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former NASA site in North Carolina is now on sale for $30 million, offering a 192‑acre “ready‑made getaway to the stars.” Built in 1963 during the Space Race, the campus—now called the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)—was a satellite‑tracking hub that helped capture Earth’s first images from space and later served as a key NSA communications center.

    The property spans 192 acres and includes more than 30 structures: a welcome center, library, exhibit space, a 200‑seat cafeteria, and dormitories that once housed staff. It also houses 25 optical telescopes, a planetarium, dish antennas, data centers, laboratories, and radio arrays—an impressive collection of vintage scientific equipment.

    Surrounding the campus are half a million acres of protected forest within the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County, adding natural beauty to the investment. The original construction cost about $250 million in the 1960s, roughly $2.7 billion today when adjusted for inflation.

    Although the site is abandoned, it is currently operated by a non‑profit that uses it for STEM education, research, data archiving, facility rentals, events, and private programs. Interest has already come from buyers worldwide, though no major names have been disclosed. Any prospective owner must receive approval from the PARI Board of Directors and the North Carolina Attorney General.

    Robbie Perkins, Market President at NAI Piedmont Triad, expressed excitement about the unique opportunity, noting that few have seen such a place and likely never will. The listing highlights the campus’s historical significance, extensive scientific assets, and the surrounding natural landscape, making it a rare blend of heritage and potential.