News – Page 2 – University of Michigan Space Institute

NASA Flight Surgeon Speaks to Unique Career Caring for Astronauts

Posted on March 19, 2025 (April 29, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The University of Michigan Space Institute welcomed its first seminar speaker to Ann Arbor, Michigan during the 2024-2025 academic year to present "Caring for Astronauts, One Mission At a Time." An alumna of the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Natacha Chough spoke about her role as a NASA Flight Surgeon for an audience of students, alumni and guests.

SPAR Set Its Sights on the Future of the Institute

Posted on March 17, 2025 (April 29, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The SPAR Institute was formed to develop spacecraft that can “maneuver without regret,” with funding from the U.S. Space Force, and is set to bring fast chemical rockets together with efficient electric propulsion powered by a nuclear microreactor. As the eight universities and 14 industry partners and advisers come together to tackle the initiative, the SPAR Institute is now one of the nation’s largest efforts to advance space power and propulsion.

“Scientists Discover Smallest Galaxy Ever Seen”

Posted on March 12, 2025 (March 13, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

In an article for space.com, Dr. Eric Bell, a professor at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, talks about how galaxies Andromeda XXXV and Andromeda could change how we think about cosmic evolution. He was interviewed in the article “Scientists discover smallest galaxy ever seen: ‘It’s like having a perfectly functional human being Continue Reading »

What Industry Wants: Model-Based Systems Engineering

Posted on March 12, 2025 (April 23, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

George Halow, a professor of practice at Michigan Aerospace Engineering, launched a model-based systems engineering course that takes students from customer concept to design or prototype inside two semesters, often mentored by engineers at big name corporate sponsors.

Small, Faint and ‘Unexpected in a Lot of Different Ways’: U-M Astronomers Make Galactic Discovery

Posted on March 11, 2025 (April 30, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

A discovery made by a team led by researchers at the University of Michigan tugs at the seams of some key cosmic lessons we thought we had learned from our own galaxy. This dwarf galaxy, named Andromeda XXXV and located roughly 3 million light-years away, is forcing astronomers to rethink how galaxies evolve in different cosmic environments and survive different epochs of the universe.

U-M Astronomers Peer Deeper into Mysterious Flame Nebula

Posted on March 10, 2025 (April 23, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, a team of researchers, including astronomers from the University of Michigan, are closing in on the answer to a looming cosmic question. In probing the Flame Nebula, they’re finding out what’s the smallest celestial body that can form on its own from clouds of gas and dust in space.

“Former NASA Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe to Make History as Crew Member on Blue Origin’s First All-Woman Spaceflight”

Posted on March 5, 2025 (March 26, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

In an article for BecauseOfThemWeCan.com, Aisha Bowe, a U-M Climate & Space alumna, talks about her announcement that she will be part of Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, making history as one of six women flying together on the 11th human spaceflight of New Shepard. She was featured in the article “Former NASA Rocket Scientist Continue Reading »

“Flight, Space and Rockets Pay a Visit to a School in Milan”

Posted on February 28, 2025 (March 26, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Students from the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering, were featured in the Sun Times News about their visit to Symons Elementary School in Milan, MI. The article was titled “Flight, Space and Rockets Pay a Visit to a School in Milan.” | February 28, 2025

“U-M Department of Astronomy’s First Satellite Launch Could Pave the Way for Exoplanet Discoveries”

Posted on February 28, 2025 (March 13, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

In an article for The Michigan Daily, Dr. John Monnier, a professor at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, talks about the STARI Mission and how interferometers in space could allow scientists to study exoplanets in greater detail than they are currently able with existing technology. He was interviewed in the article “U-M Continue Reading »

U-M Awarded up to $7.5M to Bring Heat-Tolerant Semiconductors From Lab to Fab

Posted on February 21, 2025 (March 19, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Heat-resistant sensing and computing chips made of silicon carbide could advance aircraft, electric and gas-powered vehicles, renewable energy, defense and space exploration—and University of Michigan researchers are leading a multimillion dollar collaborative effort to bring more of them to market. Funded by the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub, the project is launching with $2.4 million in initial funding, and could receive up to $7.5 million over three years.