The University of Michigan Space Institute

Empowering the University of Michigan to advance its world leadership in space

The Space Institute is the central focal point of space-related research across the entire University of Michigan campus, where stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate creatively and effectively with colleagues from a broad range of backgrounds.

We advance leadership in space activities:

  • Scientifically (including fundamental and applied research)
  • Technically (via engineering and project synergies)
  • Socially (emphasizing society’s reliance on space)
  • Commercially (through innovation, workforce education and corporate partnerships)

Our Focus is Three-Fold:

Conducting research from space
1. Conduct Research from Space
Designing systems to operate in space
2. Design Systems to Operate in Space
Research for allowing humans to live in space
3. Allow Humans to Live in Space

U-M Space News

  • Director Leads U-M Space Institute Into a New Era

    Director Leads U-M Space Institute Into a New Era

    In 2023, Dr. Chris Ruf took the helm as the new director of the U-M Space Institute. We sat down with Ruf to discuss his work, his ideas related to space research, and the future of the U-M Space Institute. […]Read More…


  • Plasma Thrusters on Satellites Could Be Much More Powerful

    Plasma Thrusters on Satellites Could Be Much More Powerful

    Research conducted at Michigan Aerospace Engineering may be the propulsion breakthrough that gets humans to Mars. A study suggests that smaller Hall thrusters can generate more thrust—potentially making them candidates for interplanetary missions. […]Read More…


  • NASA’s 6-Pack of Mini-Satellites Ready for Their Moment in the Sun

    NASA’s 6-Pack of Mini-Satellites Ready for Their Moment in the Sun

    In a mission led by Principal Investigator Justin Kasper, Ph.D., from U-M Climate and Space, six small satellites are now ready for launch in the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) Mission. […]Read More…


Pathfinder and Power Grants

The University of Michigan Space Institute invites eligible faculty, instructors, researchers, students, or student teams to submit a proposal for seed funding in support of research, instructional, or student projects.

Congratulations to Our Grant Recipients


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