Capito, Manchin Announce $750,000 for NASA Research at West Virginia University

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $750,000 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) for research at West Virginia University’s Physics and Astronomy Department. The funding will support a research project entitled “Surface States and Doping in Aluminum Prototypes for NASA Detector Development,” which will assist in the development of single photon detectors to improve the detection of signals from astronomical sources.

“West Virginia has a rich space history, and I’m proud to see that tradition continue through West Virginia University,” Senator Capito said. “NASA’s EPSCoR is a competitive program, but the students and faculty within WVU’s Physics and Astronomy Department continue to prove their merit, taking on research projects that have a direct impact on space exploration in the future. I’m thrilled to see this research taking place in the Mountain State and look forward to continuing to support their efforts.”

“West Virginia University continues to be a leader in many academic fields, including vital scientific research. I’m pleased NASA is investing in West Virginia University to support our hardworking students, faculty and staff who are involved with innovative physics and astronomy research programs,” Senator Manchin said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support scientific research in the Mountain State.”

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