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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Artist's depiction of the star EK Draconis ejecting a coronal mass ejection as two planets orbit

A young sun-like star may hold warnings for life on Earth

Dec. 9, 2021

On April 2020, astronomers observed a gigantic burst of energy and charged particles erupting from the surface of a far away star called EK Draconis. The findings suggest that similar events could, theoretically, occur on our own sun––albeit rarely.

Artist’s representation of NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in Earth’s orbit. Credit: NASA

Students, staff ready to operate NASA’s new IXPE mission to study black holes

Dec. 7, 2021

Years of preparation will culminate this week when LASP students and staff assume control of the nearly $200 million IXPE mission just after it lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

A glass block marks Saturn's spot in the solar system, along with its moons Tethys, Rhea and Dione.

Hear planets sing as you ‘walk’ through space in new solar system model

Dec. 7, 2021

For about 35 years, the babyÖ±²¥app Scale Model Solar System has delighted campus visitors by shrinking Earth's cosmic neighborhood down to a short walk. Now the exhibit is getting a new update and an interactive smartphone app.

Stock image of NASA probe in space

Tiny grains, severe damage: How hypervelocity dust impacts can damage a spacecraft

Nov. 12, 2021

New research out of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics gives the most complete picture yet of how high-speed dust impacts may damage a spacecraft and disturb its operations.

The Andromeda Galaxy as seen by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

Gravitational ‘kick’ may explain the strange shape at the center of Andromeda

Nov. 2, 2021

A new study dives into the explosive physics of what happens when two supermassive black holes collide.

Lightning strikes during storm

Lightning strikes may trigger short-term thinning in the ozone layer

Oct. 11, 2021

New research shows how a bizarre phenomenon that stretches from Earth's surface hundreds of miles into space can alter the chemistry of the atmosphere.

Image of the Chang'e 5 landing site taken from below the lander

First moon rocks in 45 years fill gap in lunar history

Oct. 7, 2021

China's Chang'e 5 mission landed in a region of the moon more than 850 miles from the nearest Apollo landing site. The rocks the mission collected are raising questions about how lava flowed across the lunar surface 2 billion years ago.

Xinzhao Chu's lidar facility in Antarctica (photo provided)

$3.3 million grant to advance climate and space weather research from Antarctica

Oct. 7, 2021

It is one of the coldest and most isolated places on Earth, but for a team of scientists and engineers from CU Boulder, it is the ideal location to conduct complex space-atmospheric research: the frozen tundra of Antarctica.

Artist's depiction of an asteroid belt

United Arab Emirates, LASP announce new mission to explore the asteroid belt

Oct. 6, 2021

A new space mission will travel to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to gather data on the origins of the universe.

Artist's depiction of a hot Jupiter orbiting its home star

New cereal box-sized satellite to explore alien planets

Sept. 23, 2021

For years, many scientists didn't think that CubeSats, or unusually small spacecraft, could take on serious science questions. Now, for the first time, a NASA-funded CubeSat mission will explore planets orbiting far-away stars.

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