The SPACE Initiative at Duke will foster strategic partnerships to pursue fundamental questions about the universe, pioneer innovations in space technology and policy, and educate the next generation of space researchers and policymakers. (Photo courtesy of NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Launches SPACE Initiative
The Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has launched the SPACE Initiative at Duke (Science & Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration), a universitywide endeavor dedicated to advancing our understanding of the cosmos through interdisciplinary collaboration.
All are invited to its celebratory kick-off event to be held on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m., at Penn Pavilion. The event will combine a poster presentation, a reception and a keynote talk by Duke alumna, astronaut and former Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX Anna Menon (RSVPs are recommended).
Launched through an anonymous $2 million commitment from a Duke alum, the SPACE Initiative will unite cutting-edge research, targeted professional programs and strategic partnerships to pursue fundamental questions about the universe, pioneer innovations in space technology and educate the next generation of space researchers and policymakers.
“The SPACE Initiative is a recognition of the breadth and depth of work already underway across Trinity College and Duke University, and presents an opportunity to advance our leadership in these critical fields,” said Gary Bennett, professor and dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. “This is about more than just propelling research forward — it’s about convening researchers, organizations and government agencies to tackle a full range of space science and policy questions while seeking to advance public understanding of the cosmos.”
Led by Associate Professors of Physics Michael Troxel and Daniel Scolnic, the SPACE Initiative will position Duke at the forefront of space science and policy in an era when a rapidly expanding space economy — valued at $630B in 2023 and projected to reach $1.8T by 2035 — along with the emergence of new space actors and significant scientific and technological advances, are presenting unparalleled opportunities as well as new challenges. In the coming decades, today’s accelerated pace of exploration could drive the discovery of novel mineral resources and power, bases on other planets, and the pursuit of major scientific priorities, such as a Habitable Worlds Observatory that seeks to answer the fundamental question of whether life exists beyond Earth. Keeping pace with these challenges requires broad cross-disciplinary partnerships among federal agencies, universities and private companies, as well the development of new policy and of new legal and environmental guidance.
To that end, the SPACE Initiative aims to catalyze collaborations across Duke’s schools on space-related issues, and to facilitate partnerships with universities and companies across the Triangle. Through a combination of workshops, a monthly seminar series, an annual Duke Space Symposium and invited external speakers, the initiative will support a vibrant scholarly community and enable larger, multi-institution transformative grant proposals to external donors, private foundations and federal agencies.
“We are so grateful for this seed gift that brings together Duke’s broad community of faculty and students interested in space,” said initiative co-leader Scolnic. “This gift will create new opportunities for collaboration and learning and better tap into the growing momentum and funding for this new age of space exploration.”
The initiative’s goals go beyond research. They include developing and managing at least one interdisciplinary master’s program in Space Science and serving as a public-facing hub for events and outreach on space research, development, science and policy at both campus and national levels.
Surrounded by a high concentration of medical and high-tech industries and multiple nearby universities with space programs, Duke is uniquely positioned to host the SPACE Initiative. Moreover, U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee of Durham is the ranking member on the House Subcommittee for Space and Aeronautics.
"From being first in flight to now reaching for the stars, North Carolina carries its legacy of innovation forward through Duke’s SPACE Initiative, driving interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing a STEM-ready workforce to explore the frontiers of the cosmos,” Foushee said.
Menon, who was a mission specialist and medical officer on the 2024 Polaris Dawn space flight, echoed Foushee’s excitement about the new initiative. “It’s an exciting time for space exploration,” she said. “I saw firsthand on Polaris Dawn how people from every field can come together to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space. I’m thrilled that Duke is launching the SPACE Initiative that builds on this spirit — educating and inspiring the next generation across disciplines to help shape our future beyond Earth.”
Within Duke, the initiative builds upon a solid cross-school foundation. In addition to a rapidly growing Cosmology group in the Department of Physics, the initiative will include faculty from Biology, History, Economics, Mathematics, Statistical Science, the Pratt School of Engineering, the Space Diplomacy Lab in the Sanford School of Public Policy, the Fuqua School of Business, the Law School, the Nicholas School of the Environment and the School of Medicine, as well as the Duke Center on Risk based in the Science & Society Initiative.
The SPACE Initiative’s Board reflects its interdisciplinary nature, consisting of Dawn Bowles, assistant professor in Surgery; Amy Schmid, professor of Biology; David Smith, James B. Duke Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Philip Stern, professor of History; Eve Vavagiakis, assistant professor of Physics; Jonathan Wiener, William R. Perkins Professor of Law and Environmental Policy; and Giovanni Zanalda, professor of the practice in the Social Science Research Institute and in Economics.
“At Duke, we pride ourselves on having a uniquely collaborative culture, so it is fitting that scholars from so many fields of study are among the leaders of the new SPACE Initiative,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “As an engineer and scientist who has devoted my career to developing and fielding advanced propulsion systems that further humankind’s presence in space, I am thrilled for the launch of this effort and look forward to it working across disciplines to advance our understanding of and ability to explore the universe.”
By leveraging Duke’s strengths in cosmology, AI, materials science, biomedical research, space economics, policy and law, the SPACE Initiative promises to pioneer innovations in space technology, enable the pursuit of uniquely ambitious research and policy goals, and inspire next generations.
“Space is one of the most intrinsically multi-disciplinary and inspiring fields of study,” said Troxel, co-leader of the initiative. “The new SPACE Initiative at Duke is bringing together many already successful research programs from across campus to enable new dimensions of exploration in space science and policy. Our place in space has been a focus for humanity for millennia, driving us always to look further and reach higher.”
The SPACE Initiative’s kickoff event will be held at Penn Pavillion on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. To learn more and RSVP, visit the event’s page (space is limited.)