For 75 years, CU Boulder has been a leader in space exploration and innovation. We travel to space to monitor sea level rise, melting ice, weather patterns and more. Our researchers explore how to track and remove dangerous debris in space. We research the health of humans in space to inform medical applications for people on Earth. Learn more about the latest in space research and science at CU Boulder.
 

barred spiral galaxy IC 5201 in the Crane constellation

CU Boulder leads in NASA astrophysics technology grants to universities

Feb. 3, 2023

A new NASA report shows that the University of Colorado Boulder is the top university recipient of NASA astrophysics technology grants.

Gen. David Thompson, second in command of Space Force, touring the CU Boulder aerospace program with Provost Russ Moore in 2021.

CU Boulder joins academic partnership with US Space Command

Jan. 20, 2023

CU Boulder has been selected as a member of the United States Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise, a new national program designed to expand collaboration and academic exchanges between universities and Space Command.

miniature satellite about the size of a shoebox

Scientists testing future technology to extend solar energy measurements

Dec. 15, 2022

Since July 2022, a miniature satellite about the size of a shoebox has been orbiting Earth and monitoring how much solar energy reaches the atmosphere, one of the "most important" Earth science measurements. Now, scientists are finalizing their analysis of the first five months of the testing.

Artist's depiction of the Orion capsule reentering Earth's atmosphere

What happens to spacecraft when they hit Earth's atmosphere at 25,000 mph?

Dec. 9, 2022

The historic spacecraft soon hit Earth's atmosphere flying at speeds of almost 25,000 mph. CU Boulder aerospace engineer Iain Boyd breaks down what will happen to the capsule, and how NASA will keep it safe on reentry.

Sunset as seen from space

New space instrument to peer at light reflecting from Earth, achieve record accuracy

Nov. 29, 2022

A first-of-its-kind sensor, developed by a team at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, will measure sunlight reflecting from Earth with more accuracy than any instrument in space or on the ground.

Panel of Polaris crew members and CU Boulder researchers talk at a campus event

Before the crew of Polaris Dawn heads to space, they came to campus

Nov. 17, 2022

Ahead of the historic space mission, crew members joined CU Boulder researchers Allie Anderson and Torin Clark to talk about how the eye changes in space, experiencing "space motion sickness" and more.

Rocket on a launch pad with trees and antennas in foreground

NASA’s Orion spacecraft now (finally) heading for the moon. What comes next?

Nov. 16, 2022

NASA’s Orion spacecraft blasted off this morning from Florida in the first stage of its 25-day journey to circle the moon and return to Earth. Two CU Boulder scientists talk about what lies in store for the space agency’s ambitious Artemis Program.

Perseverance takes a selfie of its SuperCam instrument

Rover findings offer glimpse of Red Planet’s ancient landscape

Sept. 29, 2022

CU Boulder geologist Lisa Mayhew serves on the science team for NASA’s Perseverance rover, an intrepid machine that has crossed over nearly 8 miles of the surface of Mars—and is helping to recreate the forces that shaped this planet into what it looks like today.

Artist's depiction of spacecraft about to slam into an asteroid

NASA intentionally crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid. This engineer watched it happen

Sept. 22, 2022

On Monday, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test slammed into an asteroid called Dimorphos at speeds of more than 14,000 miles per hour. CU Boulder aerospace engineer Jay McMahon breaks down how this test could one day help to protect life on Earth.

Engineer inspects SUDA instrument in a clean room

New Colorado space instrument part of flagship mission to Europa

Sept. 21, 2022

In two years, a dust analyzer designed and built at CU Boulder will launch aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, aiding in its mission to determine if Jupiter's icy moon Europa has conditions that could support life.

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