When Alain Berinstain talks about space, he doesn’t just talk about rockets or research missions — he talks about people, partnerships and the power of doing things that haven’t been done before.

That daring mindset is exactly what he’s bringing to his new role as director of the (FSI) at UCF, which supports space research, development and education activities, along with the development of Florida’s space economy — civil, defense and commercial.

A business and research strategist, Berinstain brings more than 30 years of experience in the space industry, driving strategic growth and domestic and international partnerships. He officially stepped into the role in December of last year, ready to elevate FSI into a nationally recognized institute while strengthening �����’s research profile, supporting Florida’s rapidly growing space economy and driving even greater global impact.

“Being bold is having ideas and doing things that nobody has ever done before,” Berinstain says. “If you do that in a collaborative way, then — pardon the pun — the sky’s the limit.”

A Career Built on Making Connections

Berinstain’s path to UCF wasn’t a straight line — and that’s by design. Trained as a chemist, he earned a bachelor’s degree in honors chemistry from Concordia ����ֱ��, a master’s degree in space studies from the International Space ����ֱ�� and a doctoral degree in chemistry from the ����ֱ�� of Ottawa. Early in his career, he saw space as a powerful platform for science, but also one that demanded collaboration across disciplines, sectors and borders.

From 1997 to 2013, Berinstain held leadership roles at the Canadian Space Agency, including director of planetary exploration and space astronomy. There, he managed annual budgets exceeding $25 million and helped negotiate Canada’s participation in major NASA missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, OSIRIS-REx and the Mars Phoenix Lander. He also co-authored the original Global Exploration Roadmap, aligning international partners around shared exploration goals.

“I aim to show people how FSI can help meet their goals … and, in the end, raise the research profile in space at UCF, in Florida and in the world.”

Berinstain later moved between public service and the private sector, advising companies such as Virgin Galactic and Sierra Nevada Corporation, leading global development at Moon Express Inc. and most recently serving as chief strategy officer at science-based solutions company CSS Inc. Along the way, he helped generate more than $10 million in revenue for in-space manufacturing of health and technology products and cultivated strategic partnerships with academia, government and industry stakeholders.

That cross-sector experience now shapes his vision for FSI — especially when it comes to funding. A key priority, he says, is diversifying funding beyond traditional government grants by expanding private and commercial partnerships.

“Since I’ve spent time in other sectors and made contacts, I look forward to mining those to help collaborate and redevelop those relationships,” he says. “I aim to show people how FSI can help meet their goals and come up with new opportunities that we can respond to, and, in the end, raise the research profile in space at UCF, in Florida and in the world.”

Why UCF — and Why Now

Berinstain’s appointment will fuel the momentum of space exploration and research at SpaceU — the top provider of graduates in the nation to the aerospace and defense industry — and the new Florida Space Research Consortium.

“Alain is a daring innovator internationally recognized for his leadership throughout space’s public and private sectors,” says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation. “His experience, bold vision and strategic pursuit of partnerships will elevate the impact of our research at America’s Space ����ֱ�� and further strengthen Florida’s rapidly growing space economy.”

FSI’s unique position within a deeply collaborative campus and a statewide network of space researchers is what Berinstain says drew him to UCF.

“We lead our own world-class science, but we also partner with researchers across colleges and departments … There’s real strength in numbers.”

“Where FSI fits within the UCF ecosystem is really interesting. We lead our own world-class science, but we also partner with researchers across colleges and departments,” he says. “What also attracted me is the collaboration among state universities in Florida. With the new consortium for university space research, in which we’re in a leadership position, there’s real strength in numbers.”

From the Earth’s upper atmosphere to the origins of the planets and the dynamics of asteroids, FSI’s research tackles some of the biggest questions in space science. Building on those strengths, Berinstain is setting his sights on what comes next: expanding into areas shaping the future of commercial space, including microgravity research, pharmaceuticals and defense.

“I plan to grow FSI in areas that are of national and economic importance. They all need help from strong research groups,” he says. “It’s not so much about what we want to do — it’s about what they need us for. And that creates all kinds of cool opportunities for us for amazing research and mutually beneficial collaboration.”

Building on Momentum

Just weeks into the role, Berinstain says he’s already felt the energy that surrounds space at UCF.

