UC Berkeley and SKS Partners unveil $2B R&D space hub at NASA Ames

16.10.2023 - 18:27 / venturebeat.com / Space

The University of California at Berkeley and SKS Partners unveiled a $2 billion research and development hub at the NASA’s Ames Research Center.

The Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park has been proposed at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California. The proposed center will sit on 36 acres on the former Moffett Field air base, tapping the San Francisco Bay Area’s rich ecosystem for innovation. The aim is to create 6,000 jobs. Go Bears.

San Francisco-based SKS Partners is an investor in and developer of commercial real estate properties, with over 10.5 million square feet of office, R&D, medical office, life science, mixed-use and multifamily projects. This is the kind of project that could breathe new life into Silicon Valley.

With a focus on interdisciplinary research and development, the center intends to foster collaboration between the private sector, academia, and government agencies when it comes to exploring space. The joint venture is dedicated to identifying, incubating and launching technological breakthroughs across a diverse set of fields including astronautics, quantum computing, climate studies and the social sciences.

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The Berkeley Space Center will be designed to create a collaborative environment that enables the expansion of knowledge frontiers and the development of groundbreaking technologies. The project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, with over 6,000 advanced research and development positions.

Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement, “Berkeley Space Center will help lead the state’s space tech development by bringing together top space leaders in academia, government, and industry to foster new technologies and breakthroughs.”

The proposed master plan for Berkeley Space Center includes 1.4 million square feet of Class-A office and research and development space, wet and dry labs, conference facilities, academic buildings, and retail amenities. The plan also incorporates approximately 18 acres of open space, providing outdoor working areas and a central green area for community gatherings and exhibitions. Future phases of the project may include short-term stay facilities, student housing, and faculty housing.

The proximity of Berkeley Space Center to NASA’s Ames Research Center offers numerous advantages to its users, including access to world-class research and development facilities. NASA’s Ames Research Center is well-known for its aeronautics and exploration technology research, featuring the world’s largest wind tunnel and advanced