Vision

The Aerospace Center at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a leading research center that develops innovation, talent, and suppliers for the aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. Our vision is to use our research preeminence as an engine for economic mobility and to transform the Paso del Norte region into an advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based economy.

Mission

The Aerospace Center’s mission is to push the frontiers of aerospace engineering research while creating economic opportunities through education for the students who work in our labs. Our research portfolio includes space technology, aerospace and defense systems, and clean energy development. All of our research integrates digital engineering concepts to meet the rapidly changing demands of the twenty-first century.

The Aerospace Center will

• Re-imagine the Paso del Norte region as an advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based economy.

• Re-invent our economy to produce catalytic growth that increases the share of jobs in advanced industries in the region from 3.2% to 25%.

• Re-deploy our manufacturing capabilities to support U.S. aerospace and defense industries.

• Re-build our talent force with next generation STEM skills for aerospace and defense manufacturing, guaranteeing the entire community a path to the middle class.

Goals

• Be a national leader in preparing a STEM workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation.

• Prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technicians with the knowledge and skills our country needs to capture new opportunities and tackle the biggest challenges in aerospace, defense, and energy.

• Gather multi-disciplinary teams informed by government and industry partners to solve pressing design challenges in aerospace, defense, and energy to strengthen our country’s competitiveness.

• Create pathways for social and economic mobility for West Texas residents through employment in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.

• Leverage the research preeminence and talent development of the Aerospace Center and our sister center, the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation, to create jobs and business opportunities that will transform our region into an innovation powerhouse in aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

• Inspire, excite, and engage West Texas residents to pursue careers in aerospace, defense, and energy.