Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university’s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field.

With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos.

±«°äąó’s cutting-edge areas of space expertise include:

Space Medicine

±«°äąó’s College of Medicine is pioneering new frontiers in aerospace medicine, positioning itself as a leader in space health research and education. Spearheaded by initiatives to create an interdisciplinary curriculum, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is integrating expertise from engineering, medicine and nursing to address the unique health challenges of space exploration.

The college is building on existing research in space health, including innovative studies on the effects of microgravity on bone health, which could lead to improved protection for astronauts. Collaborations across disciplines, such as testing therapeutics for radiation protection and developing antimicrobial solutions for space station environments, highlight ±«°äąó’s commitment to advancing astronaut health and shaping the future of space medicine.

Space Propulsion and Power

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is advancing space propulsion with groundbreaking research that could make space travel more efficient and viable for future missions. Researchers are developing innovative hypersonic propulsion systems, such as rotating detonation rocket engines, which harness high-speed detonations to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption — an advancement that could significantly lower costs and emissions associated with space travel, creating new commercial opportunities in the industry. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is taking its hypersonics research even further with its recently launched Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion — the HyperSpace Center.

Additionally, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ teams are exploring novel power systems for spacecraft venturing far from the sun, where solar energy becomes impractical. With funding from NASA, researchers are creating storable chemical heat sources capable of providing essential heat and power in extreme environments, from the icy surfaces of distant moons to the intense heat of Venus.

Space Technology and Engineering

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is forging the future of space technology with innovations that push the boundaries of lunar and deep space exploration. Through advancements in lunar resource utilization, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ has developed methods to efficiently extract ice from lunar soil so that it can be transformed into vital resources like water and rocket fuel, while new techniques for processing lunar soil drastically reduce construction costs for infrastructure such as landing pads.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers are also pioneering 3D-printed bricks made from lunar regolith that withstand extreme space conditions, setting the foundation for resilient off-world habitats. Lunar regolith is the loose dust, rocks and materials that cover the moon’s surface.

±«°äąó’s Exolith Lab, part of the , continues to lead in space hardware testing, advancing resource extraction and lunar construction technologies. Meanwhile, FSI’s CubeSat program is opening new doors in space exploration with compact, affordable satellites that give students and researchers access to microgravity and beyond.

Space Commercialization

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝’s new space commercialization program — led by , College of Business professor of practice and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy — positions the university as a leader in space-related business education.

Autry will guide the college’s efforts to deliver Executive and MBA programs in space commercialization, driving curriculum development and establishing space-focused programs that equip students to lead in the growing commercial space industry.

In addition to the space commercialization program, Autry will be working with external stakeholders, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force and commercial firms like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, to develop opportunities to advance mutual interests in space.

This includes working with Kennedy Space Center to lead a State University System partnership with the state of Florida to develop the necessary talent to maintain and expand Florida’s leadership in space exploration and commercialization.

Autry will also be leading ±«°äąó’s effort to develop and execute a roadmap for the university’s SpaceU brand through targeted investments in talent and facilities.

Space Domain Awareness

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is advancing space domain awareness research to protect critical assets in orbit by developing sophisticated algorithms for tracking and predicting the movement of objects such as satellites and asteroids, so they don’t collide with spacecraft. Under the guidance of aerospace engineering expert Tarek Elgohary, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers are creating a computational framework to rapidly and accurately track space objects in real time. This initiative is backed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dynamic Data and Information Process Program.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is also addressing the growing issue of orbital debris through a NASA-funded study that includes researchers from ±«°äąó’s FSI and . This project seeks to increase public awareness and support for managing space debris, a hazard to satellites and potential space tourism ventures.

Workforce Development

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is propelling students toward dynamic careers in the space industry with hands-on programs and sought-after internship opportunities. Through the new engineering graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, developed in collaboration with NASA, students are gaining essential skills in testing and evaluating space-ready electronic components — a key advantage for aspiring space professionals.

Additionally, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ students can benefit from hands-on internships at Kennedy Space Center, where they gain real-world experience in various fields, from engineering to project management.

At the , students gain direct experience in microgravity research and robotics. The center embodies ±«°äąó’s commitment to democratizing space access, offering pathways for students from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the growing space industry.

FSI’s CubeSat program further immerses students in satellite design and operation, offering direct involvement in active space missions.

Planetary Science

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝’s planetary science program is driving breakthroughs in space exploration with projects spanning the moon, Mars and beyond. The NASA-funded Lunar-VISE mission, led by Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝, will explore the Gruithuisen domes on the far side of the moon to understand their volcanic origins, potentially unlocking insights crucial for future space exploration.

Complementing this, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers are contributing to NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission, which will map water ice deposits on the moon — an essential resource for sustained stays in space. On another front, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ scientists are studying dust behavior in microgravity through experiments that flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, potentially leading to strategies for mitigating lunar dust, a challenge for electronics and equipment on future missions.

