NASA Leaders Visit Morehead State to Highlight Space Science Excellence

Morehead State University's growing impact in space science and aerospace education drew national attention as university leaders welcomed top NASA officials and federal policymakers to campus.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen and U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers visited Morehead State on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to highlight the University's Space Science Center, its partnership with NASA and its contributions to preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers and space professionals.

As chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, which funds NASA, Congressman Rogers invited Administrator Isaacman and Bowen to see the incredible work taking place at MSU’s Space Science Center.

Isaacman serves as NASA administrator and brings extensive experience as an entrepreneur, pilot and commercial astronaut. Before leading NASA, Isaacman commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight, and later commanded Polaris Dawn, during which he became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk.

Stephen Bowen is a NASA astronaut and veteran of human spaceflight. A former U.S. Navy submariner, Bowen has completed multiple missions to space and brings extensive experience from America’s human spaceflight program.

"Our team at the Space Science Center is incredibly excited to have NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Astronaut Stephen Bowen and Congressman Hal Rogers visit our R&D center,” said Space Science Center Executive Director Dr. Ben Malphrus. “This visit represents a milestone in the history of the Space Science Center, recognizing our contributions to NASA's lunar exploration initiatives.”

“America is setting new historic records in space exploration, thanks to public-private partnerships that advance NASA’s mission. Morehead State University has become a leading collegiate partner with NASA, giving our students access to opportunities that are out of this world,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “I’m incredibly proud of MSU’s Space Science program, and it’s always an honor to have NASA’s team in Eastern Kentucky.”

Isaacman shared NASA's plans for upcoming moon missions, including Artemis IV's objective to bring astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028 to construct NASA's first-ever moon base, which Isaacman said will serve as the "technical proving ground" to take NASA astronauts to Mars.

"After more than a half century, America is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon again," he said. "This time, we are not just going back for the flags and the footprints. We are going back to stay."

Isaacman and Bowen's appearance at Morehead State is part of a larger inspiration tour, in which NASA is visiting several college campuses to build excitement among students about space exploration. Isaacman also added that the faculty, staff, students and technological capabilities of Morehead State's space science program will continue to aid NASA in missions moving forward.

"This is one of the few locations, quite literally around the world, that can contribute to deep space network communications," he said. "The students here are going to have an opportunity to contribute that is really almost impossible to find anywhere else in the world."

Bowen, who was initially inspired to become an astronaut after NASA's Apollo moon landing, said now is an equally inspiring moment for aspiring space science, engineering and aerospace students, with the prospect of Earth becoming a civilization of space travelers on the horizon.

"I think one of the reasons I'm standing here today is because we did walk on the moon in 1969...All the engineers, the scientists, all the efforts, all the people who were inspired by that that became and changed the world...that was us," Bowen said. "Artemis generation, the challenge is up to you to continue that."

The address at the Adron Doran University Center ballroom featured remarks from Isaacman, Bowen and Rogers to MSU faculty, staff and students. During the program, Rogers made a special presentation of $7.5 million in federal funding for MSU’s space science program.

“We are particularly grateful for Congressman Rogers’ continued advocacy and investment in programs that create transformational opportunities for our students,” said MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan.

“Congressman Rogers’ continuing support of our work, having provided support for critical infrastructure for years, has been invaluable to our efforts. This support has led to a major rework of our 21-meter space tracking antenna to become one of the first NASA Lunar Exploration Ground Stations (LEGS) on the new NASA Near Space Network that will support lunar missions, including the Moon Base,” Malphrus said. “Having the Congressman, the NASA Administrator and Astronaut Bowen visit is a great credit to the outstanding work of our faculty, staff and students."

For more than two decades, Morehead State has built a nationally recognized space science program that combines classroom learning with hands-on participation in real-world aerospace projects. MSU has developed significant capabilities in satellite tracking, mission operations and space systems engineering through its work with NASA and commercial aerospace partners.

Learn about Space Systems Engineering at MSU by contacting Space Science Center Executive Director Dr. Ben Malphrus at b.malphrus@moreheadstate.edu or calling 606-783-2212.