Auburn University has been awarded a groundbreaking $11.4 million Department of Defense (DOD) contract through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to establish the first university-led radiation hardening, or “rad hardening,” facility in the United States. This cutting-edge initiative, located at Auburn’s Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park, will ensure the reliability of military technology in the extreme radiation environments of space.
The new facility will focus on testing and hardening microelectronics essential for the sustainability and improvement of the MDA’s space assets. Radiation hardening is critical for increasing the resilience of electronic components exposed to intense radiation in orbit, a challenge highlighted by agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense, who have noted a shortage of testing infrastructure nationwide.
“The capacity to test the microelectronics necessary for sustaining and improving MDA’s space assets is crucial to the future of national defense,” said Steve Taylor, Auburn’s senior vice president for research and economic development. “This new facility will allow us to evaluate the possible effects of extreme radiation exposure, addressing a significant gap in our current capabilities.”
The Applied Research Institute’s new facility represents a strategic effort to address national security priorities. Located near Redstone Arsenal, a key defense installation, the facility will provide the region with critical testing capabilities to develop reliable, radiation-hardened components.
As part of the project, Auburn University will install a multi-million-dollar cyclotron previously used in cancer therapy to simulate space radiation conditions. This advanced particle accelerator will serve as the centerpiece of the testing facility and is expected to enable robust evaluations of space-bound technologies.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said Melanie Baker, AUARI principal research scientist. “Establishing a radiation hardening test facility just outside the gates of Redstone Arsenal ensures we’re tackling the national shortage of rad hardening infrastructure head-on.”
Congressman Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and representative of Alabama’s Third Congressional District, has been a vocal supporter of Auburn’s role in this effort. “That this will be the only university in the nation doing this incredibly important work reinforces Alabama’s reputation—and particularly Auburn University’s reputation—as a leader in aerospace and defense research,” Rogers said.
The project leverages Auburn’s interdisciplinary strengths, integrating expertise from the College of Sciences and Mathematics and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Scott Shifrin, the MDA’s acting director for innovation, science, and technology, emphasized the importance of Auburn’s contributions: “This robust testing will ensure future capabilities are successful operating in a wide variety of environments.”
This new rad hardening facility positions Auburn University and the state of Alabama at the forefront of aerospace and defense innovation. By filling a critical gap in the supply chain for radiation-hardened microelectronics, the project is not only pivotal for national security but also underscores the importance of collaboration between academia, government, and industry.
As space continues to emerge as a strategic frontier, Auburn’s efforts are poised to play a key role in shaping the future of American military and space operations.