Texas A&M Space

Texas A&M is a space-grant university with a long history of conducting basic and applied research and workforce development in space exploration. Our faculty are at the forefront of earth and planetary sciences, human space-flight research and planetary surface engineering and construction. Scientists and engineers from Texas A&M worked on all NASA rover missions to Mars, and two scientists are active on NASA’s Perseverance Rover Team.

Visit the Texas A&M Space Institute Site

To ensure Texas’s leadership in space exploration, the Texas A&M Space Institute brings together support, resources and visionary ideas. By leveraging the expertise of Texas A&M’s distinguished faculty, the Institute aims to drive pioneering research and innovation, establishing Texas as the global leader in advancing humanity’s future in space.

Mission

To escalate the economic growth and technological innovation of Texas and the U.S. in space exploration by providing a responsive and dynamic space curriculum, world-class research and technology transition.

Vision

Texas A&M is committed to leading the future of space exploration. We are becoming a recognized hub and center of excellence for human and robotic space exploration by leveraging expertise, laboratories and facilities, strategic partnerships, and resources to foster new discoveries, technological innovations, and a next-generation workforce that benefits Texas and society.

Goals

One:

Establish

Establish Texas A&M as a go-to institution and national leader for space-related capabilities including research, technological developments, policy and workforce development.

Two:

Advance

Advance space research in focus areas of national and commercial priority and establish strong collaborations with space agencies/institutes and private launch and space operations companies.

Three:

Build

Build state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities to facilitate current and future space-related research.

Four:

Integrate

Integrate disciplinary expertise across Texas A&M to enable faculty, researchers, and students to shape the future of space exploration by leading new space missions; developing supporting instruments, tools, and facilities; and developing new concepts and frameworks.

Five:

Manage

Build a state-of-the-art robotic mission operation center to manage a portfolio of NASA’s existing missions, other universities’ missions, and new space missions led by Texas A&M.

At a Glance

University Research Info

Triple Designation
As a land-grant, space-grant and sea-grant university
$1.278
Billion
Total research expenditures in FY23
#14
Public university in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation’s HERD Survey for FY22
92
Doctoral programs
More Than55
Current members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine on the faculty
More Than77,000
Enrolled Students across all campuses
At a Glance

Space Exploration Research Info

12+
Colleges or schools conducting space-related research
316
Active projects
430+
Former Students work at NASA
$154
Million
In funding
Collaborates
With other universities, the aerospace industry and government agencies

Faculty and Research Scientists

Texas A&M University employs more than 280 space scientists and investigators, and Texas A&M is the only university in the nation with four astronauts on the faculty:

Dr. Gregory E. Chamitoff

Dr. Nancy J. Currie-Gregg

Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar

Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80

Major Space Related Facilities

Texas A&M researchers have access to some of the nation’s most technologically advanced facilities to support their work in space exploration research and new facilities are on the horizon. The Texas Legislature awarded $200 million to The Texas A&M University System to build facilities next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center to support Texas A&M and other system schools in space research and technology development.