“I participated in Space Week at UCF … and I came away [from that experience realizing] how pervasive and important space is to the culture of the institute,” he says. “So it feels like I’ve got to catch up to that momentum. It’s an honor. It’s a challenge. It’s wonderful to leverage that for FSI.”

Ask Berinstain about his leadership style, and don’t be surprised if he starts with a pop culture reference.

“Do you watch The Big Bang Theory?” he says. “Sheldon Cooper has that line: ‘I’m not crazy. My mom got me tested.’ Well, I’ve been tested for my leadership style.”

According to that assessment, Berinstain falls into what’s known as a “parental” leadership style — a label he’s quick to unpack.

“It sounds funny,” he says, “but what it really means is guided leadership. I’m very team-oriented. I’m resilient. I deal with situations head-on.”

At the core of that approach is trust — trusting people to do their best work when they feel supported and empowered.

“There are people here who’ve been doing amazing work for a long time. I want to build on that,” he says.

A Bigger Picture of Impact

For Berinstain, success at FSI isn’t just about dollars raised — it’s about alignment and purpose.

“I prefer to think of research funding as impact,” he says, “as contributions to UCF, to Florida and to our country. Let’s meet our own priorities and help others meet theirs. That’ll help in our growth.”

With a strong space legacy, a collaborative spirit and a rapidly expanding frontier ahead, Berinstain sees FSI entering a new era of possibility as a leader in space research.

Simply put, “it’s a dream job,” he says.

Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university’s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field.

With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, UCF continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos.

�����’s cutting-edge areas of space expertise include:

Space Medicine

�����’s College of Medicine is pioneering new frontiers in aerospace medicine, positioning itself as a leader in space health research and education. Spearheaded by initiatives to create an interdisciplinary curriculum, UCF is integrating expertise from engineering, medicine and nursing to address the unique health challenges of space exploration.

The college is building on existing research in space health, including innovative studies on the effects of microgravity on bone health, which could lead to improved protection for astronauts. Collaborations across disciplines, such as testing therapeutics for radiation protection and developing antimicrobial solutions for space station environments, highlight �����’s commitment to advancing astronaut health and shaping the future of space medicine.

Space Propulsion and Power

UCF is advancing space propulsion with groundbreaking research that could make space travel more efficient and viable for future missions. Researchers are developing innovative hypersonic propulsion systems, such as rotating detonation rocket engines, which harness high-speed detonations to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption — an advancement that could significantly lower costs and emissions associated with space travel, creating new commercial opportunities in the industry. UCF is taking its hypersonics research even further with its recently launched Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion — the HyperSpace Center.

Additionally, UCF teams are exploring novel power systems for spacecraft venturing far from the sun, where solar energy becomes impractical. With funding from NASA, researchers are creating storable chemical heat sources capable of providing essential heat and power in extreme environments, from the icy surfaces of distant moons to the intense heat of Venus.

Space Technology and Engineering

UCF is forging the future of space technology with innovations that push the boundaries of lunar and deep space exploration. Through advancements in lunar resource utilization, UCF has developed methods to efficiently extract ice from lunar soil so that it can be transformed into vital resources like water and rocket fuel, while new techniques for processing lunar soil drastically reduce construction costs for infrastructure such as landing pads.

UCF researchers are also pioneering 3D-printed bricks made from lunar regolith that withstand extreme space conditions, setting the foundation for resilient off-world habitats. Lunar regolith is the loose dust, rocks and materials that cover the moon’s surface.

�����’s Exolith Lab, part of the , continues to lead in space hardware testing, advancing resource extraction and lunar construction technologies. Meanwhile, FSI’s CubeSat program is opening new doors in space exploration with compact, affordable satellites that give students and researchers access to microgravity and beyond.

Space Commercialization

UCF’s new space commercialization program — led by , College of Business professor of practice and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy — positions the university as a leader in space-related business education.

Autry will guide the college’s efforts to deliver Executive and MBA programs in space commercialization, driving curriculum development and establishing space-focused programs that equip students to lead in the growing commercial space industry.

In addition to the space commercialization program, Autry will be working with external stakeholders, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force and commercial firms like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, to develop opportunities to advance mutual interests in space.

