on a mission
Rice University lands $14M state grant to open Center for Space Technologies
Rice University’s Space Institute soon will be home to the newly created Center for Space Technologies.
On Feb. 17, the Texas Space Commission approved a nearly $14.2 million grant for the Rice project. The Center for Space Technologies will target:
- Research and development
- Technology transfer and innovation
- Statewide partnerships
- Workforce development training
- Space-focused education programs
The goal of the new center “is to fulfill an articulated need for research, workforce development, and industry collaboration,” said Kemah communications and marketing executive Gwen Griffin, chair of the commission.
State Rep. Greg Bonnen, a Friendswood Republican, authored the bill that set up the Texas Space Commission.
Since being authorized in 2023, the commission has funded 24 projects, with Rice and Houston-area companies accounting for nearly $75 million in grants to back space-related initiatives.
The grant to Rice brings the TSC's total investment to $150 million, fully committing the entire state appropriation from the Texas Legislature in 2023.
Other local companies that have received grants over the years include Aegis Aerospace, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, Starlab Space and Venus Aerospace.
The commission also awarded $7 million to Blue Origin earlier this month. See a list of the 24 awards here.