Purdue’s Enduring Legacy In Space Exploration

Purdue is known as the Cradle of Astronauts™ because of its extraordinary influence on the U.S. space program, specifically the 27 Boilermakers who have been chosen to become astronauts. Today’s generation of Boilermakers extends that proud tradition by contributing to projects — from the James Webb Space Telescope, to our return to the Moon, to future missions to Mars and beyond — that will further expand humankind’s understanding of the cosmos. 

THE CRADLE OF ASTRONAUTS

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History in Space

Take a journey along a timeline that traces Boilermakers’ historic accomplishments in space exploration.

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Boilers to Mars

What will it take to go first? “Boilers to Mars,” a new short film produced by Purdue, launches fall 2024.

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