NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tries on a virtual reality headset during a tour of CU 麻豆影院's new Aerospace Engineering Sciences Building. (Credit: Casey Cass/CU 麻豆影院)
Today, the latest addition to CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 legacy of space exploration received a prestigious launch countdown.
During a whirlwind visit to campus, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured CU 麻豆影院's new Aerospace Engineering Sciences Building, the new home of the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences. This roughly 175,000 square-foot facility will house researchers designing the next generation of toaster-sized satellites, hypersonic planes and more.
Alongside Bobby Braun, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, Bridenstine got a look at a lab for fabricating drones and robots and a spaceflight simulator. The visit was part of the lead up to the new building鈥檚 grand opening on Monday, Aug. 26, which is open to the media and the public.
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It also served as a showcase for the State of Colorado鈥檚 growing leadership in the race to explore the moon, Mars and beyond.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited about the role Colorado will play in the United States鈥� continuing leadership in space exploration,鈥� Bridenstine said. 鈥淣ASA partnerships with private companies and research organizations like CU 麻豆影院 are a model for the future and instrumental in helping us put the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024.鈥�
Bridenstine also met with CU 麻豆影院 leaders, including CU President Mark Kennedy, Chancellor Philip DiStefano and leaders in the aerospace industry.
鈥淥ur new aerospace building is an answer to a call to action from the state and the nation. Colorado鈥攁nd this new complex鈥攊s the hub of our nation鈥檚 space industry,鈥� DiStefano said. 鈥淲e are pleased Administrator Bridenstine could see how we are training the next generation of space scientists and employees鈥�
Braun agreed, noting that the new building鈥攁 $101 million investment鈥攚ill fit into CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 rapidly-growing 鈥渁erospace alley.鈥�
鈥淭his new home for our amazing aerospace engineering faculty, staff and students fits within an already-impressive legacy of space activity across our campus,鈥� Braun said. 鈥淭he science and technology developed right here in Colorado is enabling our nation鈥檚 future in space.鈥�
