Category: University of Michigan Space Institute

We Need a Solar Sail Probe to Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier, More Accurately, U-M Researchers Say

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
solar sail
Spirals of solar wind can spin off larger solar eruptions and disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, yet they are too difficult to detect with our current single-location warning system, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. But a constellation of spacecraft, including one that sails on sunlight, could help find the tornado-like features in time to protect equipment on Earth and in orbit.

The People Behind SPAR: Tate Gill

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
PEPL
Tate Gill, an assistant research scientist within the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL), has taken on the technical leadership role as head of the institute’s propulsion division. Since receiving a $35 million award from the USSF University Consortium in late 2024, the University of Michigan has continued to lead one of the nation’s largest efforts to advance space power and propulsion through Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness and Resilience (SPAR) Institute.

Professors from U-M Law and U-M Aerospace Co-Instruct Course on Removing Space Debris

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
PSI
The Problem Solving Initiative (PSI) course series, where students from a variety of academic backgrounds come together and learn how to collaborate and solve problems, recently drew its latest iteration to a close with an end-of-semester presentation and forum. This semester’s PSI was co-taught by U-M Law School Professor Donald Moore and U-M Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Oliver Jia-Richards and covered the topic of how to handle and remove debris from space.

The People Behind SPAR: Eric Viges

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
Eric Viges
As one of the key players the new Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness and Resilience (SPAR) Institute, Eric Viges is taking on the technical leadership role as head of the institute’s power division. With this, he will be coordinating different elements of the power side to bring together sub team members and do systems demonstrations in Year 2 and Year 5 of the project.

H3D Detectors Arrive at the International Space Station

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
space station
Radiation detectors developed by Ann Arbor-based startup H3D, Inc.—founded by University of Michigan researchers—were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) early Monday morning as part of NASA’s latest resupply mission. The payload was carried aboard SpaceX’s 32nd cargo delivery flight to the ISS, which lifted off April 21 at 4:15am EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The capsule successfully arrived at the ISS the following morning, docking with the station at 8:40am EDT on April 22.

Alumna Aisha Bowe Ready to Launch on Historic All-Women Space Flight

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
Aisha Bowe in Museum
Aisha Bowe, an alumna from Michigan Aerospace, is set to board the first-ever all-women Blue Origin flight, scheduled to launch on April 14, 2025. This historic flight will be Blue Origin’s 11th human space mission that will cross the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, 62 miles (100 km) above Earth.

New FireSat Set to Transform Wildfire Detection and Response

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
Chris Ruf with students
The first prototype of the FireSat constellation launched into low-Earth orbit in March, paving the way for a large network of satellites that will help enhance wildfire detection, mitigation and response around the world. The entire constellation will eventually consist of 50 satellites that will use infrared cameras to detect and track wildfires from space. They will also use a next-generation Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) receiver that can measure soil and vegetation moisture based on how the surface reflects GPS microwaves, harnessing signals already bouncing off the Earth from navigation satellites.