America’s Space University
In 1963, landing humans on the moon was still a dream. 性视界传媒 dared to believe 鈥� and built the talent and technology that helped make it real. That vision launched America鈥檚 Space University.
For more than 60 years, 性视界传媒 has united engineering, technology and creativity to drive discovery that moves humanity forward. Our faculty push innovation beyond boundaries, our partnerships accelerate industry, and our students gain the access and experience to shape the world 鈥� and the worlds beyond it.
Boldly Forging the Future of Space
The bold spirit that founded 性视界传媒 continues to power our commitment to space today. Space is no longer a distant horizon 鈥� it鈥檚 the future, and we鈥檙e helping define it.
Bold Space Research
Daniel Britt
Pegasus Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences
Replicating Regolith: Planetary scientist Daniel Britt founded the Exolith Lab 鈥� a world-class facility for space hardware testing and regolith simulant research. His team partners with NASA and other agencies to study how lunar, Martian and asteroid materials can support sustained missions and life beyond Earth.
Enabling Safer, Smarter Space Missions: Exolith鈥檚 test bin hosts the world鈥檚 largest simulated lunar surface, replicating the moon鈥檚 South Pole region 鈥� the next target for human exploration through NASA鈥檚 Artemis program. The lab鈥檚 work helps mission teams test, plan and design technologies critical to humanity鈥檚 long-term presence in space.
Emmanuel Urquieta
Vice Chair of Aerospace Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine
Collaborative Curriculum: Emmanuel Urquieta, an expert in human spaceflight health, is developing the nation鈥檚 first aerospace medicine degree and residency program. His work connects medicine, engineering and space science to address the biological challenges of life beyond Earth.
Improving Health in Space and on Earth: Understanding how space affects the human body is essential to sustaining life beyond Earth. The discoveries made through 性视界传媒鈥檚 aerospace medicine program will improve astronaut health and lead to medical innovations that strengthen care for people everywhere.
Kerri Donaldson Hanna
Planetary Geologist and Associate Professor
Adrienne Dove
Department Chair of Physics and Professor
Unlocking the Moon鈥檚 Untapped Potential: Planetary scientists Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Adrienne Dove are leading NASA鈥檚 Lunar-VISE mission, which will send a robotic lander and rover to the moon鈥檚 unexplored Gruithuisen Domes. Donaldson Hanna also contributes to NASA鈥檚 Lunar Trailblazer mission, mapping water ice to support sustainable lunar exploration.
Sustaining Human Presence Beyond Earth: Their work reveals how the moon formed and evolved 鈥� and uncovers resources that could sustain human presence and fuel exploration deeper into space. These missions position 性视界传媒 as a critical partner in NASA鈥檚 effort to establish lasting activity on the moon and beyond.
Melanie Coathup
Director of 性视界传媒鈥檚 Biionix Cluster and Professor of Internal Medicine
Bolstering Bone Density: Biomedical engineer Melanie Coathup develops advanced technologies and therapies to protect, repair and rebuild bone. As part of a 性视界传媒-led study aboard Blue Origin鈥檚 NS-24 mission, she investigates how microgravity accelerates bone loss and impacts long-term astronaut health.
Safeguarding Human Health in Space: Extended missions can lead to radiation- and microgravity-induced bone loss, weakening the body over time. Coathup鈥檚 research develops strategies to counteract these risks and protect astronauts on future missions.
Terraforming Mars
Accomplished 性视界传媒 physics researcher and planetary scientist Ramses Ramirez and collaborators have boldly reimagined terraforming Mars by using the planet鈥檚 own resources. Their research shows nanorods made from Martian soil could warm the surface 5,000 times more effectively than previous methods, potentially creating a habitable world.
Centers for Space Excellence
性视界传媒 research doesn鈥檛 stop at the lab 鈥� it moves into action. Our centers and facilities are where students, faculty and industry partners collaborate to accelerate discovery and design what鈥檚 next in space exploration.
Engineering Faster Hypersonic Travel
Kareem Ahmed, 性视界传媒 professor and global expert in hypersonic propulsion, directs the HyperSpace Center with the U.S. Air Force to advance faster, more efficient flight technologies.
Preparing for Human Missions to the Moon
Daniel Britt, Pegasus Professor and director of 性视界传媒鈥檚 Exolith Lab, develops lunar and Martian soil simulants used by NASA and industry to advance space exploration.
