Testimonials
Sirisha Bandla
(BSAAE '11), Commercial Astronaut
"I am extremely excited about Purdue’s new Space Engineering Certificate and its new Master’s in Space Engineering program designed to develop students’ skills specifically for the space industry. Space exploration requires experts with advanced knowledge of how highly complex systems interact to achieve goals. By offering an online master’s degree, Purdue will equip students with a deep understanding of this complexity, enabling them to make complex systems work, take that knowledge to the marketplace and bring all these incredible technologies to civilians."
Sean Bedford
Director of Business Development Astrobotic
"At The Aerospace Corporation, we recognize that the future of space innovation depends on cultivating a highly skilled and cross-disciplinary workforce. Space degree programs are essential to prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists and leaders to shape the future of national security and civil space. We strongly support academic initiatives that align with the evolving needs of our industry and foster collaboration between education and the space enterprise."
Kevin Bell
Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology Group, The
Aerospace Corporation
"At The Aerospace Corporation, we recognize that the future of space innovation depends on cultivating a highly skilled and cross-disciplinary workforce. Space degree programs are essential to prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists and leaders to shape the future of national security and civil space. We strongly support academic initiatives that align with the evolving needs of our industry and foster collaboration between education and the space enterprise."
Dean Bellamy
EVP, National Security Space, Redwire
"Congratulations to Purdue University on the launch of its new space engineering degrees program! At a time when the world’s reliance on space-based technologies is growing rapidly, it is essential that we continue to invest in developing the next generation of STEM professionals. This program is a bold step that recognizes the critical role space will play in shaping our future — from communications and climate monitoring to exploration and national security. It’s inspiring to see Purdue placing such strong emphasis on the importance of space and leading the charge in preparing students to push the boundaries of innovation and discovery."
Tim Cahill
(BSAAE ’87, MSAAE ’88), President, Lockheed Martin
Missiles and Fire Control
"At Lockheed Martin, we are committed to cultivating the next generation of global aerospace and defense leaders. Purdue is taking bold steps to address the capabilities of industry and government that aligns academic innovation with real-world national security and technology challenges. As a Purdue alum, I’m proud of their work to prepare students for an increasingly complex and connected world. This program is a testament to Purdue University's long history of comprehensive aerospace and defense education."
Tom Feldman
(MSAAE '13), CEO and Co-founder, Stoke Aerospace
"At Stoke Space, we’ve built an elite team focused on developing fully and rapidly reusable rockets to unlock the future of the space economy. Part of our ability to move fast comes from empowering every team member to think like a systems engineer — intimately understanding their own part and how it integrates into the larger system. Successful engineers at Stoke have a deep knowledge of fundamentals combined with a broad understanding of rocket and space systems, and we look forward to continuing to hire the best of the best from Purdue University. "
Dan Goldin
NASA Administrator (1992-2001)
"Purdue has been instrumental in every era of American spaceflight — from the moon landings to the deep-space missions that followed — shaping the engineers and astronauts who built our space legacy. The launch of this new Space Engineering Degrees Program signals something powerful: Purdue is not resting on history; it’s investing in the future. At a time when America must out-innovate, out-build and out-lead in space, Purdue is accelerating the technologies, talent and systems that will define the next chapter of human progress — in orbit, on the moon and far beyond."
Jeff Hanke
President, Space Systems, L3Harris
"As the Trusted Disruptor in defense, L3Harris is committed to advancing national security through innovation. We proudly endorse Purdue University’s new Space Engineering program, which will prepare the next generation of engineers to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the aerospace and defense industry. With our shared Indiana roots and the expansion of our Fort Wayne facility to support on-orbit technology for the Department of Defense, we are building a brighter future for both local talent and global defense capabilities."
Brian Joyal
(BS Physics '87), CEO, Veridiam
"The unprecedented expansion of the Commercial Space Market is requiring companies to operate at a speed and scale not previously encountered by businesses within the sector. Here at Veridiam, we supply critical components for rocket engines, launch vehicles, spacecraft and satellites. With such a diverse product line, we need our engineering talent to not only understand the basic functional behavior of these components but also how they integrate into the entire system. We are excited to see Purdue University — the “Cradle of Astronauts” — meeting this market need by launching the new space engineering degrees. This will significantly reduce our training time and speed up our time to market by having engineers who are educated in the language and requirements of this rapidly expanding market. We can’t wait to welcome the future Purdue graduates of this new degree program to the Veridiam family."
