USF Expands Its Footprint In Space Research

University joins statewide consortium to advance space innovation and workforce development

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The University of South Florida is expanding its role in Florida's growing space industry by investing in space research, growing its faculty expertise, and strengthening partnerships that position it at the forefront of the state's space economy. USF has recently joined the Florida University Space Research Consortium, a statewide alliance of leading universities working to advance research, workforce development, and innovation across the space sectors.

Why it matters

Florida has a deep history in space, anchored by the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The state is making a concerted effort to grow its space industry and play a more significant role in the future of space exploration and research. USF's entry into the consortium aligns with the university's commitment to building long-term capacity in space-related research and contributing to this rapidly expanding field.

The details

USF is expanding its expertise in areas like spacecraft autonomy, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of spacecraft. Researchers are also working on space mission design and planning, exploring how humans and robotic systems can collaborate effectively in extreme and uncertain space environments. This research aims to enable more adaptive, data-driven decision-making for future lunar and deep-space missions.

  • USF recently joined the Florida University Space Research Consortium.
  • The university has launched a new aerospace engineering program to support its space research efforts.

The players

University of South Florida

A public research university located in Tampa, Florida, that is expanding its footprint in space research and joining a statewide consortium to advance innovation and workforce development in the space industry.

Florida University Space Research Consortium

A statewide alliance of leading universities in Florida, including the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Tech, Florida State, and Florida International University, working to coordinate research, workforce development, and innovation across the space sectors.

Ahmad Vaselbehagh

Associate professor and aerospace engineering program director at the USF College of Engineering.

Andrea D'Ambrosio

Assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF, conducting research on optimal guidance and control of spacecraft using artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance autonomy.

Xiaoyu Liu

Assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF, researching space mission design and planning, with a focus on how humans and robotic systems can work together effectively in extreme and uncertain space environments.

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What they’re saying

“Florida has a deep and influential history in space, anchored by the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and the state is making a very intentional push to build on that legacy and grow its space industry even further to play a more significant role in the future.”

— Ahmad Vaselbehagh, Associate professor and aerospace engineering program director at the USF College of Engineering (Mirage News)

“AI has enormous potential in space, but these systems must be provably reliable. My research focuses on certifying the stability of machine-learning-based controllers and ensuring they adhere fundamental physics principles, so that they can be safely integrated with traditional control systems that have been used for decades.”

— Andrea D'Ambrosio, Assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF (Mirage News)

“In space, it is nearly impossible to design a decision tree for every possible scenario within realistic time and budget limits. The environment is too complex, the resources too limited, and the unknowns too great. That's where machine learning becomes essential because it allows systems to adapt rather than follow rigid rules.”

— Xiaoyu Liu, Assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF (Mirage News)

What’s next

As part of the Florida Space Research Consortium, USF faculty are actively pursuing partnerships with government agencies, industry leaders, startups, and national laboratories to advance space research and innovation.

The takeaway

USF's entry into the Florida University Space Research Consortium marks the beginning of a sustained investment and collaboration to build long-term capacity in space-related research and contribute to the next era of space exploration, from Earth's orbit to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.