News – University of Michigan Space Institute

‘Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine’ Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Posted on August 25, 2023 (September 14, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

Join us for a special screening of "Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine," on Wednesday, September 27 at 5:30pm, at Stamps Auditorium. The event will feature a screening of the Netflix documentary about the design and launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and a panel discussion featuring Film Director Shai Gal and Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen.

$9.7M for Tools to Improve Forecasts of Harmful Space Weather

Posted on August 17, 2023 (August 17, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

Space weather predictions are neither accurate nor timely, and that leaves astronauts without enough time to react to dangerous particles flung out by the sun. Now, NASA is providing $9.7 million to establish a Space Weather Center of Excellence at the University of Michigan, tasked with developing better forecasts.

U-M Space Institute Announces New Director

Posted on July 18, 2023 (July 18, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Chris Ruf, who works in the U-M Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, will lead the U-M Space Institute as the new director.

U-M Aerospace Assistant Professors Receive START Grant

Posted on June 12, 2023 (June 28, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

Four faculty members in the Aerospace department received a START grant from Michigan Engineering. The project goal is to expand the environmental, emissions, and community impact considerations of the planning process for launch sites.

U-M Hosts NASA PI Launchpad Workshop

Posted on June 12, 2023 (June 28, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

The NASA Science Mission Directorate, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and a group of mission experts have teamed up to make the mission development process more transparent and accessible to researchers, by offering the NASA PI Launchpad workshop.

Tracking Ocean Microplastics from Space

Posted on February 8, 2023 (June 28, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

New information about an emerging technique that could track microplastics from space has been uncovered by researchers at the University of Michigan. It turns out that satellites are best at spotting soapy or oily residue, and microplastics appear to tag along with that residue.

NEMISIS Investigation Selected for NASA GDC Mission

Posted on January 30, 2023 (June 28, 2023) by U-M Space Institute

In January, NASA selected the final investigations for the Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Mission. The two investigations for the flagship mission include the Thermal Plasma Sensor and NEMISIS (Near Earth Magnetometer Instrument in a Small Integrated System), led by University of Michigan Prof. Mark Moldwin.