The Finger Lakes region is known for its namesake sequence of long thin freshwater lakes that stretch across the rolling hills south of Lake Ontario. The city of Rochester anchors the regions' dynamic space ecosystem while outlying regions host a variety of space-focused resources.
The space and aerospace ecosystem in the Finger Lakes supports over 5,000 jobs, with a diverse range of companies calling the region home. Legacy aerospace manufacturers, precision optics specialists, communications giant L3Harris, and even a space tourism outfit give the Finger Lakes a dynamic and diverse space economy.
Eight colleges and universities dot the region, offering extensive physics and astronomy related courses as well as an incredibly diverse array of student groups. These academic institutions are partners or outright owners of several observatories in the region, demonstrating the power and impact a dynamic academic sector can have on a regions' space ecosystem.
The Finger Lakes is also home to two high quality amateur rocket ranges in Geneseo and Penn Yan, offering extensive opportunities for residents of all ages. Combined with the opportunities at the recently renovated Strasenburgh Planetarium in downtown Rochester, the Finger Lakes possesses a diverse and robust civic space sector.
The Finger Lakes has a strong foundation for its space ecosystem, with robust activity in multiple sectors and demonstrated positive feedback loops across subsectors. It's clear the future is bright for space in the Finger Lakes.
Including 65 organizations and resources throughout the Finger Lakes Region!
Business Capital -- 6 resources
| Organization ▲ | Location | Type | Business Focus | Business Stage | Space Focus Level | Space Involvement | Assets | University | Social Media | AD | SD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstate Venture Association of New York | Pittsford | Venture Capital | Technology | Growth | Low | 135 (D) | 55 (D) | |||||
| Excell Partners Innovation TC Fund | Rochester | Venture Capital | Technology | Early Growth | Low | University of Rochester | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | New York Ventures affiliated, invests up to $1.5M per round | |||
| DeltaPoint Capital Management | Rochester | Venture Capital | General | Growth | Moderate | Investor in "Horizon Aerospace" | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | ||||
| Simon School Venture Fund | Rochester | Venture Capital | Technology | Early Growth | Moderate | Investor in "Satelles" | University of Rochester | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | |||
| RIT Venture Fund | Rochester | Venture Capital | General | Early Growth | Low | RIT | 138 (D) | 59 (D) | ||||
| Rochester Angel Network | Rochester | Angel Group | Technology | Early Growth | Low | 138 (D) | 59 (D) |
Business Services -- 10 resources
| Organization ▲ | Location | Type | Business Focus | Business Stage | Space Focus Level | Space Involvement | University | Social Media | AD | SD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HWS IdeaLab | Geneva | Startup Accelerator | General | Early Growth | Low | Hobart & William Smith College | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | |||
| HWS Summer Sandbox Idea Accelerator | Geneva | Startup Accelerator | General | Early Growth | Low | Hobart & William Smith College | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | |||
| New York Space Alliance (NYSA from RITRE Corporation) | Rochester | Startup Community | Space | Growth | High | Focused on NewSpace global startups in New York and internationally | Cornell University and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | 136 (D) | 55 (D) | Offering includes Events, Astrocafe, Startup Bootcamp, Virtual Space Accelerator, and Hacking for Space (H4S) | |
| AIM Photonics | Rochester | Manufacturing Consortium | Technology | Early Growth | Moderate | Member of the New York Consortium for Space Technology. | SUNY system | 136 (D) | 56 (D) | Offers start-ups, designers and developers, and academic researchers access to a supporting infrastructure of services across the entire silicon photonics development cycle: design, simulation, fabrication, packaging, validation, and a path to volume manufacturing. Dozens of members across the United States. | |
| NextCorps | Rochester | Startup Community | Technology | Early Growth | Low | University of Rochester | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | New York State certified Business Incubator | ||
| URVentures | Rochester | Startup Incubator | Technology | Foundation | Low | University of Rochester | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | |||
| VentureWorks | Geneseo | Startup Incubator | General | Foundation | Low | SUNY Geneseo | 133 (R) | 59 (D) | |||
| RIT Venture Creations Incubator | Rochester | Startup Incubator | Technology | Early Growth | Moderate | Members include "Hyperspectral Solutions" | RIT | 138 (D) | 59 (D) | ||
| Saunders Summer Startup Accelerator | Rochester | Startup Accelerator | Technology | Early Growth | Low | RIT | 138 (D) | 59 (D) | |||
| Simone Center Student Incubator | Rochester | Startup Incubator | Technology | Foundation | Low | RIT | 138 (D) | 59 (D) |
Civic Sector -- 7 resources
| Organization ▲ | Location | Status | Members | AD | SD | Partners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARS (Monroe Astronautical Rocket Society) | Geneseo | Active | unknown | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | National Warplane Museum | Regular, accessible public launches with a focus on youth participation. |
| Tech Rochester | Rochester | Active | unknown | 133 (R) | 55 (D) | Non-profit focused on supporting technology workers in the Rochester region of the Finger Lakes. | |
| New York Space Alliance | Rochester | Active | 3 | 138 (D) | 55 (D) | Focused on expanding opportunities for space entrepreneurs and growing New York's commercial space sector. | |
| AIM Photonics | Rochester | Active | unknown | 136 (D) | 56 (D) | SUNY system, Depeartment of Defense | Offers start-ups, designers and developers, and academic researchers access to a supporting infrastructure of services across the entire silicon photonics development cycle: design, simulation, fabrication, packaging, validation, and a path to volume manufacturing. Dozens of members across the United States. Member of the New York Consortium for Space Technology. |
