Briefing Highlights AAMU’s Research Strengths as SPACECOM Expands Huntsville Presence

Alabama A&M University faculty and leadership held a strategic briefing with officials from U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), marking the first formal engagement between AAMU researchers and the command as it establishes its permanent headquarters at Redstone Arsenal.

The meeting provided an overview of AAMU’s research capabilities, workforce development initiatives and academic programs aligned with national defense and space priorities. University leaders emphasized the institution’s role as a historically Black university contributing to innovation in areas critical to space domain awareness, missile defense and advanced technologies.

Leading the SPACECOM discussion was Joint Training Manager Richard Fierro, who supports the Academic Engagement Enterprise, alongside other Space Command leaders supporting training, education and academic engagement efforts, including Maj. Gen. Samuel C. Keener, director of Joint Forces Development and Training (J7), Dan Mark, deputy director of the Training and Forces Development Directorate, and Michael Madsen, chief of the Joint Education Branch. 

On behalf of Alabama A&M, presentations were led by Dr. Chance Glenn, professor of electrical engineering; Dr. Majed Dweik, vice president for Research and Economic Development; and Dr. ZT Deng, dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences. Additional research leadership included Dr. Timothy Mantz, executive director of the AAMU-RISE Foundation, and Dr. Paul Ruffin, chief scientist of the RISE Foundation.

“Alabama A&M has some of the best researchers in the nation,’ said Dweik. “I am proud of the innovative work being done here and look forward to building a strong partnership with SPACECOM.”

Faculty presentations showcased ongoing research in artificial intelligence applications for target detection and tracking, propulsion systems for space applications, radiation detection technologies, quantum optimization for orbital maneuver planning and secure decision-making systems under contested conditions. Additional demonstrations highlighted integrated circuit fabrication, advanced materials and energy systems. Presenters included Dr. Glenn, Dr. Kaveh Heidary, Dr. Jonathan Lassiter, Dr. Yinshu Wu, Professor Delores Baker, Dr. Zhigang Xiao and Dr. Satilmis Budak.

SPACECOM officials also toured AAMU facilities, including laboratories within the Howard J. Foster Research Center and the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences, such as the wind tunnel, clean room, nuclear engineering and radiological center and the Space Engineering, Technology and Innovation Laboratory.

The engagement comes as U.S. Space Command expands its footprint in Huntsville, with approximately 1,400 personnel expected to transition to Redstone Arsenal. The command is projected to have at least half of its operations in Huntsville by 2028, with full operational capability anticipated in the early 2030s.

University officials noted that the visit positions Alabama A&M among institutions contributing to national security research while strengthening pathways for student engagement and workforce development in the rapidly growing space sector.

U.S. Space Command representatives are also scheduled to meet with other universities across the region as part of their broader academic engagement efforts.

From left, Dr. Timothy Mantz, Dr. Chance Glenn, Dr. Michael Madsen, Maj. Gen. Sam Keener, Dr. Majed El-Dweik, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Taurus D. Smith, Daniel Mark and Richard Fierro.

Photos by Shannon Schmalfeldt