News – Page 3 – University of Michigan Space Institute

Launching the World’s Largest Space Telescope

Posted on November 12, 2025 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

The James Webb Space Telescope is safe from the sun’s light and heat thanks, in part, to Robby Swoish. The largest and most powerful telescope ever launched into space, Webb is designed to study galaxies so far away that their light takes 13.5 billion years to reach us. That ancient light gives us a view of our universe that dates back to the origins of the very first stars.

“The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.”

Posted on October 27, 2025 (October 29, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Michael Liemohn, professor at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.” for The Conversation. The article highlights how The Office of Space Commerce has been under stress in 2025 due to budget cuts and regulation hurdles. | October 27,

“Solar Sail Probe Could Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier”

Posted on October 8, 2025 (October 30, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti and Dr. Chip Manchester, of the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, were quoted in an article in Futurity with the headline “Solar sail probe could detect space tornadoes earlier.” | October 8, 2025

“Earth Has a Space Tornado Problem”

Posted on October 6, 2025 (October 15, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, a research faculty member at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “Earth has a space tornado problem” for Popular Science. The article highlights how solar storms can cause their own kinds of havoc, just like severe thunderstorms on Earth. | October 6, 2025

We Need a Solar Sail Probe to Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier, More Accurately, U-M Researchers Say

Posted on October 6, 2025 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Spirals of solar wind can spin off larger solar eruptions and disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, yet they are too difficult to detect with our current single-location warning system, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. But a constellation of spacecraft, including one that sails on sunlight, could help find the tornado-like features in time to protect equipment on Earth and in orbit.

Frontier No More? Michigan Engineers Work on Solutions for Space Debris

Posted on October 6, 2025 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Researchers at U-M and elsewhere are working to keep space safe for future generations. They’re developing solutions that could enable tracking of microscopic fragments and designing forecasting tools that could more accurately track active satellites during space weather events.

B-SPICE Raises TRL of the Spacecraft-Charging Mitigation Scheme, Operating in a Space Environment

Posted on August 28, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Omar León, an Assistant Research Scientist at the U-M Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, talks more about the launch of the B-SPICE mission from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on November 23, 2024.

The People Behind SPAR: Tate Gill

Posted on July 21, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Tate Gill, an assistant research scientist within the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL), has taken on the technical leadership role as head of the institute’s propulsion division. Since receiving a $35 million award from the USSF University Consortium in late 2024, the University of Michigan has continued to lead one of the nation’s largest efforts to advance space power and propulsion through Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness and Resilience (SPAR) Institute.

“Spacecraft Equipped with a Solar Sail Could Deliver Earlier Warnings of Space Weather Threats to Earth’s Technologies”

Posted on July 11, 2025 (October 15, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, a research faculty member at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “Spacecraft Equipped with a Solar Sail Could Deliver Earlier Warnings of Space Weather Threats to Earth’s Technologies” for The Conversation. The article highlights how solar sails, as deployed in the SWIFT mission, could improve protections against space Continue Reading »

“It Happened at Michigan: U-M Alum Was First American to Walk in Space”

Posted on June 23, 2025 (July 16, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

In an article for The University Record, Edward H. White II, a 1959 graduate of the University of Michigan, was featured about being the first American to walk in space. His story was featured in the article “It Happened at Michigan: U-M Alum was First American to Walk in Space.” | June 23,