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Auburn leaders highlight research and workforce capabilities as U.S. Space Command prepares for move to Huntsville

It’s the military mission. It’s the land-grant mission. It’s the Auburn mission. 

As U.S. Space Command prepares to move approximately 1,400 jobs to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville over the next five years, Auburn University welcomed command leadership and reinforced its role as a trusted academic partner in advancing national security through research, innovation and workforce development. 

“At Auburn, our mission is service. We have a lot to offer Space Command as they move their headquarters to our state,” said Derek Tournear, director of space innovation at Auburn. “We’re providing the workforce for the next generation of space operators and space engineers that will be critical as Space Command continues to grow and operate its systems in Huntsville.”

Maj. Gen. Samuel Keener, director of Joint Force Development and Training and member of the Academic Engagement Enterprise for the U.S. Space Command, started Monday with a tour and presentation at Auburn’s Applied Research Institute in Huntsville, located just minutes from Redstone Arsenal. The institute's new 50,000 square foot laboratory is a go-to resource for government partners as researchers work to solve our nation’s most complex national security challenges.  

“The Applied Research Institute is hugely impressive,” Keener said. “The facilities, faculty and staff — and the work they’re doing — create exciting opportunities for collaboration, especially given its proximity to where our headquarters will be.” 

 

Auburn’s growing presence in Huntsville, combined with its strengths on the main campus, positions the university to play a meaningful role in supporting the command’s mission. 

On Thursday, Keener met with university President Christopher B. Roberts and key senior leaders and faculty on Auburn’s main campus, where he received briefings and lab tours on topics such as space dynamics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, critical infrastructure security, applied radio science, computational electromagnetics, optical communications, assured positioning, navigation and timing, autonomy and guidance, and Auburn’s small satellite program.  

“The interest from faculty and students—from President Roberts on down—has been beneficial to us and has helped identify areas where we can partner and work together,” Keener said. “That’s been the biggest value.” 

During the visit, Space Command leaders also provided input on workforce needs and research priorities — feedback that is already shaping new academic initiatives, including Auburn’s planned Space Systems master’s program. 

“They shared what they want to see in the future workforce, and that input is feeding directly into our curriculum development,” Tournear said. “We also discussed research priorities and opportunities to collaborate on future space architecture analysis, modeling and simulation.” 

As U.S. Space Command establishes its presence in Alabama, Auburn University carries forward a shared mission rooted in service, partnership and the responsibility to help protect U.S. interests in space.