Grand Canyon Times

United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) has chosen the University of Arizona as the first member of its new Academic Engagement Enterprise (AEE), which aims to improve and increase research and innovation, as well as train future workers in fields related to space and national security.

In a Sept. 13 press release, the university announced it had been selected by USSPACECOM as the first partner for the new enterprise, which was established Sept. 1.

"With our long and well-established leadership and expertise in planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics and space technology, the University of Arizona is perfectly positioned to partner with and support the U.S. Space Command in many areas of research, operations and student engagement," University of Arizona President, Robert Robbins, said in the release.

Jekan Thanga, associate professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, said the establishment of the Academic Engagement Enterprise comes at an ideal time for the aerospace field.

"The expected wider expansion into space will require mastery in living and working within cislunar space," Thanga said in the release. "The university, through long experience-spanning space missions, technology and habitats, will be developing a multiprong education program and skillset that will equip USSPACECOM personnel to tackle these challenges."

Thanga said the university has long been a pioneer in space, so the partnership is natural.

"The University of Arizona has a rich history with NASA dating back to the 1960s, in which it has taken on some of the nation's toughest space challenges and delivered proven results to NASA," Thanga said. "In that same spirit, we seek to be problem solvers for the next wave of challenges that inevitably come with wider expansion into space."

Liesl Folks, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, spoke during the USSPACECOM Academic Fair Sept. 14 at West Point, New York.

"Space research has an important role at the University of Arizona, and we strive to contribute to trailblazing progress in space," Folks said in the release. "Space research at the University of Arizona is about students and faculty working on the frontiers, making eye-opening new discoveries, and inventing new space technologies that can propel us to the four corners of the solar system and (pave) the way for the future."

University officials believe the partnership will have many benefits.

"We are honored and delighted to offer our expertise," said Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, senior vice president of research and innovation at the university, said in the release. "Working jointly with USSPACECOM and collaborators within the AEE, we can ensure the future vitality of American national security and space operations."