A $1 million gift from University of Texas at Arlington alumnus Roger Krone and his wife, Helen, is set to expand the university’s space systems education and research capabilities, giving students access to new laboratories, scholarships and real-world engineering experiences at a time when demand for space-sector talent is accelerating.
The commitment will establish the Roger and Helen Krone Space Systems Endowment and create the Roger and Helen Krone Space Systems Laboratory within UTA’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Together, the initiatives are designed to connect classroom theory with the complex engineering challenges involved in designing, operating and controlling spacecraft.
“Helen and I are proud to give back in a way that reflects the education and opportunities UTA afforded me,” said Krone, who earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from UTA in 1981. “Our goal is to help the next generation gain the experience and confidence they need to lead in the rapidly evolving space sector.”
The endowment will support a broad range of student-centered activities, including undergraduate and graduate research, scholarships, experiential learning, professional development, student competition teams and travel to technical conferences. Such support can help students move beyond simulations and textbook problems to test hardware, analyze mission data and collaborate on engineering projects that resemble those encountered in the aerospace industry.
The new laboratory will serve as a central facility for hands-on space systems development. Its equipment and infrastructure are expected to support activities such as spacecraft design, propulsion testing, attitude-control experiments and systems integration. In space engineering, integration is particularly important because a spacecraft is not a collection of isolated components: power, communications, thermal management, software, sensors and mechanical structures must operate together under severe mass, energy and environmental constraints.
UTA’s Space Systems Program prepares students for graduate study and careers in one of the most technically demanding areas of engineering. Its academic focus includes orbital mechanics, spacecraft propulsion, spacecraft dynamics and control, spacecraft design, entrepreneurship and space exploration. Orbital mechanics examines how spacecraft move under the influence of gravity, while dynamics and control address how a vehicle maintains or changes its orientation using sensors, onboard computers, reaction wheels, thrusters or other actuators.
The program’s technical scope reflects the growing complexity of modern missions. Small satellites now perform Earth observation, communications, scientific measurements and technology demonstrations, often using compact platforms known as CubeSats. Despite their size, these spacecraft require precise navigation, reliable power systems, thermal protection and carefully engineered communications links. A laboratory where students can build and test such systems can provide experience with the full mission lifecycle, from early design and modeling to validation and operation.
“This transformative investment from Roger and Helen Krone elevates UTA’s leadership in space systems innovation,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Their generosity embodies the kind of philanthropic vision that will shape our university’s future and prepare our students for success in Texas’ competitive space industry.”
Peter Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering, said the gift would strengthen real-world learning and expand opportunities for research and external collaboration. Space systems projects often require multidisciplinary teams combining mechanical, electrical, computer and aerospace engineering. Students may need to develop structural components, program flight software, model orbital trajectories and verify that a spacecraft can survive vibration, vacuum, radiation and dramatic temperature changes.
Krone, a UTA Distinguished Alumnus, is president of the Krone Foundation, where Helen Krone serves as secretary, treasurer and director. He has held senior leadership positions in major aerospace organizations, including chairman and CEO of Leidos, and currently serves as president and CEO of Scouting America. He is also a member of the UTA President’s Campaign Leadership Council. The Krones have previously supported the College of Engineering through the Dean’s Excellence Fund and have designated part of their estate for activities connected to the Space Systems Program.
The new investment arrives as Texas continues to expand its role in the national space economy, with activity spanning launch services, satellite manufacturing, communications, defense and human spaceflight. By combining financial support with dedicated technical infrastructure, UTA aims to help students develop not only specialized knowledge but also the practical judgment required to make decisions when spacecraft performance, mission safety and scientific return depend on every design choice. For students entering the field, the Krone Space Systems Laboratory could become a place where ambitious concepts are transformed into tested systems—and where the next generation of space engineers begins building its professional future.
Subject of Research: Space systems engineering education, hands-on aerospace research, spacecraft design, propulsion, orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics and control.
Keywords: Aerospace engineering, transportation engineering, engineering, education, science education, students, college students, undergraduate students, space systems, spacecraft design, space exploration, aerospace research.
