The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System have approved the creation of the Texas A&M Space Institute and the construction a Texas A&M facility next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The university says board’s action follows a $350 million allocation from the Texas Legislature. The measure provides $200 million to Texas A&M for construction of the facility at the Johnson Space Center. The purpose of the project in Houston is to ensure that Texas remains a leader in the field of space exploration, officials say. Scientists and other personnel at the facility will support mission training, aeronautics research, advanced robotics and work on lunar and Martian exploration.
“The Texas A&M Space Institute will make sure the state expands its role as a leader in the new space economy,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M System.
Texas A&M University employs four astronauts on the faculty. Also, scientists and engineers from Texas A&M have participated in all NASA rover missions to Mars; two scientists are active on NASA’s Perseverance Rover Team.
Texas A&M’s students, faculty and researchers are working on more than 300 space-related projects. Competitive funding awards at Texas A&M have come from NASA and other government agencies, as well as grants from the commercial space industry. They have exceeded $25 million per year for the last five years.
