UM Clasp – University of Michigan Space Institute

BepiColombo Mission Set to Enter Mercury’s Orbit

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

As the BepiColombo mission prepares to enter orbit around Mercury this November, University of Michigan researchers are gearing up for a new window into a world they’ve spent years trying to understand.

“Falcon 9 Ushered in the Modern Space Economy – Retiring It Could Leave the Industry Vulnerable”

Posted on October 28, 2026 (October 28, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, an associate research scientist at University of Michigan Climate and Space, wrote a piece for The Conversation titled “Falcon 9 ushered in the modern space economy – retiring it could leave the industry vulnerable.” | October 28, 2026

CYGNSS Mission Celebrated at National Air and Space Museum

Posted on August 13, 2026 (October 19, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

A reception was held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on August 11 to celebrate a decade of the CYGNSS Mission and its impact on earth science. A model of a CYGNSS satellite was featured in the museum's new RTX Living in the Space Age Hall exhibit.

“NASA is Testing an AI Model to Protect Artemis II Astronauts from Solar Radiation”

Posted on April 4, 2026 (April 9, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Lulu Zhao, assistant professor of climate and space sciences and engineering, and principal investigator of U-M’s CLEAR Center was featured on Earth.com in the article “NASA is Testing an AI Model to Protect Artemis II Astronauts from Solar Radiation.” The article discusses how the CLEAR Center is providing forecasts of dangerous solar radiation Continue Reading »

Chris Ruf Named to the National Academy of Engineering

Posted on February 10, 2026 (February 12, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

Congratulations to Director of the U-M Space Institute, Dr. Chris Ruf, for receiving the prestigious honor of being elected to the National Academy of Engineering! This year, the NAE elected 130 new members and 28 international members, as announced on February 10th.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Features CYGNSS Mission Led by University of Michigan

Posted on January 21, 2026 (February 5, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

The CYGNSS Mission led at the University of Michigan will be exhibited in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in July. The museum will feature a replica of NASA’s CYGNSS mission in the “RTX Living in the Space Age Hall.” Named the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, CYGNSS was developed at the University of Michigan’s Space Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) and the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLASP).

Human Exploration of Mars: National Academies Give NASA Their Recommendations

Posted on December 10, 2025 (March 26, 2026) by U-M Space Institute

NASA hired the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to identify the scientific community’s priority objectives for human study and exploration of Mars, as well as the types of measurements, samples and studies needed to complete the objectives. The Academies delivered their report to NASA in December.

“Google’s Proposed Data Center in Orbit Will Face Issues With Space Debris in an Already Crowded Orbit”

Posted on December 3, 2025 (December 11, 2025) by U-M Space Institute

Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, an Associate Research Scientist at University of Michigan Climate and Space, wrote a piece for The Conversation titled “Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit.” | December 3, 2025

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,