FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAKING SPACE A NATIONAL PRIORITY—RECLAIMING AMERICA’S LEADERSHIP IN INNOVATION
Tucson, AZ and College Park, MD – September 2, 2025 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), together with its newly formed Air and Space Caucus, has officially submitted recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) urging that space and aerospace technologies be reinstated as a top national priority by including them in the NSF’s Key Technology Focus Areas.
AURP is a respected national non-profit organization of research parks and innovation districts that fuel American competitiveness and job creation. Its Air and Space Caucus convenes members, resident research groups plus the companies residing in these unique communities to advocate for policies that strengthen U.S. technological leadership and national defense. Read more here.
The NSF issued a Request for Information this June to gather feedback from stakeholders across sectors – from government and academic to private industry – on how to modernize and strengthen America’s focus on breakthrough technologies. See RFI.
In its response, AURP emphasized that with the space economy projected to reach $2 trillion by 2040, the U.S. cannot afford to lag behind. “It is essential that space—once a cornerstone of American pride and ingenuity—be recognized again as critical to U.S. economic and national security,” said Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer at AURP.
Cuts to NASA and related agencies risk ceding leadership to adversaries. That’s why AURP is calling for renewed investment and recognition of space as a pillar of American prosperity and freedom.
Erin Koshut, Chair of the AURP Air and Space Caucus and Executive Director of Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, noted: “We see firsthand how investments in space fuel industry growth, secure our nation, and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. This isn’t just about science—it’s about jobs, defense, and American leadership.”
AURP Chief Executive Vickie Palmer commented “During the Apollo era, America led the world in space exploration. It’s time to reclaim that mantle—not just to reach the stars, but to secure our place at the forefront of global innovation.”
National voices across the spectrum agree. From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Space Leadership Council to the Space Foundation, there is a growing bipartisan consensus that America must lead in space—not follow.
Even local and regional stakeholders, such as the Maryland Aerospace Alliance, are rallying for stronger federal commitment to space technology.
A shining example of American enterprise in space is the International Space Station National Lab, operated by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)—a founding member of AURP’s Air and Space Caucus and the world’s first research park in orbit.
To further bolster American manufacturing, AURP partnered with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) to propose a new Manufacturing USA Institute in SPACE—Scientific Platform Advancing Competitive Engineering—onboard the ISS and future private orbital platforms. Read the white paper.
Engagement opportunities this fall:
- AURP will explore space innovation at its 2025 International Conference hosted by the UNLV’s Harry Reid Research & Technology Park in Las Vegas, November 11–14, featuring policy updates from Leslee Gilbert of Van Scoyoc Associates, dynamic panels, and a meeting of the Air and Space Caucus. Learn more.
- AURP Insights into Research Parks at Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, AL on September 22-24, will unite leaders from AURP communities to share R&D standards and experiences while discovery the Huntsville ecosystem firsthand through interaction with peers at the premier U.S. Army hub for research and innovation, home to the FBI, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and more. Read more.
- UAS Summit & Expo on October 14-15 in Grand Forks, ND, will gather stakeholders at America’s UAS proving grounds plus features AURP’s panel session “From Prototype to Public Good: Autonomous Tech Serving Communities.”
- In December, AURP will also participate in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference in New Orleans, showcasing the critical role of space and earth science in driving local and national innovation economies. Event details
About AURP
AURP, a non-profit international organization with offices in the Washington, D.C. area at the University of Maryland Discovery District and in Tucson, Arizona at the University of Arizona Tech Park, focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks, both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry. AURP and its global membership promote research, institute-industry relations and innovation districts to foster innovation and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector. Learn more: www.aurp.org.
Media Contact:
Ken Berlack
AURP
kenberlack@aurp.org