MSU receives $7.54 million for Space Science Center
As Morehead State University continues to make national news for the work of students and faculty in its space science programs, it will now have even more resources to continue its mission.
The MSU Space Science Center will receive a $7.54 million Community Project Funding earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05). The federal funding will provide payload operations for government and commercial space stations, allowing students to continue aerospace education and engineering in partnership with NASA and private space science companies.
"MSU launched this flagship mission more than 20 years ago, and today, students are working first-hand with the nation's leaders in aerospace technology for American space missions. I'm incredibly proud of our students and the innovative opportunities they have right here at home in the mountains," said Congressman Rogers, a cardinal member of the House Appropriations Committee. "Students at Morehead State University not only have a front row seat to NASA's lunar missions and deep space pioneering, but they also get to participate in these missions through coding and engineering, as a result of key investments like this Community Project Funding."
NASA recently selected MSU to track the historic Artemis II mission, which is scheduled to launch in March. Artemis II represents the first human lunar mission in 50 years and will carry humans farther away from Earth than any mission in history.
"At Morehead State University, we are incredibly proud to lead the way for space exploration and aerospace engineering, alongside the nation's premier private space tech companies and NASA," said MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan. "Thanks to Congressman Rogers' continued support and success in securing federal funds for student programs, we are now expanding capabilities and opportunities in our state-of-the-art Space Science Center."
Previously, Congressman Rogers secured a $10 million Community Project Funding earmark in 2024 for the Space Science Center to upgrade the University's two space tracking stations to support future government-funded and commercial space programs and broaden the region's highly competitive deep space network. In 2024, the NASA Administrator applauded MSU Space Science students and faculty for saving the public-private lunar mission after communications failed with the Odysseus Lander "Odie."
"This additional federal funding provides a significant gateway for our students to be an integral part of future historic space missions. Without the previous support, we would not have had the capability to support Artemis II," said Dr. Benjamin Malphrus, executive director of the MSU Space Science Center. "With Congressman Rogers' new support, MSU will be advancing our payload operations capabilities. We will upgrade our Mission Operations Center to support space-based payload operations for multiple missions simultaneously for both NASA and commercial ventures. We are leading the way for our students to do more research from the Appalachian Mountains with more advanced technology, alongside government and commercial leaders in aerospace."
Learn about Space Systems Engineering at MSU by contacting Dr. Malphrus at b.malphrus@moreheadstate.edu or calling 606-783-2212.
