WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) secured a $7.54 million Community Project Funding earmark for the Morehead State University (MSU) Space Science Center. The federal funding will provide payload operations for government and commercial space stations, allowing students to continue aerospace education and engineering in partnership with NASA and private space science companies.
“Students at Morehead State University not only have a front row seat to NASA’s lunar missions and deep space pioneering, but they also get to participate in these missions through coding and engineering, as a result of key investments like this Community Project Funding,” said Congressman Rogers, a “cardinal” member of the House Appropriations Committee. “MSU launched this flagship mission more than 20 years ago, and today, students are working first-hand with the nation’s leaders in aerospace technology for American space missions. I’m incredibility proud of our students and the innovative opportunities they have right here at home in the mountains.”
The funding was included in the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 6938) that President Trump signed into law on January 23, 2026.
“At Morehead State University, we are incredibly proud to lead the way for space exploration and aerospace engineering, alongside the nation’s premiere private space tech companies and NASA. Thanks to Congressman Rogers’ continued support and success in securing federal funds for student programs, we now expanding capabilities and opportunities in our state-of-the-art Space Science Center,” said Dr. Jay Morgan, President of Morehead State University.
NASA recently selected MSU to track the historic Artemis II mission, which is scheduled to launch in March. Artemis II represents the first human mission to the Moon in 50 years and will carry humans farther away from Earth than any mission in history. Congressman Rogers secured a $10 million Community Project Funding earmark in 2024 for MSU’s Space Science Center to upgrade the university’s antenna on campus to support tracking operations.
“This additional federal funding provides a significant gateway for our students to be an integral part of future historic space missions. Without the previous support we would not have had the capability to support Artemis II. With Congressman Rogers’ new support, MSU will be advancing our payload operations capabilities. We will upgrade our Mission Operations Center to support space-based payloads operations for multiple missions simultaneously for both NASA and commercial ventures,” said Dr. Benjamin Malphrus, Executive Director of the MSU Space Science Center. “We are leading the way for our students to do more research from the Appalachian Mountains with more advanced technology, alongside government and commercial leaders in aerospace.”
In 2024, the NASA Administrator applauded MSU Space Science students and faculty for saving the public-private lunar mission after communications failed with the Odysseus Lander “Odie.”
Congressman Rogers secured a total of $142 million for 14 Community Project Funding earmarks that have been signed into law for fiscal year 2026. Every county has the opportunity to apply for federal Community Project Funding in each congressional district.
Click here to return to Faster Lane & more breaking Kentucky business news.