Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, an Associate Research Scientist at University of Michigan Climate and Space, wrote a piece for The Conversation titled “Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit.” | December 3, 2025
Category: In the Media
“NASA Rover Makes a Shocking Discovery: Lightning on Mars”
Christopher Ruf and Nilton Renno, professors of climate and space sciences and engineering, were featured in The New York Times in the article “NASA Rover Makes a Shocking Discovery: Lightning on Mars.” The article highlights how sixteen years ago they reported electrical discharges on Mars. | November 26, 2025
“The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.”
Dr. Michael Liemohn, professor at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.” for The Conversation. The article highlights how The Office of Space Commerce has been under stress in 2025 due to budget cuts and regulation hurdles. | October 27,
“Solar Sail Probe Could Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti and Dr. Chip Manchester, of the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, were quoted in an article in Futurity with the headline “Solar sail probe could detect space tornadoes earlier.” | October 8, 2025
“Earth Has a Space Tornado Problem”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, a research faculty member at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “Earth has a space tornado problem” for Popular Science. The article highlights how solar storms can cause their own kinds of havoc, just like severe thunderstorms on Earth. | October 6, 2025
“Spacecraft Equipped with a Solar Sail Could Deliver Earlier Warnings of Space Weather Threats to Earth’s Technologies”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, a research faculty member at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “Spacecraft Equipped with a Solar Sail Could Deliver Earlier Warnings of Space Weather Threats to Earth’s Technologies” for The Conversation. The article highlights how solar sails, as deployed in the SWIFT mission, could improve protections against space Continue Reading »
“It Happened at Michigan: U-M Alum Was First American to Walk in Space”
In an article for The University Record, Edward H. White II, a 1959 graduate of the University of Michigan, was featured about being the first American to walk in space. His story was featured in the article “It Happened at Michigan: U-M Alum was First American to Walk in Space.” | June 23,
“Sunscreen, Clothing and Caves May Have Given Modern Humans an Edge Over Neanderthals When Earth’s Magnetic Field Wandered”
Lead Author and U-M Climate and Space Alumnus Dr. Agnit Mukhopadhyay was interviewed for the article “Sunscreen, Clothing and Caves May Have Given Modern Humans an Edge Over Neanderthals When Earth’s Magnetic Field Wandered” in Smithsonian Magazine. The article covers the paper “Wandering of the auroral oval 41,000 years ago” which has been published in Continue Reading »
“NASA’s Parker Probe Just Flew Through Solar Fire at 430,000 MPH”
The NASA Parker Solar Probe, a mission led by Principal Investigator Dr. Justin Kasper of the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space, was featured on SciTechDaily.com about completing its 23rd close encounter with the Sun. The probe was featured in the article “NASA’s Parker Probe Just Flew Through Solar Fire at 430,000 Continue Reading »
“Scientists Discover Smallest Galaxy Ever Seen”
In an article for space.com, Dr. Eric Bell, a professor at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, talks about how galaxies Andromeda XXXV and Andromeda could change how we think about cosmic evolution. He was interviewed in the article “Scientists discover smallest galaxy ever seen: ‘It’s like having a perfectly functional human being Continue Reading »