The new center will provide resources and support for over 35 UTSA researchers and more than 200 students engaged in space technology research and career training. Focus areas will include uncrewed spacecraft, lunar surface habitation, hypersonics, and propulsion systems. CSTOR aligns with UTSA's mission to attract leading talent through its faculty hiring plan, funded by the UT System Board of Regents' Research Excellence Program.
"UTSA has intentionally expanded its capacity, facilities and expertise in space technology to meet the rapidly growing demand for innovation and enable stronger comprehensive partnerships with key organizations like Southwest Research Institute and Department of Energy National Labs," said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. "The launch of this new center positions UTSA as a destination for innovation, knowledge creation and talent development for the space economy."
The launch coincides with significant federal and state policy efforts supporting space exploration. In 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the National Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy, underscoring the critical role of cislunar space in diplomacy, national security, and research development. In 2024, Texas established the Texas Space Commission to further the state's leadership in space exploration and innovation.
"We may not always think about space technology as being integral to national security," Silva said, "but when you consider the fact that our daily lives rely on satellites for GPS services, telecommunications and weather forecasting, it's clear that cislunar space is a linchpin in our national defense. Our new center is poised to leverage UTSA expertise to strengthen national security and Texas leadership in the emerging trillion-dollar cislunar economy."
Beyond national defense, satellites also play a key role in commercial industries, including agriculture, logistics, and energy. They can provide insights into environmental factors, monitor freshwater levels, and deliver early warnings for natural disasters such as floods and wildfires.
The global space economy is expanding rapidly. According to a 2022 McKinsey and Company report, the industry is projected to grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035. Key drivers include advances in cost-effective launches led by companies operating in Texas, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Firefly. This growth will also impact the aerospace job market, which is expected to see a 6% increase in U.S. aerospace engineering roles by 2033.
CSTOR will focus on technological advancements in areas where UTSA already excels, including advanced chemical propulsion, nuclear thermal propulsion fuels, lunar operations, secure satellite communications, and atmospheric reentry systems. The university is also recognized for its expertise in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics, neuromorphic AI, semiconductor devices, and energy systems tailored for extreme environments.
UTSA's space capabilities are further strengthened by its specialized research facilities, such as the Hypersonics Lab, Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments, and the Planetary Material CHaractErization Facility (PMCHEF). Additional facilities include the Wireless Next Generation Systems Laboratory, the Extreme Environments Materials Laboratory, and the Unmanned Systems Lab.
CSTOR will collaborate with UTSA's National Security Collaboration Center to advance secure technologies and systems critical to space missions. The center will also work alongside existing UTSA institutes, including the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute, Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, and the NSF CREST Center for Security and Privacy Enhanced Cloud Computing.