Expanding its reach beyond the moon, ±«°äąó’s planetary science research involves asteroid studies, including the high-profile OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu and examining seismic wave propagation in simulated asteroid materials to understand asteroid evolution and early planetary formation. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is also home to the , a node of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which facilitates NASA’s exploration of deep space by focusing its goals at the intersection of surface science and surface exploration of rocky, atmosphereless bodies.

Additionally, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers are studying trans-Neptunian objects and using the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the solar system’s outer reaches, analyzing ancient ices to uncover clues about the solar system’s history, while also investigating exoplanets to advance our understanding of other planets and to search for life beyond Earth.

In parallel, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers are also advancing bold ideas for terraforming Mars through nanoparticle dispersion to create warming effect, making the Red Planet potentially more habitable.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ researchers have also contributed their expertise to multiple high-profile NASA missions, including Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Curiosity, and New Horizons.

Advancing Astrophotonics, History and Policy

±«°äąó’s space research spans pioneering astrophotonics technology, studies in space history and critical analyses in space policy, each offering unique insights into the universe. The within CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is pushing the boundaries of photonics and astronomy, using tools like photonic lanterns, fiber optics, and hyperspectral imaging to detect cosmic phenomena and address profound questions about dark energy.

Meanwhile, delves into space history, exploring the cultural and scientific impacts of milestones like the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle program, helping illuminate humanity’s journey into space.

The contributes to this comprehensive approach with its broad studies of space policy, both domestically and internationally, including examining military space policy and rising space powers. The work involves studying space law, international agreements, and policy frameworks that guide space activities, which is essential for addressing the governance and strategic planning needed for space exploration and utilization.

Pioneering Tomorrow’s Space Exploration

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is pushing the frontiers of space research and education, tackling today’s challenges while preparing for the demands of future space missions. As the new space race continues, ±«°äąó’s forward-thinking approach will continue to drive progress, inspire new possibilities and expand humanity’s reach into the universe.

That is the lasting legacy of one of ±«°äąó’s original founders, who literally helped name the streets that ring ±«°äąó’s main campus. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year — and Bledsoe has been here for the majority of those years. Bledsoe opened the former Department of History and Political Science in 1968 at what was then Florida Technological University (FTU).

Fifty-five years later, the groundwork laid by Bledsoe has evolved into a world-recognized School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs.  And over the decades Bledsoe has picked up seven college and university teaching and advising awards as he took on administrative roles including department chair.

Bledsoe prefers to measure his success, though, in the thousands of thriving careers he’s helped nurture across the decades. Countless students have crossed his classroom to soak up his expertise in areas including international law, environmental law, space law, world political geography and global perspectives.

“My legacy is my students who have graduated,” he says. “As long as they’re better at the end than they were at the beginning, then I think that we’ve accomplished something.”

While today’s Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ looks nothing like its origins, the vision of Bledsoe and early founders remains unchanged: “Emphasizing the individual is how you optimize the learning experience.”

Forging the Foundation for a University of the Future

Bledsoe’s story began at ±«°äąó’s inception. Back in the mid ’60s, Bledsoe was a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida and decided to apply to a brand-new university in Orlando — Florida Technological University. He jumped on the opportunity to support a new institution.

When he arrived at FTU in 1968, it was primarily a small, commuter college. When Bledsoe gathered with a small group in a parking lot to form the first Student Government Association, the cops showed up thinking they were up to no good. Needless to say, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ has significantly changed into a busy college town with plenty to do.

Bledsoe was tasked with creating a new political science major that would serve students interested in going to law school. At age 28 and still finishing his Ph.D., he found himself writing the original course catalog and ordering the first library books for the political science major. He also juggled teaching 20 courses and independent studies.

Bledsoe thrived on having the freedom to invent things and lay the groundwork for a new department at a new university: “When FTU opened its doors, we had no tradition. So we invented it. There weren’t any rules, so we had a lot of freedom to fly by the seat of our pants.”

Those early years were focused on serving his students’ needs, regardless of how much he had on his plate. His “can do” attitude stayed with him throughout the years as he took on new roles at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝.

Occasionally he would field other job offers but Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ was home for Bledsoe and he never moved anywhere else. He shared ±«°äąó’s commitment to student success and, as the years passed, he enjoyed seeing the fruits of his hard work.

Looking Back on the Evolution of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ — and Onto the Future

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ and its neighboring communities are nearly unrecognizable compared to Bledsoe’s first impressions of FTU. But the pioneer spirit and scrappy attitude of the university’s early days has outlasted presidents, mascots and buildings.

“A lot of that initial legacy is still here,” Bledsoe says.

Today, the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs has over 1,200 students while Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is the largest U.S. university by enrollment — and it wouldn’t be where it is today without Bledsoe. He is proud of what the school has become and the way it has expanded its reach to the international community.

At the end of the day, Bledsoe’s hope for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ă˝ is that it continues serving the needs of students while empowering them with a lifelong love of learning. And even though he retires this month, his legacy will live on for years to come.

“Showing students that you care motivates them to achieve great things,” Bledsoe says.