Reaching New Horizons in Space Exploration Studies
Space exploration impacts our daily life — from technology advancement to medical research to scientific discoveries. Two of the astronauts who launched into space are UCF alumni: Nicole Stott ’92MS and the late Fernando “Frank” Caldeiro ’95MS. For over 50 years, the university has played a big role in educating future engineers, administrators and space explorers — something we will continue over the next 50 years and more.
At the Forefront of Space Exploration
America’s Destination for Space Science
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the country’s gateway to the universe, is only 35 miles away from UCF’s main campus. Here, faculty and students have the opportunity to partake in cutting-edge efforts. In fact, UCF has had more interns than any other university at KSC. The opportunity provides students with on-the-job training, soft-skills development, and involvement in research. Some go on to convert their internships into jobs after graduation. As students look to the stars and see endless possibilities, they’re reminded how the discoveries made today and tomorrow impact future generations to come.
Taking Space Research Above and Beyond
Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on our state, our nation — and outer space — ever since. The Florida Space Institute, based at UCF, is made up of researchers and educators from UCF in partnership with those at other State University System of Florida institutions. Many of these researchers are tied to major space missions exploring Pluto, Saturn, the Kuiper Belt, Mars, the moon, comets, asteroids, Jupiter and exoplanets.
UCF faculty are part of several NASA missions, including OSIRIS-REx and New Horizons. But our faculty aren’t the only ones doing research in space. UCF alumni have also gone on to take giant leaps in the space industry with companies such as NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Experiments sent to space since 2019 aboard Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic rockets
NASA projects with UCF involvement
as of Oct. 2022
in NASA awards since 1991
as of Oct. 2022
Kennedy Space Center employees are UCF alumni
UCF researchers have asteroids named after them in recognition of their work.
The planet UCF researchers discovered and named in 2012
(Photo by Bill Stafford)
Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Stott ’92
Two space shuttle missions. A three-month stay on the International Space Station. The 10th woman to perform a spacewalk. Nicole Stott ’92 broke barriers during her time as an astronaut. From her start as an operations engineer at Kennedy Space Center, she held different positions before achieving what once seemed like a far-fetched idea: becoming an astronaut. After her last mission, Stott led several groups at NASA before stepping aside to try something new: Inspiring students to blend art with science. While sharing her love of both subjects, she spreads a motivational message that “this is our planet, and we need to take care of it.”
UCF’s relationship with NASA is really providing a reservoir of scientific talent that enables the goals of our space program. That kind of talent is not found in most universities in the country.”
Reputation for Research Excellence
UCF’s reputation opens the doors to unique instruments such as the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. Hubble and Spitzer give us unprecedented views into the galaxy — now our faculty are among the first to conduct advanced research using the James Webb space telescope. UCF also manages the U.S. National Science Foundation Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Even though the main dish collapsed in 2020, scientists are conducting research with the extensive data already collected. Other parts of the observatory are operating, and UCF is working with stakeholders to ensure the facility’s scientific legacy continues.
Research Projects Aimed at Returning the U.S. to the Moon
When the U.S. returns humans to the moon in the coming years, there’s a good chance that UCF research will have played a role in the return, whether from landing there safely, harvesting its resources, or training the next generation of space scientists.
The university currently has more than a dozen projects aimed at getting people back to the moon safely. The projects range from reducing the harmful effects of lunar dust to protect equipment and astronauts to developing robotics, flying and landing space craft, and mining fuel to run it all.
The work is important because the moon can be a staging ground for future space missions, such as visiting Mars or asteroids, and its ice could be turned to water that’s used to hydrate astronauts or converted into hydrogen and oxygen as fuel for rockets.
Leaders in Space Exploration
From the start of studying space to the items left on the moon and the future of space exploration, our renowned faculty and student researchers share their knowledge and expertise. Learn about the impact that space research has made here on planet Earth and discover what’s still to come.
UCF Space News
UCF is America’s Space University
With innovative research in physics and planetary science, UCF professors are developing the science and tech to get us back to the moon, Mars and beyond.
Space Degrees
As new space programs continue to take off from the Central Florida region and beyond, students have an opportunity to break into this exciting industry with a number of space degrees offered at UCF.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Best bachelor’s degrees for a career in space exploration and research
Graduate Degrees
Top master’s and doctoral degrees for advancement in the space industry
Business Degrees
Leading business degrees that can be applied to the space field
UCF Online Degrees
Nationally recognized online space degree programs
Rankings and Accreditations
Top 20 Most Innovative University in the Nation
U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF as one of the most innovative in its annual list of best colleges.
Top 15 Best Atomic/Molecular Physics Schools
U.S. News & World Report ranked UCF as one of the best Atomic/Molecular Physics schools in the nation.
Best Undergraduate Engineering Program
University of Central Florida is ranked No. 75 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The Bachelor of Science programs in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Creating Stellar Connections
Throughout Florida and the nation, UCF has built a number of relationships with partners who share similar values — striving toward excellence in any endeavor they may undertake. NASA is an example of one such partnership. The university is participating in several major NASA planetary missions and has the Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science. Having established programs in space and planetary sciences, UCF has significant input into the nation’s space program. The partnership allows leading researchers at both NASA and UCF to ensure that robotic and human missions are done safely and efficiently.
Nearby Central Florida Research Park is also home to over 120 companies and serves as a hub for the nation’s military simulation and training programs. With its close proximity to UCF’s main campus, researchers and students have an opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders — working together on projects in the sciences, engineering, photonics and optics, and modeling and simulation.
Space Companies Employing UCF Graduates
- NASA
- Boeing
- SpaceX
- Blue Origin
- Virgin Atlantic
- L3Harris Technologies
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman
- Siemens
- JPL
- Made in Space
Institutes, Associations and Affiliations
- Florida Space Institute
- Unmanned Aerial Systems Research
- Florida High Tech Corridor
- Institute for Simulation and Training
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FIEA (Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy)
- Townes Laser Institute
- Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC)
