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.ÌýLearn more about the latest in space research and science at CU Boulder.
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Sarah Gillis in front of Fiske Planetarium

Life in space from a CU Boulder alumna who has been there

Nov. 14, 2024

CU Boulder alumna Sarah Gillis is a lead space operations engineer and astronaut trainer at SpaceX with literal out-of-this-world experience.

Woman wearing a t-shirt and shorts seated in a cluttered cabin aboard a space station

CUriosity: Can humans handle the stress of traveling to Mars?

Nov. 13, 2024

As humans spend longer and longer periods in space, the mental health of astronauts is increasingly important, says Aerospace Engineer Katya Arquilla. Her research could help people in orbit and on the ground.

Woman standing on a balcony of a building with the Flatiron Mountains in the background. She is holding a cellphone and standing next to a small radar dish

Engineers transform smartphones into instruments for studying space

Nov. 13, 2024

Millions of Android phones across the globe have helped to capture the swirls and bubbles in Earth's atmosphere high above the surface in incredible detail.

Three bright galaxies with space behind them

Astrophysicists confirm the existence of three galactic ‘red monsters’ in the early universe

Nov. 13, 2024

An international team including astrophysicist Erica Nelson from CU Boulder has identified three ultra-massive galaxies already in place within the first billion years after the Big Bang.

A strong solar flare emitted by the sun

Space weather applications for all

Nov. 8, 2024

The Data Systems group collaborates to create user-friendly applications designed to make space weather data accessible to all, empowering users to explore the latest space weather developments from their browsers.

Amrita Singh working with a vacuum chamber

Doctoral student working to keep astronauts safer on the moon

Nov. 5, 2024

Amrita Singh is studying lunar dust to answer important health and technology questions for future moon missions.

Kian Lopez and Anthony Straub in the lab

Using nanoscale membranes to clean water on the moon

Oct. 17, 2024

Anthony Straub is making major advances in water purification technology for industry and human consumption on Earth and in space thanks to a new NASA grant.

Photo of rocket blasting off from a launch pad

Dust instrument sets sail to Europa aboard NASA flagship spacecraft

Oct. 14, 2024

On Oct. 14, NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying a scientific instrument designed and built by a team at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). Dozens of LASP employees, family members and friends were in Florida to watch the launch.

Lightning strike over the ocean

Lightning strikes kick off a game of electron pinball in space

Oct. 10, 2024

When lightning cracks on Earth, especially high-energy electrons may fall out of Earth's inner radiation belt, according to a new study—an electron "rain" that could threaten satellites, and even humans, in orbit.

RAAVEN uncrewed aerial vehicle

CU Boulder to share atmospheric science tech, expertise through new grant

Oct. 8, 2024

Drone technology and atmospheric science instruments developed by CU Boulder will be available to researchers nationwide through a new NSF grant.

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