MinerAlert
MinerAlert
Welcome to the Aerospace Center at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) — we serve as a nexus for innovation, forging strategic partnerships across a dynamic ecosystem (a New Frontier Ecosystem!) of government agencies, industry leaders, small businesses, venture studios, venture capital firms, other research centers, and national laboratories. By translating and integrating cutting-edge research with real-world applications, our partnerships accelerate breakthroughs, cultivate entrepreneurial ventures, and drive the future of aerospace technology.
We are dedicated to advancing aerospace technologies through pioneering research in space systems, hypersonic vehicles, AI-driven materials science, and more. By providing students hands-on experiences and access to cutting-edge research, we are preparing the next generation of engineers, scientists, technicians, and leaders to shape the future of aerospace.
Create opportunities through careers in aerospace – Drive research expertise and talent development to foster job creation and business development – Inspire, engage, and excite the Paseo del Norte region to pursue careers in aerospace, creating a pipeline of talent for the future.
Our commitment to research preeminence is matched by our focus on student development programs, offering valuable pathways to success in high-demand aerospace fields, while fostering partnerships within a New Frontier Ecosystem. Together, these efforts drive economic development in the Paseo del Norte region, attract investment, and strengthen national security through innovation and technological advancement well into the future!
The Next Gen UAS Frontier advances the next era of unmanned flight by integrating research, real-world operations and hands-on training into a single ecosystem. Focused on autonomy, sensing, secure communications and airspace integration, it supports applications such as border security, disaster response and national defense. With access to uncongested airspace, advanced test ranges and FAA-authorized beyond visual line of sight operations, it enables realistic testing while preparing students with practical experience in aerospace and autonomous systems.
Space Technologies and AI-Driven Research (STAR) in Advanced Materials Science Frontier. The Aerospace Center’s newest frontier will lead AI-driven advanced materials research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs for space, defense, and industry. By leveraging AI and machine learning, we aim to streamline material discovery, testing, and development, creating lightweight, durable, high-performance materials for extreme space conditions.
The Space Frontier advances strategic research in lunar resource utilization, propulsion, robotic landers, surface habitation, microgravity manufacturing, and small spacecraft technologies in support of NASA’s Artemis program and Moon to Mars vision. Led by Md Mahamudur Rahman, Ph.D., a UTEP Mechanical Engineering associate professor, the division fosters innovation through hands-on, real-world research, equipping scientists with critical investigative and technical skills.
The Aeronautics & Defense Frontier at the Aerospace Center advances research in hypersonic systems, missile technologies, and advanced propulsion to strengthen national security. Supporting industry and U.S. Space Force missions, the frontier drives innovation in Space Domain Awareness and space access through advanced materials, AI-driven analytics, and strategic partnerships.
The Energy and Sustainability Frontier provides capabilities from sub-pilot to commercial-scale fossil, nuclear, and renewable energy technology development; prototype-to-commercial-product demonstrations, and testing and evaluation.
The UTEP Aerospace Center has launched the Next Gen UAS Frontier to advance autonomous flight through integrated research, testing, and training. Focused on AI, secure communications, sensing, and swarm systems, the initiative emphasizes real-world applications in border security, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring. Leveraging its border location and FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, the Center enables advanced testing in realistic environments. By combining cutting-edge facilities with hands-on student experience, the program prepares future engineers while supporting industry, government, and national security efforts.
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The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and UTEP have entered into a new Educational Partnership Agreement designed to strengthen education, research and workforce development across critical STEM disciplines.
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The City of El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso are strengthening their partnership to advance aerospace and advanced manufacturing in the region. Supported by a $10 million federal award, this collaboration will expand high-quality job opportunities, boost innovation, and position the Paso del Norte region as a hub for next-generation technology and workforce development.
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Our UAS research program just received FAA approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations—granting 87 square miles of authorized range. This leap forward puts UTEP at the forefront of drone and advanced air mobility research.
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The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), in collaboration with CPFD Software, is leading advanced research in sustainable energy with a focus on co-gasification of sustainable feedstocks. Researchers from UTEP's Aerospace Center are using Barracuda Virtual Reactor, a powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, to model and optimize fluidized bed systems that convert municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass into blue hydrogen fuel.
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The future is launching at UTEP! On 04.11, we celebrated the grand opening of the Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center — home to the Aerospace Center and W.M. Keck Center. This cutting-edge facility will fuel aerospace and defense innovation.
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UTEP's new Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center (AMAC) brings together the Aerospace Center and W.M. Keck Center to drive groundbreaking research in defense, space technology, and advanced manufacturing. This cutting-edge facility empowers researchers and students to develop next-generation innovations, from rocket engines to hypersonic systems, strengthening UTEP's role as a leader in national aerospace advancement.
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What does it take to launch a career in aerospace? For Montserrat Hernandez, a mechanical engineering senior and fast-track master’s student at UTEP, it’s a mix of passion, perseverance, and hands-on experience. Recently named a 2025 Brooke Owens Fellow, Hernandez has secured a prestigious internship with Blue Origin, where she will contribute to cutting-edge projects at Launch Site 1.
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UTEP Engineering graduate Emmanuel Vielma has won the 2025 ASC Student Paper Award for his research on aerospace composites, recognized at the AIAA SciTech Forum. His work, conducted at UTEP’s Aerospace Center with AFRL support, showcases the university’s commitment to student excellence and innovation in aerospace engineering.
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Dr. Shery Welsh is the Executive Director of UTEP’s Aerospace Center. With extensive aerospace leadership experience, she will drive pioneering research, DoD and industry partnerships, and innovation. Her vision focuses on expanding the center’s impact, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities for students and faculty in advanced aerospace research and development.
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Dr. Shery Welsh, Executive Director, recently visited key aerospace and research institutions, including NewSpace Nexus, Oak Ridge National Lab, Spaceport America, and the American Astronautical Society. These visits focused on fostering innovation, strengthening industry partnerships, and advancing aerospace research, reinforcing the organization's commitment to cutting-edge technological development and collaboration.
Read More Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center Building
1800 Hawthorne St.
El Paso, TX 79968
Main: 915.747.6480
Fax: 915.747.5549
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