Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when UCF was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe — developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today.
We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.
Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space
Space at UCF extends far beyond a single discipline.
UCF students can choose from numerous space-related programs spanning business, engineering, hospitality, medicine, planetary science, optics and policy — preparing them for in-demand careers across the space sector.
Joining a space-focused student organization can strengthen your skills, connect you with like-minded peers and offer opportunities to turn your studies into real-world work.
Learn more about some of these groups and how to get involved.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Who they are: UCF’s chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a technical society dedicated to the aerospace profession, welcomes students of all experience levels and academic disciplines. It boasts nearly 400 active members, with many studying aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering or computer science.
Ways to get involved: AIAA@UCF sponsors industry tours, guest speakers, professional development events, socials and creative engineering projects. One is a multi-year effort in partnership with SEDS and Seagate Space to engineer the first sea-based launch by university students in the nation.
How to find them: Join the AIAA Discord to stay up to date with announcements and general information, or follow @aiaaucf on Instagram.
Astronomy Society
Who they are: The Astronomy Society is dedicated to cultivating a deep appreciation for space while providing valuable opportunities for students aspiring to build careers in astronomy.
Ways to get involved: Members can participate in resume workshops, physics conferences, space-themed social meet-ups, and telescope operation training, and help organize or attend Knights Under the Stars stargazing events at Robinson Observatory on UCF’s main campus.
How to find them: Attend a general board meeting, follow @UCFastroclub on Instagram or join the Astronomy Club’s Discord.
Knights Experimental Rocketry
Who they are: Knights Experimental Rocketry designs and builds experimental rockets and payloads for collegiate competitions.
Ways to get involved: Students can get involved in a wide range of projects, from designing and building rockets, developing liquid rocket propulsion systems, and researching and testing electric thrusters.
How to find them: Join the KXR Discord, follow @kxrucf on Instagram or visit kxrucf.com.
Knights Satellite Club
Who they are: Knights Satellite Club is UCF’s center for satellite and space systems development. Students can join with little to no satellite experience and gain engineering skills through low-cost projects that introduce them to spaceflight hardware, integration, testing, communications, recovery, and systems engineering.
Ways to get involved: Members can join progressively more challenging projects as their experience, skills and knowledge develop. Weekly committee meetings also welcome members with interests beyond engineering and science, including fundraising, event management and public relations.
How to find them: Find the latest information at linktr.ee/kscucf.
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
Who they are: SEDS empowers members to make an impact in space exploration through an interdisciplinary community spanning engineering, biology, economics, history, photography and more.
Ways to get involved: Attend speaker series, social events like space-movie viewings, professional workshops, rocketry tutorials and tours of space-industry companies. Members can also take part in research projects ranging from agriculture in simulated Martian regolith and space economics to solving space exploration challenges for NASA.
How to find them: Visit sedsucf.org, stay up to date through the SEDS Discord or follow @sedsucf on Instagram.
