2010

SwRI energetic particle instruments selected for Solar Probe Plus mission

Mission marks first journey into Sun's outer atmosphere
[Thursday, September 02, 2010]

IBEX mapping mission yields intriguing new studies about solar system, lively debate among researchers

Science mission now extends into multiple research studies
[Monday, August 16, 2010]

Many famous comets originally formed in other solar systems

The Sun is believed to have captured these bodies from other stars
[Thursday, June 10, 2010]

SwRI joins commercial spaceflight federation

Initiative aims to build capabilities for placing scientists in suborbital space
[Monday, May 03, 2010]

Source of zodiac glow identified

Antarctic micro-meteorites believed to be comet remnants
[Thursday, April 15, 2010]

1980s video icon glows on Saturn moon

Cassini produces best-yet temperature map and images of ice moon Mimas
[Monday, March 29, 2010]

SwRI researchers begin Starfighters suborbital space flight training aboard F-104 aircraft

Next phase in the advancement of suborbital research opportunities kicks off
[Monday, March 29, 2010]

Cassini finds plethora of plumes, hotspots at Enceladus

Spacecraft systems record best 3-D images ever obtained of "tiger stripe"
[Wednesday, February 24, 2010]

SwRI announces pioneering program to fly next-generation suborbital experiments with crew

New initiative first of its kind in the nation
[Thursday, February 18, 2010]

SwRI researchers offer explanation for the differences between Ganymede and Callisto

Models show large impact events played a significant role in the moons' formation
[Monday, January 25, 2010]

NASA’s Rosetta “Alice” spectrometer reveals Earth’s ultraviolet fingerprint in Earth flyby

Spacecraft on course to meet cometary target in 2014
[Thursday, January 14, 2010]

Researchers to begin first NASTAR suborbital spaceflight training course

Course will qualify students for the physiological rigors of suborbital human spaceflight
[Monday, January 04, 2010]

2009

Southwest Research Institute's integrated avionics control NASA's WISE spacecraft

WISE will use infrared light to scan the sky using sensitivity hundreds of times greater than ever before
[Friday, December 11, 2009]

Cassini closes in on the centuries-old mystery of Saturn's moon Iapetus

Analyses suggest migrating ice, dust may explain unusual appearance
[Thursday, December 10, 2009]

Conference outlines suborbital research opportunities

Atmospheric science, astrophysics, solar physics and other space science topics to be discussed
[Friday, October 23, 2009]

First IBEX maps reveal fascinating interactions occurring at the edge of the solar system

Global view of the interstellar boundary builds on point measurements provided by Voyager spacecraft
[Thursday, October 15, 2009]

WorldView-2 satellite features key processing electronics from SwRI

CTIF builds on SwRI's record of more than 50 mission systems with no on-orbit failures
[Thursday, October 08, 2009]

Radar map of buried Mars layers matches climate cycles

MRO's Shallow Radar instrument studying north-polar layered deposits
[Tuesday, September 22, 2009]

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's LAMP shedding light on permanently shadowed regions of the Moon

Lyman alpha emissions will aid LAMP as it seeks water frost on the Moon's surface
[Thursday, September 17, 2009]

Southwest Research Institute organizes first NASTAR Suborbital Space Scientist Training course for future research astronauts

SwRI leading a program providing training for prospective scientist-astronauts
[Tuesday, August 11, 2009]

Primitive asteroids in the main asteroid belt may have formed far from the Sun

Research findings published in July 16 issue of Nature
[Thursday, July 16, 2009]

New instrument has potential to detect water deep underground on Mars

MTDEM uses iduction to generate and receive electromagnetic signals that detect water beneath the planet surface.
[Wednesday, June 24, 2009]

IBEX spacecraft detects fast neutral hydrogen coming from the moon, gives insight to particle "recycling" processes in space

IBEX-Hi instrument measures atoms at speeds of half a million to 2.5 million mph
[Thursday, June 18, 2009]

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission enters implementation phase

Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission enters implementation phase MMS will investigate magnetic reconnection, launch scheduled for 2014
[Thursday, June 18, 2009]

SwRI among awardees of $50 billion federal IT contract

Contract is Institute's first GWAC award
[Tuesday, May 05, 2009]

Joint ESA/NASA mission to use SPICE to explore the center of the Solar System

SPICE will remotely measure plasma properties at or near the Sun
[Friday, March 20, 2009]

