Louisiana Adds Aerospace Engineering Track
Planned for Fall 2027, the programs aim to supply workers as SpaceX builds its Pecan Island spaceport.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Space
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University of Louisiana President Ramesh Kolluru led a delegation to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston last week, where university and NASA leaders explored internships, faculty engagement, collaborative research, and industry-informed curriculum development. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette plans an aerospace engineering concentration beginning Fall 2027. The development is announced and planned, not yet operating.
Why it matters
SpaceX's planned spaceport near Pecan Island is accelerating growth of Louisiana's aerospace industry and creating new demand for a skilled workforce. The university's curriculum and research plans are a direct response to that demand.
The source reports no measured performance figures or benchmarks. The announcement covers planned course offerings, including an aerospace engineering concentration, a minor in aerospace and autonomous systems, and a space computing systems concentration and minor, none yet launched.
The players
NASA Johnson Space Center
NASA's Houston center leads human spaceflight operations and astronaut training, and hosted the Louisiana university delegation.
SpaceX
SpaceX builds the Falcon rockets and Starship vehicle and is developing the world's largest spaceport near Pecan Island, Louisiana.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The public university's College of Engineering and Ray P. Authement College of Sciences are developing the new aerospace and space computing programs.
The details
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's College of Engineering plans to add an aerospace engineering concentration within its mechanical engineering bachelor's program, plus a minor in aerospace and autonomous systems. The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences is developing a space computing systems concentration and minor, which focuses on the computing side of space hardware and software. The delegation's discussions with NASA leaders, including Dean Ahmed Khattab, centered on research, education, and workforce development collaboration.
Timeline
Last week: University delegation visits NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Fall 2027: Aerospace engineering program planned to begin at UL Lafayette.
The Tech Race
Louisiana's aerospace push is tied to SpaceX's planned Pecan Island spaceport, one of the largest such projects under development. The university's concentration and minor programs position the state to supply engineers for that buildout, though the programs are still in planning.
Students in engineering and sciences at UL Lafayette will have aerospace and space computing options starting with the planned Fall 2027 program launch. Internships and research ties with NASA are discussed but their terms and availability are not yet announced.
The takeaway
Louisiana is building an aerospace talent pipeline ahead of the SpaceX spaceport. Watch for the Fall 2027 launch of UL Lafayette's aerospace engineering concentration as the first concrete measure of whether the plans reach students.
Further reading
Follow the state's broader push in Space as the university's aerospace programs take shape.
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