| ASRAS (Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Sciences) | Henrietta | Active | 250 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Rochester Academy of Sciences | Longstanding Rochester astronomy organization that holds monthly meetings as well as overseeing the Farash Center for Observational Astronomy. |
| FIRST Upstate NY | Henrietta | Active | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | A suite of hands-on STEM programs engaging students of all ages across the Finger Lakes region. | |
| Upstate Research Rocketry Group | Penn Yan | Active | unknown | 132 (R) | 58 (R) | Team America Rocketry Contest | Extensive youth and collegiate rocketry programs, including partnerships with NASA & the Boy Scouts. |
Colleges & Universities -- 37 resources
| Institution ▲ | Location | Code | Resources | Social Media | Members | AD | SD | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart & William Smith College | Geneva | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | Program offers multiple Study Abroad opportunities. | |
| Hobart & William Smith College | Geneva | Degree Program | Physics & Engineering (3+2) | unknown | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | Joint studies offered with both Columbia and Dartmouth universities. | |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo | Degree Program | Physics & Astronomy | unknown | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | Highly regarded program prepares students for research, teaching, or professional career paths. | |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo | Student Group | Astronomy Club | unknown | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | Utilize regional planetariums and observatories for interested students. | |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo | Student Group | Physics Club | 7 | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | Active programming schedule for the community. | |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo | Civic Institution | SUNY Geneseo Observatory | unknown | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | Facility was relocated and updated in 2011, providing access to undergraduate Astronomy students. | |
| Roberts Weslyan College | Chili | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 138 (D) | 54 (R) | A physics education within a religious context. | |
| St. John Fisher College | Pittsford | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 133 (R) | 55 (D) | Smaller campus allows for more individualized experience with a diverse array of courses available. | |
| Monroe Community College1 | Rochester | Degree Program | Optical Systems Technology | unknown | 136 (D) | 56 (D) | Degree program that graduates students to local optics firms, including others in the Empire Space Census including Optimax and L3Harris. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Degree Program | Physics & Astronomy (BS) | unknown | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Intensive program geared towards preparing students for graduate studies in Physics or Astronomy. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Intensive program geared towards graduate preparation. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Degree Program | Physics & Astronomy (PhD) | unknown | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Immersive, flexible program that includes teaching and research components. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | Astronomy Club | 343 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Utilizes the Mees Observatory. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | Society of Women in Astronomy & Physics | 53 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Focus on increasing role of underrepresented minorities, especially women, in Physics. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | PASSAGE | 4 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Inclusive graduate level Physics & Astronomy networking. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | Women of Physics & Astronomy | 4 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Graduate level organization focused on women in Physics & Astronomy. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | Society of Physics Students | 201 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Focus on campus networking and group projects. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Student Group | SPIE | 19 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Graduate optics organization. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Civic Institution | C.E. Kenneth Mees Observatory | unknown | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Devoted to both teaching and public observing. | |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | Research Program | NASA Research Grant | 1 | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | Dr. Kerry O'Banion is an accomplished Neuroscientist whose work on the impacts of radiation on the brain has been supported by NASA for it's applicability to damage suffered by astronauts on deep space voyages. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Degree Program | Astrophysical Sciences & Technology (MS, PhD) | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Multidisicplinary program with research opportunities through the School of Physics & Astronomy. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Degree Program | Physics (MS) | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Program offers both a research and professional option. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Degree Program | Aerospace Engineering | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Program includes immersive co-op experiences. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Diverse range of research paths creates multiple opportunities for students. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Arnold Air Society | 19 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Aerospace focused, founded in 1986. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Launch Initiative | 58 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Well developed and networked rocketry team. