Auriga Space and the University of North Dakota Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Hypersonics, Counter-UAS, and Space Technologies
INTRODUCTION
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA – On March 5, Auriga Space and the University of North Dakota (UND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a collaboration to advance electromagnetic launch technologies for national security applications.
The collaboration between Auriga and UND is focused on three core national security applications of Auriga’s electromagnetic propulsion technology: hypersonics, counter-UAS, and space.
Auriga’s innovative electromagnetic architecture enables low-cost, high-cadence, flexible payload launch capabilities that can be directly applied across all three technology areas. Through the collaboration, Auriga and UND will explore how the technology can support emerging national security needs. UND is a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS research, including the nation’s first undergraduate degree program in UAS and the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems. The university also conducts research in national security space and hypersonics through programs such as the Space Studies program and the National Security Corridor, making UND a natural partner for Auriga.
Auriga’s partnership with UND also presents an opportunity to tap into the State of North Dakota’s extensive national security technology community and infrastructure. Grand Forks Air Force Base, for instance, is a critical center of the military’s air and space research efforts, being home to the Point Defense Battle Lab, the Space Development Agency’s Operations Center North, and the Test Resource Management Center’s SkyRange Program.
Auriga and UND formalized the partnership during a visit by an Auriga delegation to the UND campus, where representatives from both organizations signed a MOU.
“The University of North Dakota is very excited to partner with Auriga Space. Our joint work on launch technologies fits well with UND's capabilities in space, national security and hypersonics. I'm very excited to see this partnership grow and flourish.” said Dr. Scott Snyder, Vice President of Research & Economic Development at UND. “The University of North Dakota has built an exceptional ecosystem around unmanned systems, space, and national security technologies,” said Winnie Lai, CEO of Auriga Space. “We are excited to collaborate with UND to explore how electromagnetic launch can support emerging missions in hypersonics, counter-UAS, and space. This partnership brings together Auriga’s launch technology with UND’s research expertise to accelerate innovation in these critical areas.”
ABOUT AURIGA
Auriga Space is a venture-backed company based in Orange County, California, developing electromagnetic launch technology for defense and space applications. By using electricity to accelerate payloads rather than chemical propulsion, Auriga’s systems deliver low-cost, highly repeatable, high-cadence launch capabilities for hypersonic testing, missile defense, and space access.
For more about Auriga Space, visit https://www.aurigaspace.com/
