On July 10, 2026, Element U.S. Space & Defense welcomed Senator Suzette Valladares of California State Senate District 23, as well as members of her team to its Santa Clarita, CA facility for a tour and discussion focused on space and defense testing, workforce growth, and continued investment in California.
Joining Senator Valladares were District Director Charles Navarro, Field Representatives Tanya Mikhail and Brandon Gesicki, and Intern Alexis Molina.
A key topic of discussion was Element U.S. Space & Defense's recent investment of $1.6 million in a new T-2000 shaker system, including both the shaker itself and related capital facility improvements.
The T-2000 addition further strengthens a robust suite of environmental testing services that are part of its Space Simulation Center of Excellence. It also includes:
These capabilities help customers validate the performance and reliability of components and systems designed to operate in the most extreme environmental conditions in earth and some in space.
The team also highlighted its next major expansion initiative: an enhanced Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) capability, which is expected to be complete by Q1 of 2027.
The expanded TVAC capability will further strengthen the Santa Clarita facility’s ability to support increasingly complex space programs by providing advanced simulation of the extreme thermal and vacuum conditions encountered during space missions.
Together, the new shaker system and planned TVAC expansion represent significant investments in both the future of the company as well as the broader space industry in California.
Throughout the visit, Element U.S. Space & Defense emphasized its commitment to keeping this growth and investment in California.
The team highlighted the importance of maintaining and expanding highly skilled technical capabilities within the region, while continuing to support a wide range of jobs and career opportunities in the space and defense sector.
To meet increasing customer demand, Element U.S. Space & Defense anticipates 10% headcount growth between 2026 and 2027, creating additional opportunities for engineers, technicians, and testing professionals in the Santa Clarita region.
They also noted the importance of clear coordination among state and local stakeholders to help ensure facility expansions and infrastructure improvements move forward efficiently and avoid preventable execution delays.
As a trusted partner to the defense industry, the Element U.S. Space & Defense is CMMC Level 2 certified allowing it to support a broad range of sensitive programs.
Senator Valladares's visit provided an opportunity to discuss the critical role that testing, certification, and technical expertise play in supporting innovation, national security, and economic growth.
Element U.S. Space & Defense appreciates Senator Valladares's visit and the opportunity to showcase how continued investment, skilled talent development, and strong public-private collaboration can help drive innovation and growth throughout California's space and defense industrial base.
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact us at (833) 673-8773
