NASA Partnership Formalized

Salisbury University students have new opportunities to reach for the stars thanks to a new Space Act Agreement signed between SU and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

The partnership is expected to provide enhanced experiential learning opportunities for SU students at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, VA, and to strengthen the pipeline for NASA involvement on campus, including the potential for guest speakers and participation in campus events such as job and career fairs.

“This occasion marks a momentous agreement between our institution and NASA Wallops, one that underscores the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines both of our organizations,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre.

“NASA Wallops has long been at the forefront of space exploration, pioneering breakthroughs that have expanded our understanding of the universe and inspired generations of scientists, engineers and dreamers. Similarly, SU has a proud tradition of academic excellence and a dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge across various disciplines.

“By joining forces, we are embarking on a journey that holds immense promise for the future. … From space exploration and technology development to environmental sustainability and beyond, our collaboration with NASA Wallops opens up new frontiers of discovery and innovation.”

While the agreement formalizes SU’s partnership with NASA, the organizations have a history of collaboration. In 2021, eight SU students designed and built a ThinSat that was launched from Wallops for delivery to the International Space Station. The small satellite relayed information to help determine thunderstorm impacts on the magnetic field in the lower thermosphere and to identify weather phenomena more difficult to detect with ground-based instruments.

“Our success at NASA, now and in the future, depends on a dynamic network of partnerships focused on our mission operations and growing the next generation of innovators,” said Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center director. “NASA’s partnership with Salisbury University expands our workforce development ecosystem and provides students with real-world experience in critical aerospace career fields.”