Weber State’s MARS Center powers Utah’s defense, aerospace future
OGDEN, Utah — Last week, Weber State University and 47G gathered with state and national leaders at the Miller Advanced Research & Solutions Center to celebrate a major milestone in the future of defense, innovation, and workforce development.
The event marked the official recognition of the MARS Center, Weber State’s cutting-edge research and manufacturing facility that’s helping to ensure the U.S. stays ahead in the global race for hypersonic capabilities.
The celebration brought together university leaders, elected officials, industry partners, and students to recognize how far the center has come since its founding in August 2022 and to chart its course ahead. The event featured a hands-on tour of the facility, showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment and student-led innovation fueling its momentum.
“The MARS Center is not just a research facility—it’s positioned to be a national asset,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen during the event. “It demonstrates the power of partnership between higher education, defense and industry to deliver real solutions for national security and create meaningful opportunities for students in Utah.”
The MARS Center was established to help close a critical national capability gap in advanced materials and manufacturing. While one key focus is the pilot-scale production of high-temperature materials for hypersonic and reentry systems, the center’s impact extends far beyond. As a collaborative innovation hub, MARS brings together federal labs, defense integrators, startups, and academic researchers to accelerate next-generation solutions from concept to real-world application.
With its unique equipment, industry partnerships, and support for small business research and development, MARS is fueling innovation in defense and beyond — including applications in commercial aerospace, energy systems, and emerging technologies like next-gen reactors and steam plants.
Through collaboration with Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, MARS is moving beyond prototyping to pilot-scale production of reusable, advanced thermal protection systems.
MARS also plays a pivotal role in workforce development. More than 90% of students who participate in research activities at MARS remain engaged through graduation. Students are paid competitive wages to contribute directly to live pilot projects, gaining experience in areas ranging from composite fabrication and thermal testing to systems engineering and data curation.
WSU graduates with MARS experience are already being recruited by defense and aerospace partners, aligning with Utah’s goal of keeping top STEM talent in the state.
“We are deeply invested in our students at Weber and committed to providing them with the best possible opportunities,” said Benjamin Garcia, executive director of the MARS Center. “With the MARS Center strategically located near Hill Air Force Base, we’re proud to offer hands-on experiences that allow students to explore career pathways while actively contributing to the future of aerospace, defense and critical materials.”
Last month, Rep. Blake Moore visited the MARS Center to show his support for the groundbreaking work being done in northern Utah. During his tour of the facility, Moore met with WSU leadership, students, and industry partners to see firsthand how MARS is advancing national defense priorities, fueling economic development, and creating real-world opportunities for students.
“MARS is helping Utah — and the nation — bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world deployment,” said Guy Letendre, vice president of strategic initiatives at 47G. “It’s a launchpad for innovation, workforce development and long-term economic transformation.”
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- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu