Purdue is known as the Cradle of AstronautsTM because of its extraordinary influence on the U.S. space program, specifically the 30 Boilermakers chosen to become astronauts. Today’s generation of Boilermakers extends that proud tradition by contributing to projects—from the James Webb Space Telescope, to our return to the moon, to future missions to Mars and beyond—that will further expand humankind’s understanding of the cosmos.
ALL-BOILERMAKER TEAM TO CREW VIRGIN GALACTIC SUBORBITAL RESEARCH MISSION
Purdue University will build on its space legacy in an upcoming Virgin Galactic suborbital flight featuring an all-Purdue crew. The five members will include Steven Collicott, a professor of aerospace engineering; Abby Mizzi, a graduate student in Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics; alumnus Jason Williamson; and two additional Boilermaker alumni. This flight is scheduled for 2027. A university is all about teaching and learning, students, faculty and alumni; a suborbital space flight with all these together in a single university-crewed flight will be a global event.
Announcement Events
PURDUE 1 NEWS
Get Involved
TWO WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
1. HELP LAUNCH PURDUE RESEARCH INTO SPACE
Abby Mizzi, an aeronautics and astronautics engineering graduate student, was chosen through a competitive process and will have the opportunity to conduct her graduate thesis research in zero-gravity for several minutes of the suborbital flight. With support* from Purdue alumni and friends, we can provide the cost of her ticket, equipment, testing, travel for training and a conference for presenting her research findings. Your gift—no matter the size—will join those from other alumni and friends to drive Boilermakers into the galaxy. Together, we will extend the legacy of the Cradle of AstronautsTM as Purdue researchers do experiments in space. This collective effort will prove Boilermakers know no bounds.
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $1MILLION
Thanks to alumni partners, we are already halfway to our goal!
MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT SENDING A PURDUE GRADUATE STUDENT AND HER RESEARCH TO SPACE AT:
*No Purdue funds or gift funds will support alumni tickets on Purdue 1.
2. SUPPORT PURDUE 1 AND FUTURE STUDENT RESEARCH IN SPACE
Support from Purdue alumni and friends will supplement Purdue faculty-led research experiments, mission branding opportunities, and livestream programming for Purdue 1—as well as future Purdue student research in space.
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $1MILLION
Contact Tanya Finkbiner at: tjfinkbiner@purdueforlife.org or 765-585-7602 to learn more.
PURDUE 1 CREW
Steven Collicott
Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Purdue University
Abigail Mizzi
M.S. Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate, Purdue University
Beth Moses
Veteran Astronaut, Associate Professor of Engineering Practice, Purdue University, BS AAE, MS AAE
Florence Stahura
Retired Senior Research Scientist at AMRI (Now Curia Global) MS '92
Jason Williamson
Senior Vice President at Dunaway, BSCE '97
