Davids Highlights Olathe Manufacturer’s Role in Historic Artemis II Mission to the Moon

Image July 7, 2026 Press Release OLATHE, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited Mid-State Aerospace in Olathe, a small Kansas manufacturer whose components helped make NASA’s Artemis II mission possible — the first crewed flight to travel around the Moon in more than 50 years. During the visit, Davids highlighted her successful efforts earlier this year to push the Trump Administration to reverse funding cuts to a manufacturing program that provides critical technical assistance to Kansas manufacturers. “Mid-State Aerospace is exactly what Kansas manufacturing looks like — skilled workers, a small team doing big things, and products that end up supporting some of the most complex missions our country undertakes,” said Davids . “When I visited this company a few years ago, I saw firsthand the kind of precision and pride that goes into their work. I’m glad I got to come back and see how that same work helped power a mission around the Moon. It’s a reminder that Kansas manufacturing is part of America’s story.” "At Mid-State Aerospace, we believe that the next giant leap for mankind begins with precision manufacturing right here at home,” said Robert Somers, Vice President of Operations, Mid-State Aerospace . “By serving as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier for the Artemis mission, our local team is proving that the road to the Moon runs directly through our community's hard work and dedication. We aren't just building aerospace components; we are manufacturing the future of space exploration." Davids first visited Mid-State Aerospace in 2022 with former U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Today, Davids once again met with company leadership and employees to tour the facility and highlight the role Kansas manufacturers play in advanced aerospace supply chains and national space exploration efforts. Artemis II marks a major milestone in NASA’s efforts to return humans to deep space exploration, and Kansas companies like Mid-State Aerospace played a role in building key components used in both the rocket and spacecraft systems that supported the mission. Last year, the Trump Administration cut off Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) funding, forcing Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS) to lay off nearly half its staff and putting local jobs and economic growth at risk. In response, Davids introduced the Defend American Manufacturing Act , legislation to restore and protect critical funding for MEP programs — the primary source of support for KMS. Following Davids’ advocacy and bipartisan pressure from Congress, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) restored funding to the MEP program. Manufacturing plays a critical role in Kansas’ economy, accounting for 86 percent of the state’s annual exports. In 2024 , KMS helped create or retain 2,339 jobs, spurred $122 million in new investment, saved local businesses $14.3 million, and generated $328 million in sales statewide. In Kansas’ Third District alone, KMS assisted 552 manufacturers and supported more than 30,000 manufacturing employees last year. Issues : Jobs, Economy & Small Businesses