News – Page 2 – University of Michigan Space Institute

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.

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.

“U-M Department of Astronomy Prepares its First NASA Mission”

Posted on February 17, 2025 (March 13, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

In an article for WEMU.org, Dr. John Monnier, a professor at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, talks about the STARI Mission and how it should make the study of planets out of our solar system less expensive. He was interviewed in the article “U-M Department of Astronomy Prepares its First NASA Mission Continue Reading »

U-M Astronomy Will Lead Its First Satellite Mission With NASA Grant

Posted on February 13, 2025 (March 19, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The first space mission led by the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy is scheduled to launch in 2029 with the support of a NASA grant worth $10 million. The mission is called STARI—STarlight Acquisition and Reflection toward Interferometry—and will showcase the viability of a new technique for studying exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system.

Witnessing the Birth of Planets

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

University of Michigan researchers contributed to an international collaboration that’s providing an unparalleled view into how planets are born using the JWST—the most powerful space telescope ever launched. In particular, the team studied PDS 70, a young star with two growing planets in its orbit. Located 370 lightyears away, this system gives scientists a rare chance to see how planets form and evolve during their earliest stages of development.

Leinweber Lab Becomes Design Hub for Moon Garden Equipment

Posted on February 5, 2025 (March 13, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

If you walk by the new Leinweber Innovation Lab inside the Climate & Space Research Building on a Wednesday evening, you might notice the BLiSS student team hard at work in each of the lab’s studios. There, members of their subteams are working in parallel to design tools that could help solve challenges in NASA’s future Artemis missions to the moon. The lab’s four open studio spaces were the perfect fit for the BLiSS student team to help future moon missions.