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University of Central Florida Gets $500K to Support NASA

The university was one of seven to receive a grant through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Research Initiative, which will support the Artemis program.

University of Central Florida NASA.jpg
Roger Brown, of Lockheed Martin inside the Orion Crew capsule Tuesday, June 1, 2010 a ground test article being built at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel
(TNS) — UCF is one of seven universities to receive a $500,000 grant to support NASA’s Artemis program.

NASA’s Artemis program wants to send people back to the moon and “create a robust presence there over the next decade,” according to a university press release.

UCF was eligible for NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Research Initiative (M-STAR) grant because it is a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Faculty with expertise in engineering, physics, and medicine will collaborate to support tech capabilities in many areas, including robotics, materials for extreme environments and landing.

Professor of Engineering Seetha Raghavan called the grant a big deal and mentioned it would directly benefit students and the space industry.

“The better prepared they are to creatively think, and problem solve, the better job prospects our graduates will have,” Raghavan said.

NASA already hosts many UCF graduates as the university leads the country in producing graduates for aerospace jobs, according to the press release.

At the Kennedy Space Center, around 30 percent of workers have a degree from UCF.

The group will work with Blue Origin, nanotechnology company imec and local industry, various NASA centers, and the Florida Space Grant Consortium as part of this grant.

©2021 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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