Strategic Initiative: Space Sciences and National Security

Space Sciences and National Security

As competition between nations escalates, space has become the new arena for global power and technological dominance. Once a realm of exploration, space is now essential to military readiness, secure communications, critical infrastructure, and economic resilience. The University of Arizona is ready for this moment.

Meeting a Critical National Priority

With longstanding leadership in space science, cutting-edge research in quantum technologies and photonics, and strong industry partnerships, the U of A offers rare expertise in hypersonics, quantum networks, satellite communications, and advanced materials.

At this turning point, the U.S. must act quickly to build space-based strength, safeguard national interests, and outpace emerging threats. Located in a hub for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, the university is uniquely positioned to help the U.S. lead in space-based defense and innovation.

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Strategic Superiority

Arizona's strengths in space research, defense, and innovation will help secure U.S. dominance, counter emerging threats, and build resilience in critical infrastructure and national defense.

Arizona’s Moment: Ready to Lead

The University of Arizona is redefining what’s possible in space defense and national security through transdisciplinary research and hands-on application. With expertise across astronomy, planetary science, engineering, law, and more, the U of A is building a new foundation for secure, sustainable space operations.

Through this initiative, the university will enhance U.S. resilience and superiority in critical space systems, while fostering economic growth through a thriving space and defense innovation economy. Arizona’s role as a global leader in cutting-edge technology and international collaboration will expand, and the institute will develop a diverse, highly skilled workforce prepared to serve the nation’s defense and intelligence communities.

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Economic Growth

Space innovation will fuel high-paying jobs, launch new industries, and strengthen national and state economies for decades to come.

Building a Hub for Space Innovation

The Space and National Security Institute at the University of Arizona will serve as a powerful hub to advance the technologies, talent, and strategic partnerships essential to safeguarding America’s leadership in space. By uniting world-class scientific expertise with a robust innovation ecosystem, the institute is positioned to tackle urgent national security needs and accelerate breakthrough solutions in space-based defense.

New initiatives, partnerships, and programs are equipping Arizona to become the epicenter of modern space defense—accelerating research, workforce training, and commercialization.

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Global Leadership

By connecting defense innovation with international collaboration, Arizona is shaping the future of peaceful, secure use of space technologies around the world.

In the News

A group of six professionals stands in front of an industrial research setup with metal pipes, wiring, and machinery. The team members wear a mix of business casual and professional attire, with some dressed in polo shirts, blazers, and button-down shirts. A sign in the background reads 'ABSOLUTELY NO STORAGE BELOW,' emphasizing the safety precautions in the high-tech facility.

Breaking speed barriers for stronger defense and industry growth

March 24, 2025

A U of A effort to make hypersonic vehicles faster and more affordable is getting $3.1 million from the U.S. Army. The project will bring the Army closer to deploying Mach-X vehicles.

Read more at University of Arizona News

Old Main building on the UArizona campus

U of A astronomer Erika Hamden named to Arizona Space Commission

Feb. 14, 2025

Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Hamden, a renowned expert on ultraviolet telescopes, to the commission to help shape Arizona's role in aerospace and space sciences.

Read more at University of Arizona News

An artist's concept of the Pandora mission, seen here without the thermal blanketing that will protect the spacecraft, observing a star and its transiting exoplanet.

NASA's Pandora mission one step closer to probing alien atmospheres, with mission operations based at U of A

Jan. 16, 2025

The exoplanet mission, which will study of at least 20 known planets orbiting distant stars, has cleared an important milestone with the completion of its spacecraft bus.

Read more at University of Arizona News

More Space and National Security News

Our Goals

Advance research & innovation: Drive breakthroughs in satellite communications, quantum networks, AI-enabled space systems, and resilient photonics.
Develop the workforce: Train tomorrow’s defense engineers, scientists, and space lawyers through immersive education and real-world application.
Catalyze public-private partnerships: Collaborate with national defense agencies, industry leaders, and space-focused organizations to fast-track development and deployment.
Scale impact: Leverage university infrastructure, including Tech Launch Arizona and industry alliances, to translate space innovation into national strength and economic value.

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Meet Our Team

Our renowned faculty are advancing the frontiers of secure space exploration and defense.

Daniel Apai

Associate Dean for Research, College of Science

Professor, Astronomy and Planetary Science

Vishnu Reddy

Director, Space4

Professor, Lunar & Planetary Lab

Erika Hamden

Director of the Space Institute

Associate Professor of Astrophysics

Alex Craig

Assistant Professor, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Jekan Thanga

Head of SpaceTREx

Associate Professor, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Robert Furfaro

Deputy Director of Engineering, Space4

Professor, Systems and Industrial Engineering

Andrew Woods

Director, TechLaw

Milton O. Riepe Professor of Law

More Space and National Security News

The Large Binocular Telescope stands tall above the treetops.

NSF funds University of Arizona effort to sharpen view of the cosmos

July 16, 2025

The project enhances LBT’s visible-light capabilities, advancing U.S. leadership in next-gen astronomy

An emissary from interstellar space

July 9, 2025

Discovered only a week ago, comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third known visitor from outside the solar system. U of A astronomer Carson Fuls explains what makes the comet special – and why we can only guess where it came from.

Read more at University of Arizona News

weather sensors standing on towers in a small field

How the U of A's Arizona Meteorological Network feeds data to the National Weather Service

July 8, 2025

The information is valuable to agriculture, public safety and urban planners and even contributes to the weather app on your phone.

Read more at University of Arizona News

With a highly reflective, silvery surface, the Rubin Observatory's main mirror acts both as its primary and tertiary light-collecting surface.

U of A astronomers celebrate first look at the universe from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

June 24, 2025

The first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory mark a proud milestone for the University of Arizona, whose Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab is the only facility in the world capable of crafting the telescope's unique mirror.

Read more at University of Arizona News

A rendering showing what the Giant Magellan Telescope will look like at nighttime, once completed. The enclosure is opened for nighttime observation, while the Milky Way rises behind the mountains.

Giant Magellan Telescope advances to National Science Foundation final design phase

June 23, 2025

Built with mirrors manufactured by the University of Arizona, one of the world's largest optical telescopes clears key milestone toward U.S. federal construction support.

Read more at University of Arizona News

The James Webb Space Telescope reveals details of the structure and composition of the nebula as well as dozens of background galaxies.

U of A earns top marks in space science, geosciences, water resources in new US News global ranking

June 17, 2025

The U of A earned its best ranking in the space science category, rising four spots to No. 4 globally and No. 2 among U.S. public universities.

Read more at University of Arizona News