Auburn University announces new addition to Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville

Auburn's recently expanded Rocket City research footprint is already going up a size.

In November 2024, the university’s board of trustees approved the expansion of the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus with plans for a new facility in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park intended to accommodate new partnerships between the Auburn University Applied Research Institute (AUARI) and the Department of Defense.

"We knew we would be growing quickly," said Steve Taylor, Auburn’s senior vice president for research and economic development. "It's nice to see that the vision and strategy we're taking in Huntsville is already paying dividends.

“We’re grateful for the City of Huntsville, especially the city’s Industrial Development Board, which is assisting in expediting construction in order to meet Department of Defense timelines,” Taylor added.

The feeling is mutual, said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

“We are pleased Auburn University is deepening its intellectual capital and research capabilities in Huntsville,” Battle said. “Their presence provides vital contributions to our growing network of academia and corporations who work together in support of the defense and security of the United States and our allies.”

The 50,000-square-foot building will include flexible laboratory space and office space. It will also accommodate operation of a Big Area Additive Manufacturing printer in the integration of mission command capabilities into projects such as upfitting the Polaris MRZR Alpha 4 Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle.

But the main feature will be a 30,000-square-foot high bay laboratory allowing for the critical radiation hardening testing that ensures the resilience of electronics in the harsh radiation environments encountered in space.

"Auburn is obviously no stranger to significant contributions to national security and the space industry," said Jonathan Pettus, AUARI executive director, "but this new capability will further solidify Auburn as one of the leading universities in the nation specializing in harsh environment testing of space and defense electronics. This capability is particularly important to help grow the industrial base that can supply critical electronic components to support the growing space economy."

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"This new facility will help us leverage Auburn’s expertise and next-generation resources to even greater effect," Taylor said. "We're in the business of solving hard problems such as those that are important to national defense, space exploration and law enforcement. These types of problems are being tackled every day by the government agencies and commercial companies that call Huntsville home. We are excited about the growing opportunities to apply Auburn’s unique capabilities to make a real difference in the work being done there.”