Clemson University partners with NASA on research initiative

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Clemson University’s latest research initiative is out of this world.

Clemson University and NASA’s Johnson Space Center have signed a Space Act Agreement that opens the door to research and education opportunities aimed at advancing space exploration, according to a news release.

Johnson Space Center in Texas is home to America’s astronaut corps, NASA’s Mission Control Center, International Space Station operations and a team of scientists and engineers working on advances in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.

The agreement paves the way for Clemson faculty and NASA to identify and pursue mutual research that fosters innovation in aerospace engineering, space and Earth science, advanced materials, computer and data science, advanced manufacturing, human health in space, and numerous other fields, the release stated.

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NASA’s research interests align well with Clemson’s strengths in energy, advanced materials, health, robotics, mobility and autonomous systems, to name a few, and NASA has been an important sponsor of Clemson research already, the release stated.

A Clemson University faculty member is working on a NASA-sponsored project to help build stronger teams that can work effectively amid the rigors of space exploration, for example. Clemson has faculty members working on advanced materials that can withstand the extreme temperatures of space, AI-enabled drones for mapping and modeling, novel materials for spacecraft windows, and microbial fuel cells for space life-support systems, among other projects, according to the release.

“Strong relationships with agencies like NASA are essential to our efforts to pursue meaningful, impactful research projects that translate and align with agency goals,” said Tanju Karanfil, Clemson senior vice president for research, scholarship and creative endeavors, in the release. “This relationship enhances the student experience at Clemson and provides invaluable connections for students to pursue their dreams after graduation and for faculty to think boldly in their pursuit of discovery. I am excited to see where our faculty and our students take this opportunity because with NASA, the sky is not a limit.”