The Florida Space Institute (FSI) is a research institute located at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. The institute is affiliated with both the university and NASA. Its mission is to conduct research and develop technologies related to space exploration, science, and engineering; and to provide educational opportunities for students interested in these fields.
The institute was founded in 1995 by Dr. Charles Bolden, then-director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and Dr. Robert Crippen, a former astronaut who flew on the first space shuttle mission. FSI has since grown to include more than 60 faculty members from various disciplines across UCF, as well as several hundred graduate students.
FSI’s main campus is located on UCF’s main campus near the College of Sciences building. The institute also has offices at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Research conducted at FSI covers a wide range of topics related to space exploration, including human health and performance in space; planetary science; astrobiology; atmospheric science; astrophysics; robotics; satellite systems engineering; remote sensing; propulsion physics; Flight dynamics & control systems engineering ;and ground systems development & operations . In addition to its research efforts, FSI also offers educational programs for K-12 students, teachers, and the general public through its Saturday Science Academy and Summer Camp programs.
Florida Space Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to expanding our knowledge of outer space through innovative technology development and scientific discovery while providing unique education opportunities for students wishing pursue careers in STEM disciplines related to space exploration..