Former North Carolina NASA Campus Listed For $30 Million For Sale
ROSMAN, N.C. — A remarkable piece of North Carolina’s space history is officially on the market. The former NASA satellite tracking facility in Rosman, now known as the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), is listed for $30 million, according to NAI Piedmont Triad.
Built in 1963, the 192-acre property was originally part of NASA’s early Space Race infrastructure, helping capture some of the first images of Earth from space. Later, the site played a key role in national defense — serving as a Cold War-era communications hub for the National Security Agency (NSA).
A Site Steeped in Space and Science History
The sprawling mountain campus sits deep in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County, surrounded by more than 500,000 acres of protected dark skies — an astronomer’s dream setting.
“It feels like you’re walking into the past, but you’ve got a glimpse of the future,” said Robbie Perkins, Market President at NAI Piedmont Triad, who described the property as one of the most unique listings of his career.
“It’s entirely unique. The federal government spent some $250 million on the site back in the 1960s,” Perkins added. “So what is that worth today?”
An Expansive Scientific Campus
According to the listing, the PARI campus includes over 30 buildings, among them a welcome center, library, dormitories, staff housing, exhibit halls, and dining facilities.
Its technological infrastructure is equally impressive, boasting:
- More than 25 optical telescopes
- Dish antennas and radio arrays
- A planetarium, data centers, and research laboratories
- Fully equipped STEM education facilities
Under its current non-profit ownership, PARI has been used for scientific research, data archiving, and STEM education programs, as well as private events and facility rentals.
Interest from Around the World
While no buyers have been named publicly, Perkins confirmed that there has already been international interest in the site. Any potential sale would require approval from PARI’s Board of Directors and the North Carolina Attorney General.
“This is one of the most interesting pieces of property we’ve ever had the privilege of working on,” Perkins said.
A Future of Limitless Possibilities
Though rooted in history, the listing suggests that PARI’s next chapter could be firmly focused on the future. Potential uses include AI research, quantum computing, aerospace communications, or continued scientific and educational development.
Described as “a scientific landmark ready for next-gen use,” the facility represents a rare opportunity to own a major piece of American innovation history — one that has bridged the worlds of space exploration, defense intelligence, and education for more than six decades.
Residents and science enthusiasts are encouraged to share what they’d like to see happen to North Carolina’s historic NASA site at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
Source: wlos.com
