Space Science Department

Since 1977, the SwRI has played a key role in NASA space physics and planetary missions. With expertise in planetary and space science, instrument design and fabrication, and data systems development, the Institute contributes significantly to understanding the solar system and to the study of solar system bodies, in situ and remotely.

Using state-of-the-art computer modeling and data analysis techniques, the Space Science Department investigates solar system and astrophysical phenomena from theoretical and observational standpoints. Historically, space research at SwRI has emphasized magnetospheric and auroral physics, centering on the Earth's plasma environment and its response to the solar wind.

Complementing these activities is SwRI's space instrumentation program. SwRI-developed plasma instruments have flown on sounding rockets and satellites, including the two Dynamics Explorer spacecraft and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, and will be flown on the Polar spacecraft and the Cassini Saturn Orbiter. New instruments under development include a novel energy-mass spectrograph for energetic neutral atom imaging of magnetospheric plasmas, a miniature electrostatic dual spherical analyzer for concurrent ion and electron measurements of auroral plasmas, a miniaturized optimized smart sensor (MOSS) for in situ plasma measurements, and the ultraviolet spectrograph component for the Highly Integrated Pluto Payload System (HIPPS). With their innovative designs, low resource requirements, and high performance, MOSS and HIPPS embody NASA's philosophy for future space missions.

Scott J. Bolton, Ph.D.,Director
John S. Eterno, Ph.D., Assistant Director

• Power Systems
• Data Analysis and Science Support Software
• Space Plasma Physics
• Science
• Instrument Systems
• Space Support Systems and Software

Division Publications

Planetary Science Directorate, Colorado

Space Science and Engineering
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September 01, 2010