UCF marks the start of its second UCF Space Week on Oct. 25, a university‑wide celebration that honors the school’s origins in 1963 and its ongoing role in space research, the Florida space economy and the preparation of future explorers, engineers and entrepreneurs. The event highlights the university’s contributions to the industry, including more than 14 experiments launched on commercial rockets since 2016 and a talent pipeline that draws thousands of students each year into hands‑on learning, interdisciplinary research and programs such as aerospace medicine.
UCF’s academic strengths are reflected in national rankings that place it among the top five schools for bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science, and at No. 10 for engineering degrees overall, the highest in Florida. Faculty research featured during the week includes studies on aging in space by Professor Michal Masternak, NASA’s Lunar‑VISE mission led by Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Adrienne Dove, and photonics work by Professor Stephen Eikenberry aimed at detecting Earth‑like planets.
The celebration also showcases partnerships with organizations such as Blue Origin, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, Verizon, Space Florida and SpaceX, as well as collaborations with NASA and other government and private entities. On Sept. 9 the university announced a partnership with the U.S. Space.
Press release issued by UCF Today:
https://www.ucf.edu/news/why-does-ucf-celebrate-space-week/
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