America’s Space University
In 1963, landing humans on the moon was still a dream. UCF dared to believe — and built the talent and technology that helped make it real. That vision launched America’s Space University.
For more than 60 years, UCF 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 — and the worlds beyond it.
Boldly Forging the Future of Space
The bold spirit that founded UCF continues to power our commitment to space today. Space is no longer a distant horizon — it’s the future, and we’re 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 — 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’s test bin hosts the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, replicating the moon’s South Pole region — the next target for human exploration through NASA’s Artemis program. The lab’s work helps mission teams test, plan and design technologies critical to humanity’s 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’s 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 UCF’s 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’s Untapped Potential: Planetary scientists Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Adrienne Dove are leading NASA’s Lunar-VISE mission, which will send a robotic lander and rover to the moon’s unexplored Gruithuisen Domes. Donaldson Hanna also contributes to NASA’s 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 — and uncovers resources that could sustain human presence and fuel exploration deeper into space. These missions position UCF as a critical partner in NASA’s effort to establish lasting activity on the moon and beyond.
Melanie Coathup
Director of UCF’s 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 UCF-led study aboard Blue Origin’s 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’s research develops strategies to counteract these risks and protect astronauts on future missions.
Terraforming Mars
Accomplished UCF physics researcher and planetary scientist Ramses Ramirez and collaborators have boldly reimagined terraforming Mars by using the planet’s 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
UCF research doesn’t stop at the lab — it moves into action. Our centers and facilities are where students, faculty and industry partners collaborate to accelerate discovery and design what’s next in space exploration.
Engineering Faster Hypersonic Travel
Kareem Ahmed, UCF 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 UCF’s 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 UCF’s Stephen W. Hawking Center, leads programs giving students hands-on microgravity research experience.
Other Notable UCF Institutes and Affiliations
- Astrophotonics Research Group
- Center for Advanced Turbomachinery & Energy Research
- Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science
- Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to UCF
- Florida High Tech Corridor, anchored by UCF
- Florida Space Institute
- Institute for Simulation and Training
- Townes Laser Institute
Partnerships That Advance the Space Industry
Located just 35 miles from Florida’s Space Coast, UCF connects directly to the nation’s leading aerospace companies, space agencies and innovators. Our partnerships fuel research, technology and talent that strengthen Florida’s economy and shape the nation’s space future.
Through collaboration with NASA, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and others, UCF helps develop the systems, data and workforce driving the next era of exploration. These relationships don’t just keep pace with industry — they define what comes next. Together, we’re daring to invent the future.
Other Notable Space Partners
NASA: Powering Discovery and the Space Workforce
TFor more than six decades, UCF has been a trusted NASA partner — 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’s mission to explore beyond Earth.
29% of Kennedy Space Center Employees are UCF alumni
providing in-demand talent for space exploration
Blue Origin: Experimenting at the Edge of Space
UCF’s 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 UCF 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 UCF, the same relentless spirit that launched our mission still drives everything we do. Space is no longer just a frontier — it’s the foundation of a global economy projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. And from right here in Central Florida, America’s Space University is helping power that momentum.
By linking research, policy and industry, UCF is fueling the next wave of space commercialization — 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’s White House liaison team and its Agency Review Team. At UCF, he’s connecting world-class research and talent with a fast-growing industry that’s redefining what’s possible beyond Earth.
…We already have world-class researchers, direct connections to the space industry and this unique location. I want students to come to UCF knowing they can participate in an industry that’s about to take off, no matter what field they’re interested in. This is the place to be.”
Fueling the Space Talent Pipeline
As Florida’s premier university for engineering, technology and innovation, UCF develops the talent that powers the space industry. Our graduates enter the workforce ready to lead — equipped with the skills, experience and ambition to drive discovery, exploration and progress at every level.
1 in 4 of Florida’s Engineering Graduates Come from UCF
making UCF the driving force behind the state’s 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 — and they become the next generation of leaders…”
Degrees Powering the Future of Space Exploration
At America’s Space University, learning happens everywhere — in labs, classrooms and through collaboration that spans every discipline. Whether your path is coding, research, design or leadership, there’s a degree that fits. You’ll learn from industry-leading experts and gain hands-on experience that prepares you to shape humanity’s future in space. The sky is no longer the limit for where a UCF education can take you.
Design Systems & Develop Tech
Advance Innovation With Data
Lead Talented Teams Forward
UCF Space Week Events
UCF Missions Forging the Future of Space
