AeroFly: Launching Space-Ready Solutions from the Research Park at SDSU

From its beginnings as a student-driven venture rooted in NASA competitions, AeroFly has grown into one of Brookings’ most innovative space technology startups. Operating out of the Research Park at SDSU, the company is carving out a unique role in advancing lunar infrastructure, digital twin modeling, and space-ready excavation systems, all while strengthening ties to both the federal innovation ecosystem and local talent pipelines. 

Over the past year, AeroFly has achieved a series of milestones that demonstrate both technical progress and strategic momentum. With multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards in hand, the team is advancing its Rego-LIFT system, a modular conveyor designed to move lunar regolith and support extraterrestrial processing plants. The company is also developing an integrated system for excavation and water extraction in permanently shadowed regions—technology critical for future lunar missions and sustainable space exploration. Coupled with its selection for NASA’s Tech Leap Prize, these projects are positioning AeroFly to validate its designs in environments that closely replicate the Moon’s vacuum and reduced gravity conditions. 

AeroFly’s approach blends advanced digital modeling with rapid prototyping. By creating predictive digital twins of regolith flow and hardware performance, the team can anticipate challenges before systems ever reach the field. This simulation-first mindset, combined with a nimble engineering culture, has allowed AeroFly to move quickly from competition concepts to funded projects with real-world applications. 

The company’s success is also tied to its surroundings. The Research Park has provided both infrastructure and visibility, enabling AeroFly to expand into larger facilities, attract interns, and connect with a community that bridges academia and industry. Recognition, such as being named the Park’s “Start-Up of the Year,” underscores how AeroFly’s work contributes not only to national priorities but also to South Dakota’s growing tech economy. 

Looking ahead, AeroFly is preparing for a full-scale terrestrial demonstration of Rego-LIFT as a readiness step for lunar deployment. Plans also include parabolic and suborbital testing to validate performance in space-like conditions, expanded use of digital twin modeling to refine system designs, and exploration of terrestrial applications in industries such as mining, agriculture, and energy. Strategic partnerships, including a growing relationship with Noble Reach Scholars, will continue to connect AeroFly’s capabilities with broader U.S. technology and workforce needs. 

Beyond its space-focused work, AeroFly is expanding its engineering services division through a major collaboration with DesignMill/thingz.ai. Together, they are launching a five-year digital twin modeling program that spans large-scale infrastructure like substations and warehouses. This effort not only broadens AeroFly’s technical scope but also reflects a deeper commitment to long-term innovation partnerships. 

At its core, AeroFly is proving that world-class space technology can be developed in Brookings, South Dakota. By pairing ambitious R&D with strong local and national connections, the company is building the foundation for systems that may one day power lunar exploration—while also strengthening South Dakota’s role in the emerging space economy.