Texas A&M Breaks Ground on New Space Institute

  • By Matt Jones
  • 11/21/24

The Texas A&M University Space Institute recently broke ground next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, according to a news release. The Nov. 15 groundbreaking ceremony followed the Nov. 7 approval by the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents of $200 million for the facility’s construction. The building will stand four stories and include research “garages” for research, lab space, classrooms, administrative space, and an auditorium, according to local news.

“This new $200 million facility, here next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, will support training for missions, including simulated landings on the moon and Mars, as well as advanced research and development in aeronautics, robotics, and other fields,” said Bill Mahomes, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents chairman. “The facility will be vital for partnerships, both research and commercial, that help Texas businesses as well as NASA stay at the forefront of the final frontier.”

The facility’s ultimate purpose is to place the university at the forefront of space engineering research and train students to meet the industry’s growing demand for professionals.

“Texas A&M officially added ‘space-grant university’ to our mission 35 years ago and we’re proud of all that has been accomplished by our world-class faculty over the years since then,” said Texas A&M President General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III. “Thanks to generous support from the state Legislature, this new institute will significantly elevate the university’s reputation as a global leader in space research, aeronautics and innovation, drawing attention from academia, government and private industry worldwide.”

According to local news, the building will cover 32 acres and include landscapes that recreate the surfaces of Mars and the moon, each the size of a football stadium.

The new facility will play a role in Mars exploration, lunar missions, and simulations for living on Mars and the moon. Its research facilities will also go toward developing technology like space suits, rovers, landers, and more, according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

  • Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

    Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market.

  • Clemson to Launch North America’s Largest College Campus Smart Parking Program

    Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., recently announced a partnership with smart parking and curbside management solutions provider eleven-x to launch a smart parking initiative for its population of 29,000 students and faculty, according to a news release.

Digital Edition