Innovative avionics enable search for habitable planets

SwRI system will help guide Kepler spacecraft
[Saturday, March 07, 2009]

New space show highlights IBEX spacecraft’s mission of discovery

Adler Planetarium in Chicago premieres film showcasing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer mission
[Thursday, March 05, 2009]

IBEX collecting science data, building first all-sky map of the edge of the solar system

IBEX will enable researchers to examine the structures and dynamics of the outer heliosphere
[Tuesday, January 13, 2009]

SwRI-led Center for Lunar Origin and Evolution selected to be part of NASA Lunar Science Institute

CLOE will help build fundamental knowledge of the history of the Moon
[Tuesday, January 13, 2009]

2008

IBEX spacecraft reaches orbit, begins instrument commissioning

Science observations will begin in early December
[Wednesday, November 12, 2008]

Ulysses observations reveal Sun is blowing surprisingly weaker solar wind

Solar wind is only about three fourths as strong as it was a decade ago
[Tuesday, September 23, 2008]

IBEX spacecraft heads west, takes major step toward launch

Spacecraft will reveal fascinating new details about the region separating our solar system from interstellar space
[Thursday, July 24, 2008]

Burch awarded COSPAR's inaugural Jeoujang Jaw award

Dr. James L. Burch recognized for space research work
[Monday, July 14, 2008]

SwRI's Young named Fellow of American Geophysical Union

Dr. David T. Young recognized for his innovative work in space sciences
[Wednesday, April 02, 2008]

Cassini tastes organic material at Saturn's geyser moon

Materials have surprising composition
[Wednesday, March 26, 2008]

SwRI hosts conference on “Export and Licensing Requirements for Space-Based Programs” 2006 Nobel Prize winner Dr. John Mather is keynote speaker

National conference provides comprehensive export control information
[Friday, February 15, 2008]

Real-time space radiation forecasting in place

SwRI research scientist developed new method for predicting approach, intensity of hazardous particles from solar events
[Wednesday, February 13, 2008]

2007

NASA approves space mission to unlock the secrets of magnetic reconnection

NASA has stepped up to the challenge of an NRC study by defining a four-spacecraft constellation that will probe known magnetic reconnection sites with the highest-resolution charged particle, electric field and magnetic field measurements yet performed in space.
[Friday, November 30, 2007]

New theory proposes Jovian magnetosphere circulates magnetic field remarkably different from that of Earth

New theory proposes Jovian magnetosphere circulates magnetic field remarkably different from that of Earth Structure and magnetospheric processes at Jupiter may be significantly different
[Tuesday, October 23, 2007]

Surprises from the night side of Jupiter

New Horizons takes rare look at Jupiter's night side
[Wednesday, October 10, 2007]

New Horizons' SWAP instrument reveals complex structure, diverse plasma populations in Jupiter's magnetotail

New data collected during Jupiter flyby
[Tuesday, October 09, 2007]

New Horizons’ Alice UV spectrograph observes Io’s atmosphere change in response to eclipse events

Results to appear in Oct. 12 issue of Science
[Tuesday, October 09, 2007]

New research reveals a large asteroid breakup to be the likely source of the impactor that caused a mass extinction event on Earth 65 million years ago

Breakup event in the main asteroid belt likely caused dinosaur extinction
[Thursday, September 06, 2007]

Scientists Find Elusive Waves in Sun's Corona; Discovery Can Help Unlock Secrets of Corona's Heat, Solar Storms

Discovery may provide insight into how Sun affects Earth, solar system
[Thursday, August 30, 2007]

Cassini finds Saturn moons are active

Research by SwRI scientists has revealed possible geologic activity on the ice worlds Tethys and Dione
[Wednesday, June 13, 2007]

New method helps safeguard astronauts by forecasting space radiation hazards with up to one hour advance warnings

SwRI scientist’s research led to new method
[Friday, May 25, 2007]

Cassini spacecraft reveals evidence of tholin formation at high altitudes in Titan’s atmosphere

SwRI scientists and collaborators report results in May 11 issue of Science
[Thursday, May 10, 2007]

New Horizons’ SWAP instrument observes solar wind interactions before Jupiter encounter, prepares for revealing science mission

New data may answer some questions about solar wind and Jupiter’s magnetosphere
[Wednesday, February 07, 2007]

SwRI proposal for Mars Scout orbiter mission selected for study by NASA

The Great Escape is one of two finalists
[Wednesday, January 10, 2007]

