Gov. Don Siegelman endorsed the project Thursday and pledged $2 million in state funds with another $2 million later. The state money matches $4 million dollars the federal government has already invested.

The National Space Science and Technology Center will provide research facilities in materials science, biotechnology, Earth science, propulsion and optics.

The center will also offer opportunities for collaboration between private industry, universities and governmental agencies.

Specific plans for the facility are still being developed, but will be a partnership between NASA, the Alabama Space Science and Technology Center and six Alabama universities.