BROWNSVILLE, TX, UNITED STATES, March 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Space Ocean Corp and Texas A&M University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering have entered into a formal capstone agreement that will engage aerospace engineering students in the design and development of a spacecraft water treatment system.
The collaboration integrates Space Ocean’s technical requirements into the department’s Aerospace Engineering Capstone Program (AERO 401/402), providing students with direct experience working on a real-world space systems challenge.
Under the agreement, student teams will:
• Design a spacecraft water treatment system that meets defined sponsor requirements
• Fabricate a working prototype
• Test and characterize system performance
The project will run through December 4, 2026, aligning with the Spring and Fall 2026 academic semesters.
For Space Ocean, whose mission centers on advancing orbital logistics and in-space water infrastructure, the partnership supports early-stage development efforts while fostering collaboration with one of the nation’s leading aerospace engineering programs.
“This collaboration allows students to work at the frontier of space systems development,” said Paul S. Mamakos, Founder and CEO of Space Ocean Corp. “Engaging with Texas A&M’s aerospace engineering students creates an opportunity to explore innovative solutions while investing in the next generation of aerospace talent.”
The capstone structure provides students with hands-on systems engineering experience, exposure to sponsor-defined requirements, and the opportunity to present findings through formal briefings and written reports at the conclusion of the semester.
Dimitris Lagoudas, interim department head of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M, noted that industry-sponsored capstone projects are designed to bridge classroom theory and applied engineering practice. “Working directly with industry sponsors enables our students to apply their knowledge in meaningful, technically rigorous ways while gaining insight into real-world engineering constraints.”
The collaboration reflects a broader effort to strengthen ties between emerging commercial space companies and academic research institutions, accelerating innovation while preparing students for careers in the rapidly evolving aerospace sector.
The project is funded and co-sponsored through the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP). SATOP is funded by the State of Texas to provide access and funding opportunities to support small business innovation within the academic environment. Additional funding is provided through a grant from the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC). This grant was awarded to Space Ocean under the Startup Texas Advancement Fund, administered by BCIC, a Texas nonprofit corporation.
About Space Ocean Corp
Space Ocean Corp is developing integrated orbital logistics infrastructure to support long-duration space missions and in-space resource utilization. The company is focused on advancing water as foundational infrastructure for sustained operations beyond Earth orbit.
About Texas A&M Aerospace Engineering
The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University prepares students to lead in the design, analysis, and operation of air and space systems through rigorous academic programs and industry engagement.
Randolph Pitzer
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