C-STARS will spearhead workforce development programs to cultivate the next generation of professionals in space technologies, sciences, and exploration.
Florida, a hub of space activity, hosts over 17,000 space-related companies that significantly contribute to the local economy. Last year, nearly 70% of all U.S. orbital launches occurred at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, making it the country's busiest spaceport.
"This NSF planning grant allows the team to expand and deepen Embry-Riddle's research activities on space technologies," said Dr. Eduardo Rojas, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Embry-Riddle and site director. "We seek discoveries and technology development for space electronics that will both energize our space coast industry and bring new knowledge and opportunities to our students."
With the rapid rise in private sector investment and competition, the demand for space-manufactured products has surged, driving the new space economy. C-STARS aims to meet this demand, collaborating with Tennessee-based Oak Ridge Associated Universities to enhance outreach.
"Space manufacturing provides distinct advantages that cannot be replicated on Earth, enabling the production of novel and potentially higher-quality products," said Dr. Siobhan Malany, associate professor of pharmacodynamics at the UF College of Pharmacy and center director of C-STARS. "As space research becomes more accessible and affordable, commercial space companies will depend upon C-STARS' expertise to develop the necessary infrastructure and train their workforce to grow their space operations."
C-STARS has proposed several ambitious projects, including using lunar regolith (moon dust) to manufacture circuits on the moon, creating recyclable electronics to mitigate the 53 million metric tons of electronic waste generated annually worldwide, and developing advanced photonic electronics for biomedical sensors, all in space.
"One of our most important goals is to provide the next generation of students hands-on experience in the development of space systems," said Dr. Arthur Paolella, adjunct faculty in Electrical and Computer Engineering and co-principal investigator on the project.
A Pioneering Tradition
This collaboration continues Embry-Riddle's long-standing tradition of pioneering space research. Notable projects include a 2021 partnership with L3 Harris, where 3D-printed electronics created by Embry-Riddle students were launched into space. Earlier this year, a student team made history by sending EagleCam, a miniature satellite camera system, to the moon aboard a SpaceX rocket, marking the first university student-built project to reach the lunar surface.
Another camera system, LLAMAS (Literally Looking at More Astronauts in Space), is slated for launch to record the world's first spacewalk by a non-government-employed astronaut. LLAMAS was developed in collaboration with Embry-Riddle alumnus Jared Isaacman, who led SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission and will command SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission. Both EagleCam and LLAMAS teams were mentored by Dr. Troy Henderson, director of Embry-Riddle's Space Technologies Laboratory.
Faculty researchers like Dr. Amber Paul, chair of the Aerospace Physiology Department, contribute to NASA's Human Research Program by studying the effects of space on the human body. Dr. Aroh Barjatya, professor of Engineering Physics and director of the university's Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab (SAIL), recently launched rockets during a solar eclipse to study space weather and its impact on radio signals on Earth.
Embry-Riddle faculty have also secured substantial NASA funding, including $1.3 million for space weather studies and $2.25 million to develop new instruments for satellite and rocket missions.
Star Power
More than 50 aerospace, government, and industry partners are interested in collaborating with C-STARS to address space manufacturing challenges and develop solutions. Currently in the planning phase, the group will work with these partners to define their objectives and scope of work.
"C-STARS will enable companies to capitalize on this emerging market, helping them create or expand their space portfolios and grow their industry," said Dr. Jamie Foster, UF professor and the principal investigator for UF's C-STARS site. "New commercial space stations are in development that will enable new platforms and transportation mechanisms for those companies looking to expand their space portfolios. It's exciting that C-STARS will serve as the nucleus for growing this part of the space economy."
The four universities have identified six key research areas for their work. Embry-Riddle will lead the advanced manufacturing of wireless and bio-sensing electronics in space. UF will focus on health science research, including bioprinting, tissue engineering, and disease modeling, as well as bioenergy systems and artificial intelligence.
The universities will also create new corporate mentoring programs, curricula, certifications, and internship programs for students aiming to enter space careers.
If additional funding is secured from the NSF, C-STARS will commence its research projects in late 2025.
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