Jimmy Kenyon
(MSE ’98), Aerospace Engineer, Recipient of Outstanding
Engineer Award, Purdue Mechanical Engineering, 1998
"As we pursue ambitious missions to the moon and Mars, developing the talent to tackle the challenges of modern spaceflight is crucial. Cultivating expertise through a Purdue curriculum in space engineering disciplines, such as power, propulsion, processes and advanced materials, will help prepare the next generation of visionaries to drive humanity’s journey beyond Earth."
Zach Krevor
CEO, Stratolaunch
"Purdue has once again demonstrated visionary leadership by launching a dedicated Space Degrees program. As the aerospace frontier expands, initiatives like this are essential to cultivating the next generation of space innovators. Stratolaunch is proud to stand alongside institutions like Purdue that are boldly shaping the future of space exploration and technology."
Jaret Matthews
(BSAAE '01), Founder & CEO, Astrolab
"Astrolab’s mission to build a sustainable lunar economy depends on a new generation of engineers, scientists and visionaries. Space degree programs are vital to equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to solve the complex challenges of planetary exploration. We fully support academic pathways that align with the future of space mobility and foster strong partnerships between industry and education. We’re happy to see Purdue University leading the way."
Beth Moses
(BSAAE '92, MSAAE '94), Chief Astronaut Instructor, Virgin
Galactic
"The growing space economy ecosystem is accelerating the need for a larger influx of younger space graduates to pick up the torch and continue where previous generations left off. Purdue has always been an exceptional pipeline — both a feeder school and a top U.S. producer of engineers. Purdue Engineering prepared me impeccably for my career in space. I could not have accomplished anything I did without the foundational knowledge it provided me, as well as — frankly — the magic at Purdue that transformed me from a wide-eyed kid into a humble professional. The next generation of Purdue engineers entering the aerospace field is unbelievably critical. Any employer reviewing a résumé with a Purdue space certificate will recognize that this individual demonstrated both interest and follow-through in aerospace, going above and beyond some of their peers. In the industry — and as an employer — Purdue graduates are highly valued for their work ethic, strong fundamentals and all-around capability."
Audrey Powers
(BSAAE '99), Deputy New Shepard Business Unit, Blue Origin
Astronaut
"I've been at Blue Origin for almost 12 years, and the entire purpose of this company is to open access to space — enabling people to live and work there in ways we've never done before. When I think about the new generation of graduates — those coming through programs like this certificate and Purdue’s new master's program — I believe they are exactly why companies like Blue Origin exist. We're creating new pathways to get far more people into space than ever before. And those people are going to do amazing things. We need people who are eager to go and do what’s never been done. That’s the importance of the generation we’re educating now. At Purdue, they are the ones we've been building this road to space for, so they can thrive, innovate and accomplish things we’ve yet to imagine."
Tammy Radford
(BSME ’00), Senior Vice President, EVA Deputy Program Manager,
Axiom Space
"Purdue University has long been a powerhouse in aerospace and space exploration, producing some of the most accomplished engineers and astronauts in history. The launch of a new space engineering degree program is a bold and timely move that will help shape the future of our industry. At Axiom Space, we know that the next generation of space leaders will come from institutions like Purdue — where excellence, innovation and hands-on experience are part of the DNA."
David Thompson
(MSAAE '89), General (retired), First Vice Chief of Space
Operations, Space Force
"My degree from Purdue University developed skills and charted a course that have served me well for more than 35 years. In addition to providing deep foundational knowledge, the Purdue faculty taught me to ask questions, challenge assumptions and demand excellence from myself and those around me. My education was world class in its day; Purdue has maintained its leadership in space-related engineering research and education in the intervening years. The new Space Systems Engineering degree will provide students with the tools, methods and processes to design, analyze, field and improve today’s complex space systems. With this new offering, Purdue proves yet again it understands the needs of the aerospace industry — and ensures its graduates are equipped to tackle the complex challenges of tomorrow."
Scott Tingle
(MSME '88), CAPT, USN (Ret)
"Purdue gave me the foundation to thrive as an engineer, a pilot and an astronaut. I am very excited to see Purdue boldly launch a dedicated space degree program to prepare the next generation of space professionals. Whether we're designing spacecraft, flying missions, or solving complex systems challenges, Purdue’s hands-on, mission-driven approach helped me to turn dreams into reality."