Designing Memory-centric Chips for Future Space Telescopes
An SRAM chip design could avoid data-movement bottlenecks, helping next-generation telescopes image Earth-like planets orbiting distant suns.
From up on High: A View from Space for a Future for Small Farms
For decades, satellites have helped scientists observe Earth’s changing landscapes. Now, they could also help answer one of agriculture’s most pressing questions: How can the world produce more food while reducing its environmental impact?
NASA’s CYGNSS Transformed Earth Science by Creatively Tuning in to GPS Signals
When NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) launched into orbit in 2016, none of the University of Michigan Engineers who developed the system expected it to transform earth science. They certainly had high hopes for the system’s original mission to improve hurricane forecasting, but its ability to pick up reflected GPS signals also proved useful for so much more.
U-M Joins MOSAIC Build Team to Power Next Generation of Astronomers
A new partnership between the University of Michigan and an intergovernmental research organization will expand the scope of possibilities for astronomers studying the universe’s first stars and galaxies and how dark matter and dark energy have evolved to the present day. Using the world’s largest telescope and its most complex instrument, U-M scientists will be able to study how the Milky Way gained its mass and shape, how other galaxies were formed, how matter is distributed in the universe and how all of these things have changed over time.
Providing the Artemis Mission with Solar Radiation Forecasts
In the Artemis II mission, NASA will test out a pair of new solar radiation forecasts, developed at University of Michigan Engineering, designed to protect astronauts venturing away from Earth. These could warn NASA of solar particle radiation hazards up to 24 hours in advance
Michigan Aerospace Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Goddard’s Rocket Launch
On March 16, 2026, the U-M Department of Aerospace Engineering community came together to celebrate a momentous occasion, honoring the legacy and impact of Dr. Robert Goddard and the 100th anniversary of the launch of the first-ever successful liquid-fuel rocket.
Chris Ruf Named to the National Academy of Engineering
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
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).
“Falcon 9 Ushered in the Modern Space Economy – Retiring It Could Leave the Industry Vulnerable”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, an associate research scientist at University of Michigan Climate and Space, wrote a piece for The Conversation titled “Falcon 9 ushered in the modern space economy – retiring it could leave the industry vulnerable.” | October 28, 2026
‘Catastrophic’ Airplane Turbulence Is Only Getting Worse — Go Inside the Billion-Dollar Race to Solve It
Dr. Ricardo Vinuesa, associate professor of aerospace engineering at Michigan Aerospace Engineering, was featured in The New York Post article “‘Catastrophic’ airplane turbulence is only getting worse — go inside the billion-dollar race to solve it.” The article discusses how AI can be used to design aircraft that can fly through turbulence Continue Reading »
NASA Astronaut Anne McClain Evaluates U-M Team at NASA SUITS Challenge
The University of Michigan's Collaborative Lab for Advancing Work in Space (CLAWS) was one of ten finalist teams selected for the NASA SUITS Challenge in May and became the only finalist to receive a direct evaluation from NASA astronaut Anne McClain.
CYGNSS Mission Celebrated at National Air and Space Museum
A reception was held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on August 11 to celebrate a decade of the CYGNSS Mission and its impact on earth science. A model of a CYGNSS satellite was featured in the museum's new RTX Living in the Space Age Hall exhibit.
Mercury has Part-time Radiation Belts
Scientists thought Mercury’s magnetic field was disrupted by the sun too often to trap a radiation belt, but new analysis of MESSENGER data says that’s not always the case.
“Radical Proposal Would Block Solar Storms with Orbital ‘Airbag'”
Dr. Dan Welling, Assistant Professor at U-M Climate and Space, was interviewed for the article “Radical proposal would block solar storms with orbital ‘airbag’: Gases released from satellites could slash the threat of severe space weather” in Science. | June 2, 2026