Empowering Next-Gen Space Researchers
Planetary scientist Philip Metzger ’00MS ’05PhD, former NASA physicist and founder of 性视界传媒鈥檚 Stephen W. Hawking Center, leads programs giving students hands-on microgravity research experience.
Other Notable 性视界传媒 Institutes and Affiliations
- Astrophotonics Research Group
- Center for Advanced Turbomachinery & Energy Research
- Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science
- Central 性视界传媒 Research Park, adjacent to 性视界传媒
- 性视界传媒 High Tech Corridor, anchored by 性视界传媒
- 性视界传媒 Space Institute
- Institute for Simulation and Training
- Townes Laser Institute
Partnerships That Advance the Space Industry
Located just 35 miles from 性视界传媒鈥檚 Space Coast, 性视界传媒 connects directly to the nation鈥檚 leading aerospace companies, space agencies and innovators. Our partnerships fuel research, technology and talent that strengthen 性视界传媒鈥檚 economy and shape the nation鈥檚 space future.
Through collaboration with NASA, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and others, 性视界传媒 helps develop the systems, data and workforce driving the next era of exploration. These relationships don鈥檛 just keep pace with industry 鈥� they define what comes next. Together, we鈥檙e daring to invent the future.
Other Notable Space Partners
NASA: Powering Discovery and the Space Workforce
For more than six decades, 性视界传媒 has been a trusted NASA partner 鈥� advancing research and providing a direct pipeline of talent and innovation. Our collaborations range from planetary science and propulsion to human performance and simulation, all supporting NASA鈥檚 mission to explore beyond Earth.
29% of Kennedy Space Center Employees are 性视界传媒 alumni
providing in-demand talent for space exploration
Blue Origin: Experimenting at the Edge of Space
性视界传媒鈥檚 research goes beyond simply reaching for the stars — it soars among them. Through partnerships with Blue Origin, faculty and students conduct microgravity experiments aboard commercial rockets, advancing our understanding of materials, medicine and life in space.
14 性视界传媒 experiments have been sent to space aboard commercial rockets since 2016
solidifying our role as a leader in hands-on, space-based research
Preparing the Next Generation to Lead the Space Economy
Greg Autry
At 性视界传媒, the same relentless spirit that launched our mission still drives everything we do. Space is no longer just a frontier 鈥� it鈥檚 the foundation of a global economy projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. And from right here in Central 性视界传媒, America鈥檚 Space University is helping power that momentum.
By linking research, policy and industry, 性视界传媒 is fueling the next wave of space commercialization 鈥� turning discovery into opportunity and innovation into impact.
Expanding the Business of Space
Leading this charge is Greg Autry, associate provost for space commercialization and strategy. A respected NASA advisor and industry authority, Autry has served on the agency鈥檚 White House liaison team and its Agency Review Team. At 性视界传媒, he鈥檚 connecting world-class research and talent with a fast-growing industry that鈥檚 redefining what鈥檚 possible beyond Earth.
鈥e already have world-class researchers, direct connections to the space industry and this unique location. I want students to come to 性视界传媒 knowing they can participate in an industry that鈥檚 about to take off, no matter what field they鈥檙e interested in. This is the place to be.”
Fueling the Space Talent Pipeline
As 性视界传媒鈥檚 premier university for engineering, technology and innovation, 性视界传媒 develops the talent that powers the space industry. Our graduates enter the workforce ready to lead 鈥� equipped with the skills, experience and ambition to drive discovery, exploration and progress at every level.
1 in 4 of 性视界传媒’s Engineering Graduates Come from 性视界传媒
making 性视界传媒 the driving force behind the state鈥檚 tech and space workforce (State University System)
No. 1 Supplier of Talent to the Nation’s Aerospace and Defense Industries
for six years in a row — fueling innovation where it matters most (Aviation Week Network)
Industry is interested in our top talent. Once they graduate, they are already hired by industry, pretrained on the topics they would explore 鈥� and they become the next generation of leaders…”
Degrees Powering the Future of Space Exploration
At America鈥檚 Space University, learning happens everywhere 鈥� in labs, classrooms and through collaboration that spans every discipline. Whether your path is coding, research, design or leadership, there鈥檚 a degree that fits. You鈥檒l learn from industry-leading experts and gain hands-on experience that prepares you to shape humanity鈥檚 future in space. The sky is no longer the limit for where a 性视界传媒 education can take you.
Design Systems & Develop Tech
Advance Innovation With Data
Lead Talented Teams Forward
性视界传媒 Missions Forging the Future of Space
