Mission Statement
We are dedicated to advancing humanity’s understanding and exploration of the cosmos through Duke’s distinctive multidisciplinary collaboration. With cutting-edge research, targeted professional programs, and strategic partnerships, we aim to pioneer innovations in space technology and policy, unravel the mysteries of the universe, and inspire the next generation to look further and reach higher. Our mission is to push the boundaries of discovery, policy & economic design, and technological advancement to uniquely position Duke at the forefront of interdisciplinary cooperation within economic, environmental, and scientific inquiry in a new era of accelerated space exploration.
History
The SPACE Initiative at Duke was established in 2025 by Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, with the support of an anonymous $2 million commitment from a Duke alum, to serve as a university-wide, multidisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing our understanding of the cosmos through interdisciplinary collaboration. The SPACE Initiative was built to support faculty and students across Duke’s campus to work together on a rapidly growing range of space-related issues, including research in cosmology and astrophysics, engineering and materials, biology and medicine, policy, economics, business, history and law. The Initiative began as a recognition of the breadth and depth of work related to space that was already underway in established groups across Trinity College and Duke University, and presented an opportunity to advance Duke's leadership in these critical fields.
"From being first in flight to now reaching for the stars, North Carolina carries its legacy of innovation forward through Duke’s SPACE Initiative, driving interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing a STEM-ready workforce to explore the frontiers of the cosmos,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.