Embry Riddle Joins Space Research Consortium

Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University joined NASA’s Kennedy Space Center director and other charter members in the Florida University Space Research Consortium to sign a memorandum of understanding in research and development to assist with missions and contribute to NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, according to a media release.

Officials from the consortium — designated in 2024 as the state’s official space research entity — NASA leaders and guests participated in the signing ceremony earlier this month at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. As the future of research and technology at Kennedy expands, the agreement marked a critical milestone in a partnership to advance research, technology development, education and communication between the spaceport and the state’s growing space industry, the release states.

The signing included Embry‑Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Dr. Alexander Cartwright, president of the University of Central Florida, and Dr. Kent Fuchs, interim president of the University of Florida. They were joined by Gov. Ron Desantis, Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and other members of the Florida state legislature, the release states.

“The formalization of the Florida University Space Research Consortium, in partnership with NASA Kennedy Space Center, will ensure Florida remains unmatched in space-related research, educational opportunities and workforce development,” Butler said in the release. “We’re excited to work with our partners at the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida to begin this new chapter in space research and exploration in partnership with Kennedy Space Center to enhance the state’s aerospace industry and are grateful for the unwavering support of Governor DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Nuñez.”

The creation of the consortium was the result of more than a year of effort by leaders at Kennedy, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida and Embry‑Riddle. The agreement highlights the partnership and serves as the official start to partnering activities, with Florida now the only state with a university consortium affiliated with one of NASA’s centers, according to the release.

“Through this agreement, NASA will benefit in new and exciting ways from our longtime partnership with the universities that make Florida shine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in the release. “As we move deeper into this golden era of space exploration, a new generation of thinkers and leaders will lead the way — thinkers and leaders like the researchers, faculty and students of the Artemis Generation, whom we are pleased to work with through the consortium.”

The mission of the consortium is to foster a symbiotic relationship between Kennedy and Florida’s universities to drive innovation in space exploration, research and technology through academic collaboration, joint projects and workforce development.

“The launch of the Florida University Space Research Consortium is a significant milestone for our state’s aerospace sector, bringing together our world-class education system with cutting-edge research and development,” Nuñez said in the release. “This consortium will undoubtedly further strengthen and deepen Florida’s position as the leader in the global aerospace economy.”