News – University of Michigan Space Institute

Chris Ruf Named to the National Academy of Engineering

Posted on February 10, 2026 (February 12, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Congratulations to Director of the U-M Space Institute, Dr. Chris Ruf, for receiving the prestigious honor of being elected to the National Academy of Engineering! This year, the NAE elected 130 new members and 28 international members, as announced on February 10th.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Features CYGNSS Mission Led by University of Michigan

Posted on January 21, 2026 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

The CYGNSS Mission led at the University of Michigan will be exhibited in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in July. The museum will feature a replica of NASA’s CYGNSS mission in the “RTX Living in the Space Age Hall.” Named the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, CYGNSS was developed at the University of Michigan’s Space Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) and the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLASP).

Human Exploration of Mars: National Academies Give NASA Their Recommendations

Posted on December 10, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

NASA hired the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to identify the scientific community’s priority objectives for human study and exploration of Mars, as well as the types of measurements, samples and studies needed to complete the objectives. The Academies delivered their report to NASA in December.

Zurbuchen, Formerly of U-M, NASA, Honored by Center for Entrepreneurship

Posted on December 5, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) honored co-founder Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with the presentation of a new award bearing his name, as well as the renaming of the center’s long-running Friday speaker series he launched, EHour.

“Google’s Proposed Data Center in Orbit Will Face Issues With Space Debris in an Already Crowded Orbit”

Posted on December 3, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

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

“NASA Rover Makes a Shocking Discovery: Lightning on Mars”

Posted on November 26, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

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

Launching the World’s Largest Space Telescope

Posted on November 12, 2025 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

The James Webb Space Telescope is safe from the sun’s light and heat thanks, in part, to Robby Swoish. The largest and most powerful telescope ever launched into space, Webb is designed to study galaxies so far away that their light takes 13.5 billion years to reach us. That ancient light gives us a view of our universe that dates back to the origins of the very first stars.

“The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.”

Posted on October 27, 2025 (October 29, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

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”

Posted on October 8, 2025 (October 30, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

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”

Posted on October 6, 2025 (October 15, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

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