George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is set to unveil its highly anticipated Terminal D expansion this month, following several years of construction.   The new Terminal D-West Pier will open on October 22, adding 160,000 square feet to the terminal to meet growing passenger demand, according to the Houston Airport System. The expansion includes six new gates capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft and up to 10 narrow-body planes.  Click to expand The international terminal also provides space for 16 dining concepts, featuring local favorites like The Kitchen and The Annie, alongside national chains such as Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jamba Juice and a LEGO Store, creating an additional 250 jobs.  "The opening of the Terminal D-West Pier is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and our partners,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, in a statement. “This world-class facility will provide a seamless and efficient travel experience for millions of passengers each year. The new pier will provide the necessary capacity so Houston can continue to attract more nonstop flights to cities around the globe."  Click to expand Additional amenities include a mother’s room, sensory room, child’s play area, upgraded restrooms, 500 modern lounge seats and eight new art commissions by Houston-based artists, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage and diversity.  "We are focused on improving the overall passenger experience at the airport – from parking and traffic to providing modern terminals with the right amenities,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a statement. “This project is a major investment in our city's future. The newly expanded international terminal enhances Houston's reputation as a world-class city and provides a boost to our economy, supporting jobs and attracting more visitors from around the globe."  This expansion is part of the broader IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), a $1.458 billion investment aimed at modernizing the airport's international travel infrastructure. Earlier phases of the program included the revitalization of the existing Terminal D, which was completed in 2023.  The final component of the program includes the development of the International Central Processor (ICP), which will feature ticketing counters, baggage claims and a 17-lane security checkpoint—set to be one of the largest in the country. According to the Houston Airport System, the ICP will be completed in two phases. Phase one, slated for winter 2025, will include United Airlines relocating its Terminal E operations to the ICP. Phase two, expected in summer 2025, will involve international airlines transitioning their operations to the new facility.  Other critical projects underway at IAH include United Airlines’ $2.6 billion expansion and renovation of Terminal B, which is expected to be completed in 2026.  Learn more about the Houston Airport System during the Partnership’s State of the Airports event on Thursday, Dec. 5. 

Houston-based Axiom Space and multinational tech innovator Nokia have formed a strategic partnership to enhance the next-generation spacesuits for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III lunar mission.  The collaboration aims to incorporate Nokia’s advanced 4G/LTE communication technology into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), which NASA selected Axiom Space to design in 2022. This upgrade will allow crew members to capture real-time, high-definition video, exchange critical information and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while exploring the Moon.   Developed by the renowned Nokia Bell Labs, Nokia’s cutting-edge technology, known as the Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), emerged from its selection by NASA under the Tipping Point initiative, which supports the development of space technologies to enhance future missions. The LSCS comprises two key components: a network-in-a-box, which consolidates the radio, base station and core network elements of a terrestrial cellular network into a single unit, and device modules that will be integrated into the AxEMU spacesuits.  The LSCS will be initially deployed during Houston aerospace company Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, scheduled to launch later this year, establishing the first-ever cellular network on the Moon. This mission will test the technology to refine its adaptation for the AxEMU spacesuits and highlight the crucial role of cellular connectivity on the Moon and Mars.  “Just as astronauts will need life support, shelter and food, they will need advanced networks to communicate with each other and go about their crucial work,” said Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, in a statement. “Bell Labs has a long history of working on space projects, and Nokia is a leader in designing and building networks that connect the world. We are taking advantage of the same standards-based technologies that connect billions of devices on Earth every day, while bringing new innovation and technologies to bear on the specific challenges encountered in space."  This announcement aligns with NASA’s increasing investments in Houston companies and institutions as the region solidifies its position as a major player in the global space economy. NASA recently signed a Space Act Agreement with bp to leverage digital technologies and expertise to advance both energy production and space exploration. Earlier this year, the space agency also awarded the University of Houston $5 million to establish an aerospace engineering research center, focused on bolstering its human space exploration efforts on the Moon and Mars.  These partnerships are set to expand further through the NASA Johnson Space Center’s new aerospace innovation hub, Exploration Park. “I think you can plan for an increased number of partnerships going forward. I anticipate that partnerships will continue to become a bigger part of Johnson Space Center strategy,” Nick Skytland, chief technologist at JSC, told the Houston Business Journal. “We recognize that this is truly humanity's collaboration to advance human space exploration. So, we want to see more people be part of that.”  Learn more about Houston’s aerospace industry.