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Space-Time Adventures | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Sci-fi fan club (impacted due to COVID). | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | SPEX Astrodynamics | 55 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Focused on tracking & observation. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Astronomy Club | 107 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Status uncertain. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Aero Design | 187 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Affililated with AIAA Design, Build, Fly competition. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | House of General Science | 16 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Dedicated science-centric student housing. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Student Group | Society of Physics Students | 139 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Focused on professional development. | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta | Civic Institution | RIT Observatory | unknown | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Utilized by undergraduate and gradute students. | |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport | Degree Program | Physics | unknown | 139 (R) | 62 (R) | Access to numerous on campus labs and a state-of-the-art planetarium. | |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport | Degree Program | Physics Education | unknown | 139 (R) | 62 (R) | Specifically designed program for those interesting in passing the joy of Physics on to the next generation of learners. | |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport | Student Group | Physics Club | unknown | 139 (R) | 62 (R) | Broad array of programming and interest areas. | |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport | Civic Institution | Lennon Hall Planetarium & Observatory | unknown | 139 (R) | 62 (R) | Planetarium and Observatory utilized primarily for student research. |
K-12 Schools -- 2 resources
| School ▲ | Locality | Facilities | Notes | AD | SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Trail Middle School | Penfield | The American Rocket Challenge Participant | 2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge. | 135 (D) | 55 (D) |
| Genesee Valley BOCES | Le Roy | Nasa HUNCH Program | 139 (R) | 57 (R) |
NYers In Space -- 2 resources
| Astronaut ▲ | Birthplace | Missions | Time In Space | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Gordon Fullerton | Rochester | STS 3, STS 51-F | 15 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes | Served on the support crews for the Apollo 14,15,16, & 17 Moon landings. |
| James Adamson | Warsaw | STS 28, 43 | 13 days, 22 hours, and 21 minutes | A Master Army Aviator, he commanded nuclear missile units before becoming an astronaut. |
| Total time in space: 29 days, 21 hours, and 11 minutes | ||||
Planetariums & Observatories -- 11 resources
| Organization ▲ | Location | Telescope | jobs | AD | SD | Partners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.E. Kenneth Mees Observatory | Naples | 24.00" | 1 | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | University of Rochester | Utilized by the Physics & Astronomy Department. |
| Farash Observatory | Ionia | 20.00" | 1 | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | Rochester Academy of Sciences | Multiple large telescopes in use at the complex. |
| Smith Observatory | Geneva | 10.00" | 1 | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | Smith Observatory (historic site) | Formerly owned by Hobart & William Smith College, now a National Historic site. |
| Geneseo Launch Site | Geneseo | N/A | 1 | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | Monroe Astronautical Rocket Society | Largest amateur rocketry organization in New York state, hosting regular free public launches. Certifiied to launch high powered rockets capable of reaching 12,000 ft in altitude. |
| SUNY Geneseo Planetarium & Observatory | Geneseo | 20.00" | 1 | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | SUNY Geneseo | Planetarium & Observatory utilized by the campus Astronomy Club. |
| Rochester Museum & Science Center | Rochester | N/A | 51 | 138 (D) | 55 (D) | Strasenburgh Planetarium | Extensive space related programming and events linked to the planetarium. |
| Strasenburgh Planetarium | Rochester | N/A | 2 | 138 (D) | 55 (D) | Rochester Museum & Science Center | Robust schedule of events, special focus on children. |
| Challenger Learning Center Rochester | Rochester | N/A | 3 | 136 (D) | 56 (D) | Challenger Learning Center | Center uses space to teach broader skills, closely aligned with teacher needs and state education curriculum. |
| RIT Observatory | Henrietta | 14.00" | 1 | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | Rochester Institute of Technology | Utilized by undergraduate and gradute students. |
| Penn Yan Launch Site | Penn Yan | N/A | unknown | 132 (R) | 58 (R) | Upstate Rsearch Rocketry Group | Amateur rocket launch facility with monthly launches open to the public. |
| Lennon Hall Planetarium & Observatory | Brockport | 12.00" | 1 | 139 (R) | 62 (R) | SUNY Brockport | Planetarium and Observatory utilized primarily for student research. |
Space Companies -- 29 resources
| Organization | Category | Specialization | Revenue | Employment | Social | Location | Comments ▼ | AD | SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMA Design Automation | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | $16 million (Local) |
105 | Henrietta | Veteran and family owned business in the PCB (circuit board) and other electrical and data tools. Customers include NASA's Orion program. | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Howmet Aerospace | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $4 billion (Global) |
