Michigan Aerospace – University of Michigan Space Institute

Zurbuchen, Formerly of U-M, NASA, Honored by Center for Entrepreneurship

Posted on December 5, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) honored co-founder Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with the presentation of a new award bearing his name, as well as the renaming of the center’s long-running Friday speaker series he launched, EHour.

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.

The People Behind SPAR: Eric Viges

Posted on April 24, 2025 (August 27, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

As one of the key players the new Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness and Resilience (SPAR) Institute, Eric Viges is taking on the technical leadership role as head of the institute’s power division. With this, he will be coordinating different elements of the power side to bring together sub team members and do systems demonstrations in Year 2 and Year 5 of the project.

Alumna Aisha Bowe Ready to Launch on Historic All-Women Space Flight

Posted on April 9, 2025 (April 30, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Aisha Bowe, an alumna from Michigan Aerospace, is set to board the first-ever all-women Blue Origin flight, scheduled to launch on April 14, 2025. This historic flight will be Blue Origin’s 11th human space mission that will cross the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, 62 miles (100 km) above Earth.

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.

“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

Kick-Off Meeting Held for the $35M U-M SPAR Institute

Posted on December 3, 2024 (February 6, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

The five-year, $35M Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness and Resilience (SPAR) Institute held its official kick-off meeting on December 4, 2024.

NASA AACES Initiative Calls on Electra Partnership with U-M

Posted on November 14, 2024 (January 9, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Electra.aero, Inc. has been awarded the first contract from NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative. The award will look to Electra to develop technologies for reduced carbon emissions in commercial airliners while working alongside the University of Michigan.

“U-M Selected by the U.S. Space Force for Research Development Institute”

Posted on October 10, 2024 (November 13, 2024) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Benjamin Jorns, an associate professor for Michigan Aerospace Engineering and the director of the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL), was featured in “U-M selected by the U.S. Space Force for research development institute” for The Michigan Daily. The University will receive $34.9 million in funding to work alongside the Rochester Continue Reading »

Enduring the Fireball of Spacecraft Re-entry through Improved Radiative Heating Prediction

Posted on July 31, 2024 (October 3, 2024) by U-M Space Institute

When we think about space missions, our minds often drift to unforgettable moments from the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle Orbiter, or blockbuster movies. Among the many lasting memories from these endeavors, the image of the spacecraft engulfed in fiery plasma before safely landing back on Earth may be the most significant, as it symbolizes a successful mission. At the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering, researchers are working to better understand the complex scientific and engineering efforts behind these awe-inspiring scenes to ensure our astronauts continue to get home safely.