This includes working with Kennedy Space Center to lead a State ����ֱ�� System partnership with the state of Florida to develop the necessary talent to maintain and expand Florida’s leadership in space exploration and commercialization.

Autry will also be leading �����’s effort to develop and execute a roadmap for the university’s SpaceU brand through targeted investments in talent and facilities.

Space Domain Awareness

UCF is advancing space domain awareness research to protect critical assets in orbit by developing sophisticated algorithms for tracking and predicting the movement of objects such as satellites and asteroids, so they don’t collide with spacecraft. Under the guidance of aerospace engineering expert Tarek Elgohary, UCF researchers are creating a computational framework to rapidly and accurately track space objects in real time. This initiative is backed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dynamic Data and Information Process Program.

UCF is also addressing the growing issue of orbital debris through a NASA-funded study that includes researchers from �����’s FSI and . This project seeks to increase public awareness and support for managing space debris, a hazard to satellites and potential space tourism ventures.

Workforce Development

UCF is propelling students toward dynamic careers in the space industry with hands-on programs and sought-after internship opportunities. Through the new engineering graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, developed in collaboration with NASA, students are gaining essential skills in testing and evaluating space-ready electronic components — a key advantage for aspiring space professionals.

Additionally, UCF students can benefit from hands-on internships at Kennedy Space Center, where they gain real-world experience in various fields, from engineering to project management.

At the , students gain direct experience in microgravity research and robotics. The center embodies �����’s commitment to democratizing space access, offering pathways for students from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the growing space industry.

FSI’s CubeSat program further immerses students in satellite design and operation, offering direct involvement in active space missions.

Planetary Science

UCF’s planetary science program is driving breakthroughs in space exploration with projects spanning the moon, Mars and beyond. The NASA-funded Lunar-VISE mission, led by UCF, will explore the Gruithuisen domes on the far side of the moon to understand their volcanic origins, potentially unlocking insights crucial for future space exploration.

Complementing this, UCF researchers are contributing to NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission, which will map water ice deposits on the moon — an essential resource for sustained stays in space. On another front, UCF scientists are studying dust behavior in microgravity through experiments that flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, potentially leading to strategies for mitigating lunar dust, a challenge for electronics and equipment on future missions.

Expanding its reach beyond the moon, �����’s planetary science research involves asteroid studies, including the high-profile OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu and examining seismic wave propagation in simulated asteroid materials to understand asteroid evolution and early planetary formation. UCF is also home to the , a node of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which facilitates NASA’s exploration of deep space by focusing its goals at the intersection of surface science and surface exploration of rocky, atmosphereless bodies.

Additionally, UCF researchers are studying trans-Neptunian objects and using the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the solar system’s outer reaches, analyzing ancient ices to uncover clues about the solar system’s history, while also investigating exoplanets to advance our understanding of other planets and to search for life beyond Earth.

In parallel, UCF researchers are also advancing bold ideas for terraforming Mars through nanoparticle dispersion to create warming effect, making the Red Planet potentially more habitable.

UCF researchers have also contributed their expertise to multiple high-profile NASA missions, including Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Curiosity, and New Horizons.

Advancing Astrophotonics, History and Policy

�����’s space research spans pioneering astrophotonics technology, studies in space history and critical analyses in space policy, each offering unique insights into the universe. The within CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is pushing the boundaries of photonics and astronomy, using tools like photonic lanterns, fiber optics, and hyperspectral imaging to detect cosmic phenomena and address profound questions about dark energy.

Meanwhile, delves into space history, exploring the cultural and scientific impacts of milestones like the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle program, helping illuminate humanity’s journey into space.

The contributes to this comprehensive approach with its broad studies of space policy, both domestically and internationally, including examining military space policy and rising space powers. The work involves studying space law, international agreements, and policy frameworks that guide space activities, which is essential for addressing the governance and strategic planning needed for space exploration and utilization.

Pioneering Tomorrow’s Space Exploration

UCF is pushing the frontiers of space research and education, tackling today’s challenges while preparing for the demands of future space missions. As the new space race continues, �����’s forward-thinking approach will continue to drive progress, inspire new possibilities and expand humanity’s reach into the universe.