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U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, visited Duke University on Thursday to meet with leaders of the Duke SPACE Initiative and to discuss the future of U.S. space exploration and policy.
Rep. Foushee met with the faculty board of the SPACE Initiative, co-leaders Daniel Scolnic and Michael Troxel led a discussion about the initiative’s interdisciplinary research, educational goals and partnerships across the Triangle. Student leaders Faith Austin (Space Force Cadet), Megan Glasgow (President of AERO), Jake Wolfram (Stargazing Devils Astronomy Club), and Gavin Ockert (President of Duke SEDS) also met with the Congresswoman to discuss student interest in the Space Initiative.
Rep. Foushee later joined Jonathan Wiener, the William R. Perkins Distinguished Professor of Law at Duke Law School and professor of public policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy, for a fireside chat focused on national space priorities, workforce development and emerging technologies.
The visit comes as NASA advances its Artemis missions to return humans to the Moon and prepare for eventual travel to Mars, and as the U.S. Space Force continues to expand its role. Duke launched the SPACE Initiative (Science and Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration) in 2025 to position the university as a leader in space science, technology and policy during this period of rapid growth in the space sector.
Established with a $2 million commitment from an anonymous Duke alumnus, the SPACE Initiative brings together faculty from physics, engineering, medicine, law, economics, history and public policy. It supports research ranging from cosmology and space medicine to space diplomacy, materials science and extreme environment biology. The initiative also plans professional programs and public events, including an annual Duke Space Symposium, and aims to develop interdisciplinary graduate education in space science and policy.
Rep. Foushee is already familiar with the initiative. When Duke announced its launch last year, she noted North Carolina’s legacy in aviation and innovation and emphasized the importance of preparing a STEM-ready workforce for the future of space exploration.
During Thursday’s conversation, Rep. Foushee described recent visits to NASA facilities, including Kennedy Space Center and Goddard Space Flight Center, and reflected on the broader importance of national leadership in space.
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“We must also sustain a world-class workforce,” Rep. Foushee said. “Space is challenging. It takes skill and training, whether it’s welders or technicians, engineers, scientists or data specialists. We need talent, skills and perspectives from all walks of life and all backgrounds to build a robust and inclusive future for space science, exploration and the growing space economy.”
Wiener asked how research institutions in the Triangle, including Duke, can contribute as more nations and private companies enter the space sector. Rep. Foushee pointed to the role of universities in training and retaining top researchers and students.
“When we have research institutions such as this institution, we know we are providing for the future,” she said. “We are making sure that that workforce from all perspectives is going to be ready.”
She also discussed bipartisan cooperation on space policy and the need to remain competitive in a global environment. Space exploration now involves dozens of countries and a rapidly expanding commercial sector. Maintaining leadership, she noted, will require strong partnerships among government, industry and academia.
The discussion addressed emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in space operations, planetary defense and orbital debris. Rep. Foushee said Congress must establish clear guardrails for AI while recognizing its potential to support scientific discovery and mission operations. She noted that hearings on topics such as asteroid detection and mitigation, debris management and planetary protection are expected before the subcommittee.
Throughout the conversation, Rep. Foushee returned to the broader purpose of space exploration.
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“Our space knows no boundaries, nor does it place barriers on who can explore,” she said. “Similarly, we should not limit the dreams of those who could become the first American to set foot on Mars, engineer the next generation of commercial aircraft, or unlock answers to profound questions like, ‘Are we alone in the universe?’”
For Duke, the visit underscored the university’s growing engagement in national conversations about space science and policy. By combining research in cosmology, engineering, medicine and risk analysis with expertise in law, economics and public policy, the SPACE Initiative aims to contribute to scientific discovery while helping shape the governance and economic design of the emerging space economy.
As NASA prepares for Artemis missions and long-term exploration beyond Earth orbit, Duke leaders say collaboration among universities, government agencies and private companies will be essential. Thursday’s visit highlighted the role that research institutions in the Triangle can play in training the next generation of scientists and policymakers and in informing the policies that will guide humanity’s next steps in space.