $150,000 grant to Space Foundation Discovery Center as part of its continued partnership to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders in Colorado. Funding will support:

• Renovations of Space Foundation Discovery Center, the region’s first and only dedicated space, science and technology center, adding two new interactive and immersive education labs, upgrading and enhancing existing labs, and improving educational programming.

• Support of Space Foundation’s Discover the Universe ScholarTrips program, enabling K-12 students and teachers from Title 1 and military-connected schools in Colorado to visit Discovery Center at no cost, helping to reduce barriers and support unique learning experiences for individuals from all backgrounds.

• Expansion of the New Generation program to include three new leadership exchanges for high school students from underserved communities and young professionals, providing free networking, career development and mentoring opportunities.

“We are committed to promoting STEM education by helping to provide access to resources that can transform the lives of young people in our communities,” said Sandy Brown, vice president, mission solutions and payloads, for Raytheon. “Advancing lifelong learning helps build the next generation of talent in Colorado.”

Serving more than 40,000 visitors a year, Space Foundation Discovery Center is a vital resource highlighting the importance of aerospace technology. The facility educates and inspires students, teachers and young professionals in the state and around the globe.

"As we chart our course toward the moon and beyond, the need for skilled talent to drive this pivotal mission has never been more important, especially here in Colorado, a key space hub. RTX’s grant is a crucial boost for Space Foundation Discovery Center, enabling us to expand our reach and offer more children access to STEM education. This investment not only strengthens our commitment to cultivating and diversifying the space workforce but also propels us toward a new frontier in space exploration,” said Melissa Patton, Space Foundation vice president of education.

RTX’s expanded partnership with Space Foundation Discovery Center is part of RTX’s Connect Up initiative, which is a 10-year, $500 million corporate social responsibility effort to drive transformative, generational impact on critical societal challenges.

About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

About Space Foundation Discovery Center
Space Foundation Discovery Center is a hands-on, interactive space and science center focused on inspiring, educating and preparing the next generation of explorers and innovators in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Partnerships with government, educational institutions, and commercial enterprises support science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) exhibits and programming. To learn more about Space Foundation Discovery Center, visit https://discoverspace.org/.

About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering education, collaboration and information for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact RTX at [email protected] or Rich Cooper, vice president of strategic communications and outreach, Space Foundation, at [email protected].