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McNAIR Center for Aerospace, Innovation, and Research

Growing SC's Knowledge-Based Workforce

The McNair Center creates skill-building and industry-driven experiences, strengthens its portfolio, and generates enduring project pipelines; solidified as a premier location for innovation and workforce development. ​

7

Student to Faculty Ratio

20+

Faculty Investigators

$30 mil

In Research Grants Each Year

 

42,000

Square feet of State-of-the-art Research Facility

500+

Employed in Knowledge-Based Economy

Team

Our Team on Advancing Aerospace Innovation

 

The McNAIR Center for Aerospace, Innovation, and Research brings together a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing South Carolina’s knowledge-based economy. Working alongside industry partners, government agencies, and USC faculty, the center leads research in composites, advanced manufacturing, thermoplastics, automation, predictive analytics, 3D printing, and digital transformation. McNAIR also develops the next generation of highly skilled engineers by involving students directly in industry-led projects across aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Meet The Team

Upcoming Events

The NSMMS & CRASTE Symposium
McNAIR is attending the 2026 co-located NSMMS and CRASTE conferences in Columbia, SC, where leaders in space, missile, and commercial aerospace technologies gather to share research, strengthen industry partnerships, and support work force development.
McNAIR is Attending The 49th Annual CMS Conference
McNAIR will participate in the CMS Conference, the premier ITAR-restricted event for cutting-edge research and collaboration on advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for extreme aerospace and defense environments.
CAMX 2026 Composite and Advanced Materials Expo
McNAIR will attend CAMX 2026, the largest and most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America, bringing together industry leaders to showcase innovation, manufacturing advancements, and emerging technologies.

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​The road between South Carolina and space flight is not a very simple one, nor one filled with guarantees. In fact, the only guarantees to be found are those that reside in the unchallenged depths of one's own determination.

- Ronald E. McNair (1950-1986)

Ronald E McNair

Our Partners

Partnerships are critical to our success. We engage with industry partners, universities and the S.C. Department of Commerce to create opportunities for investment and collaboration through manufacturing research.