38 | Rochester | This facility specializes in making rings for engine systems. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 3 | Gates | This facility is part of the navigation, electronics, and communications manufacturing network. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 2 | Greece | This facility is part of the navigation, electronics, and communications manufacturing network. | 134 (R) | 56 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 400 | Greece | This facility is part of the navigation, electronics, and communications manufacturing network. | 134 (R) | 56 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 800 | Gates | This facility is part of the navigation, electronics, and communications manufacturing network. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 509 | Greece | This facility is part of the communications and electronics manufacturing network. | 134 (R) | 56 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 1 | Rochester | This facility is part of the communications and electronics manufacturing network. | 138 (D) | 55 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | 65 | Henrietta | This facility is part of the communications and electronics manufacturing network. | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | ||
| OptiPro Systems | Core Space | Optics | $23.3 million (Local) |
90 | Ontario | Specializes in optics and ceramics manufacturing, including work for NASA. | 130 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| B&B Precision Manufacturing | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $2.82 million (Global) |
32 | Avon | Specializes in high-precision machining, customer base includes the aerospace industry. | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| Scout | Core Space | Space Situational Awareness | 5 | Rochester | Space Situational Awareness company participating in the Rochester based Luminate Accelerator. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | ||
| Brinkman Precision | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $54 million (Global) |
275 | Henrietta | Rapidly expanding high quality machining facility that includes aerospace parts and manufacturing. | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Ormec Systems Corp | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | $8 million (Local) |
32 | Brighton | Provides integration automation services a wide range of aerospace components, including NASA's Exploration Ground Systems. | 135 (D) | 55 (D) | |
| Triplett Machine Inc | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | $13.9 million (Local) |
60 | Phelps | Precision machining and manufacturing company, clients include NASA's SLS program. | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| PGM Corp (Precision Grinding & Manufacturing) | Core Space | Satellite Manufacturing | $37.3 million (Site Specific) |
49 | Rochester | PGM has 50+ years of experience over over $115 million in capital equipment focused on a wide range of precision manufacturing applications, including a significant satellite manufacturing component. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Addison Precision Manufacturing | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $18 million (Global) |
95 | Gates | Multiple complex machining processes available to a wide range of clients, including the aerospace sector. | 134 (R) | 56 (D) | |
| Arrow Electronics | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | 55 | Pittsford | Manufactures an incredibly broad range of electronics parts and components. Customers include NASA's Orion program. | 135 (D) | 55 (D) | ||
| L3Harris | Space & Defense | Telecommunications & Electronics | $17.2 billion (Global) |
2600 | Rochester | Local HQ for their extensive communications & electronics manufacturing network in the Finger Lakes region. Local sites also participate in NASA's Orion crewed vehicle program. | 138 (D) | 55 (D) | |
| The Deprez Group of Travel Agents | Core Space | Space Tourism | $14 million (Global) |
68 | Rochester | Largest tourism agency in the Rochester region has brought Zero-G flights to the Finger Lakes while offering access and training to the growing private spaceflight industry, inclusing Virgin and Blue Origin. | 136 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Optimax | Core Space | Optics & Imaging | $55.8 million (Global) |
350 | Ontario | Highest quality precision optics manufacturer that includes NASA among it's customers, with it's products on every Mars rover and the TESS telescope. | 130 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| Starris-Optimax Space Systems | Core Space | Optics | $1000 thousand (Local) |
1 | Ontario | Founded in 2024, aims to deliver high-quality optics to orbit in under a year. Produces high quality optics for a wide range of space platforms including NASA Mars Rovers and hundreds of commercial space platforms. | 130 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| DRT Aerospace | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $1000 thousand to $5 million (Global) |
13 | Gates | Facility specializes in complex machining and honing. | 137 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Swain Technology | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | $2 million (Local) |
8 | Scottsville | Develops high performance engine and industrial coatings. Customers include NASA's Orion program. | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| Valvetech | Core Space | Aerospace Manufacturing | $13.4 million (Local) |
62 | Phelps | Develops custom precision fluid control systems for aerospace and defense clients, including NASA's Orion program. | 131 (R) | 54 (R) | |
| Ultra Electronics | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | Victor | Design and manufacture precision control systems for military and aerospace clients. | 133 (R) | 54 (R) | |||
| Cerion | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $17.1 million (Global) |
11 | Rochester | Conducts nanomaterials research for a wide range of industries, including aerospace. | 135 (D) | 35 (D) | |
| Cellec Technologies | Core Space | Battery Technology | $5 million (Local) |
7 | Henrietta | Conducts cutting edge research and development on lithium batteries for numerous industries, include the aerospace and space defense sectors. | 138 (D) | 56 (D) | |
| Advanced Atomization Technologies | Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | $136 million (Site Specific) |
340 | Clyde | Advanced Atomization Technologies (AA TECH) is a joint venture between Parker Aerospace and GE Aerospace, created to produce and support advanced fuel nozzles and related products for current and future commercial engine platforms, including aerospace and aero-derivative engines. | 130 (R) | 54 (R) |