UT Center for Space Research

05/07/2026

Shout out to CSR alum Tim Crain, this year's featured speaker at Cockrell School of Engineering Commencement on May 8! 🎓🤘

Tim's leadership continues to shape the future of space exploration through his work at Intuitive Machines, and we're excited to see him inspire the next generation of engineers and inventors.

Commencement week is here, and so is our incredible speaker lineup! 🎓

From groundbreaking research to championship wins and creative excellence, this year’s keynote speakers bring powerful perspectives and undeniable Longhorn spirit. 🧡

Check out the full lineup here - https://utex.as/4tZBctU

04/23/2026

This Thursday 📣 Join us for a talk by Robert D. Braun, Ph.D., Space Exploration Sector Head at Johns Hopkins APL, on how autonomy is reshaping the future of spaceflight.
 
From Mars missions to deep space exploration, Dr. Braun will discuss the evolving balance between ground control and autonomous systems—and what it enables for the next generation of space missions.
 
📅 Thursday, April 23, 2026
🕒 3:30–5:00 pm
📍 ASE 1.126
 
Reception to follow ✨

04/17/2026

Congratulations to Srinivas Bettadpur and the newest members of the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni! Your achievements continue to inspire and elevate the engineering community. 🤘🚀

Celebrating excellence in aerospace and beyond 🤘🚀
 
We’re proud to welcome the newest members of the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni! The Class of 2026 was officially inducted on April 3rd at a special ceremonial banquet.
 
These outstanding alumni are recognized for their impactful careers, technical leadership, and dedication to advancing their fields and communities.
 
🌟 Srinivas Bettadpur
🌟 Curt von Braun
🌟 Vinci Felix
🌟 Gabe Garrett
🌟 Jalal Mapar
🌟 Daniel Neal
🌟 Robert Tachau
🌟 Nathan Vassberg
🌟 Posthumous Honoree: Eugene Ripperger
 
The sky is not the limit for these alumni and we are proud to call them !
 
🔗 Learn more about the Academy and explore their full bios at the link in our bio.

04/09/2026

The Center for Space Research (CSR) is excited to be a part of the UT System's space exploration efforts by translating knowledge into real-world impact through cutting-edge research and education.

04/07/2026

New rankings just dropped 💫
 
U.S. News & World Report () has ranked our Aerospace Engineering graduate program No. 8 in the nation! 🚀
 
The Cockrell School of Engineering also ranked No. 6 overall, with six programs in the top 10.
 
We’re proud to be among the top programs shaping the future of flight and space exploration—hook ’em! 🤘
 
See all rankings at the link in our bio.

04/07/2026

New rankings just dropped 🤘

U.S. News & World Report has ranked our graduate engineering program No. 6 in the nation! With six programs ranked in the top 10, we are proud of our Texas Engineers!

Read more: https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/where-does-texas-engineering-rank-among-top-graduate-programs/

03/31/2026

THIS FRIDAY 📢 Join us for Skills Beyond the Classroom and hear career insights from the Class of 2026 ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni and other aerospace industry leaders. 🚀
 
📅 Friday, April 3
⏰ 3–4:30 PM
📍 ASE 1.126
 
Come learn from leaders in the field and enjoy snacks while you’re there! RSVP by clicking the link in our bio ✨
 
Pictured: Class of 2025 ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni

03/31/2026

Congratulations to Professor Maruthi Akella on receiving the 2026 AIAA von Karman Lectureship Award in Aeronautics for his exceptional contributions to spacecraft guidance, control, and autonomous space systems! 🚀🤘

🚀 Congratulations to Professor Maruthi Akella, recipient of the 2026 AIAA von Kármán Lectureship Award in Astronautics, for his outstanding work in spacecraft guidance, control, and autonomous space systems.

He played a key role in the first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years and has been honored with asteroid 5376 “Maruthiakella” for his contributions to astrodynamics.
Akella will deliver his lecture at the AIAA ASCEND Forum on May 20 in Washington, D.C.

Follow the link to read more: https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/maruthi-akella-receives-2026-aiaa-von-karman-lectureship-award-in-astronautics/

03/06/2026

Excited to see this milestone highlighted by the Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin!

Nearly a decade ago, Burke Fort helped lead a The University of Texas at Austin and UTEP - The University of Texas at El Paso team that conducted an early feasibility study for a potential spaceport in the Azores - work that helped lay the groundwork for Portugal's first licensed space launch center.

A powerful example of how research partnerships can help shape the future of space infrastructure. 🚀

To Portugal and beyond 🚀 After nearly a decade of planning, Portugal officially licensed its first space infrastructure for operation in late 2025. This milestone was achieved with some help from partners across the pond in Texas. In 2017, Burke Fort, program manager at the University of Texas Ce...