Dr. Nilton Renno, a professor at University of Michigan Climate and Space, was quoted for an article in USA Today on “A huge satellite hurtled to Earth and no one knew where it would land. How is that possible?” The article included a link to a Visual mapping the anticipated path of the ERS-2 Continue Reading »
Director Leads U-M Space Institute Into a New Era
In 2023, Dr. Chris Ruf took the helm as the new director of the U-M Space Institute. We sat down with Ruf to discuss his work, his ideas related to space research, and the future of the U-M Space Institute.
“Lunar Gold Rush: Uncovering the Moon’s Hidden Treasures”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, assistant research scientist at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in “Lunar gold rush: Uncovering the Moon’s hidden treasures” for The National. | February 2, 2024
Welling Named Director of the Center for Space Environment Modeling
Dan Welling, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, has been named the new director of the Center for Space Environment Modeling. He will serve a three-year term from 2024 to 2026.
Pathfinder Grant Awarded to Eleni Gourgou
Eleni Gourgou, Associate Research Scientist at U-M Mechanical Engineering, was awarded a U-M Space Institute Pathfinder Grant in the amount of $5,000, for her project “The Impact of Artificial Microgravity on Lifespan and Spatial Learning” in December 2023.
“Microgravity is known to have an impact on animals’ physiology, as shown via numerous experiments with Continue Reading »
Pathfinder Grant Awarded to L. Jay Guo
L. Jay Guo, professor at U-M Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, was awarded a U-M Space Institute Pathfinder Grant in the amount of $5,000, for his project “Silica Aerogel Composite with Embedded Carbon Nanotubes as Perfect Absorber for Stray Light Control for Deep Space Survey” in December 2023.
“Minimizing stray light scatting Continue Reading »
Power Grant Awarded to Alexander Cushen
Alexander Cushen, graduate student at U-M Climate and Space, was awarded a U-M Space Institute Power Grant in the amount of $5,000, for his project “ARC-LITE: Absorbance and Reflectance Characteristics of Lunar Dust for Imaging Technology and Exploration” in December 2023.
“With many missions planned to visit the Moon in the coming years, Continue Reading »
Power Grant Awarded to Ananyo Bhattacharya
Ananyo Bhattacharya, graduate student at U-M Climate and Space, was awarded a U-M Space Institute Power Grant in the amount of $1,400, for his project “PlanetGPT- A U-M GenAI Tool for Space Sciences and Engineering” in December 2023.
Plasma Thrusters on Satellites Could Be Much More Powerful
Research conducted at Michigan Aerospace Engineering may be the propulsion breakthrough that gets humans to Mars. A study suggests that smaller Hall thrusters can generate more thrust—potentially making them candidates for interplanetary missions.
NASA’s 6-Pack of Mini-Satellites Ready for Their Moment in the Sun
In a mission led by Principal Investigator Justin Kasper, Ph.D., from U-M Climate and Space, six small satellites are now ready for launch in the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) Mission.