2006

McComas named Fellow of AAAS

Solar wind, Earth’s magnetosphere research garners recognition
[Monday, November 27, 2006]

Ward named Fellow of AAAS

SwRI scientist recognized for contributions to study of planetary dynamics
[Monday, November 27, 2006]

Popular Science names SwRI space physicist one of "Brilliant 10" young scientists

SwRI space physicist Dr. Jerry Goldstein selected
[Tuesday, September 12, 2006]

NASA selects radiation belt mission candidate for further study

LANL-SwRI spectrometer onboard
[Thursday, August 03, 2006]

Goldstein awarded Macelwane Medal

SwRI scientist recognized for research on Earth's plasmasphere
[Tuesday, July 25, 2006]

Pluto's two small moons christened Nix and Hydra

SwRI part of team to discover new Pluto satellites
[Thursday, June 22, 2006]

SwRI researchers offer first explanation for the near constant scale of the gas planet satellite systems

Presence of gas during formation may have contributed to similar mass ratio
[Wednesday, June 14, 2006]

Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission enters implementation phase

IBEX scheduled to launch June 2008
[Friday, May 26, 2006]

Pluto’s New Moons Likely Born with Charon; Pluto May Even Have Rings

Giant impact may have created moons
[Wednesday, February 22, 2006]

New theory resolves mystery of anomalous cosmic rays

SwRI scientists look at termination shock’s shape
[Friday, February 17, 2006]

SwRI-French scientists discover potential link between iron meteorites and the original “building blocks” that formed the Earth

Iron meteorites may be fragments of long-lost asteroid-like bodies
[Friday, February 10, 2006]

Asteroid breakup event covered the Earth in extraterrestrial dust

Findings reported in Jan. 19 issue of Nature
[Wednesday, January 18, 2006]

2005

A century after Gerard Kuiper's birth, U.S. prepares to launch first probe to the Kuiper Belt

NASA makes exploring Kuiper Belt a priority
[Wednesday, December 07, 2005]

Stratospheric airship reaches near-space altitude during demonstration flight

HiSentinel stratospheric airship reached an altitude of 74,000 feet
[Thursday, November 17, 2005]

Astronomers announce discovery of two new moons of Pluto

Hubble Space Telescope used to find the new satellites
[Monday, October 31, 2005]

New Horizons Pluto payload ready for flight, exciting science campaign

SwRI leads the development for the science payload
[Wednesday, October 19, 2005]

SwRI's Walker awarded ASME Holley Medal

Institute scientist selected for space shuttle impact testing work
[Thursday, October 13, 2005]

Study indicates largest body in asteroid belt may have water-ice mantle

Nature to publish letter regarding report on Ceres
[Thursday, September 08, 2005]

Study suggests Titan may hold keys for exotic brand of life

Team of researchers say that several key requirements for life appear to be present on Saturn's moon
[Thursday, September 08, 2005]

Icy moon Enceladus source of mysterious hot spots

SwRI researcher finds geological activity in Saturn's moon
[Tuesday, August 02, 2005]

Nesvorny awarded Urey Prize

SwRI scientist recognized by American Astronomical Society
[Wednesday, July 27, 2005]

SwRI continues exceptional track record by providing key spacecraft avionics for the NASA Deep Impact Mission

SwRI avionics serve as the "brains" of the flyby spacecraft and impactor
[Friday, July 08, 2005]

SwRI wins Air Force Materiel services contract

Institute to lead team of 25 companies through 2012
[Tuesday, July 05, 2005]

SwRI to lead NASA's Juno mission, provide two science instruments

Probe will gather data about Jupiter
[Monday, June 06, 2005]

Lunar "dark spots" point to an upheaval in planetary orbits long after the formation of the solar system

Late heavy bombardment mystery studied
[Wednesday, May 25, 2005]

Deep Roots of Solar Wind Help Predict Space Environment

Chromosphere can be used to predict speed of solar wind
[Tuesday, May 10, 2005]

SwRI to lead NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, will provide innovative science instrument

Hot plasma composition analyzer will measure ion's density, velocity and temperature with unprecedented accuracy
[Tuesday, May 10, 2005]

UTSA, SwRI join forces to offer region's first graduate degrees in physics

Partnership will serve as a model for future collaborations
[Wednesday, April 27, 2005]

Saturn's Uniquely Complex Magnetosphere

New data available in February 25 issue of Science
[Thursday, February 24, 2005]

Saturn surprises scientists studying its aurora

Solar wind direction does not influence Saturn's aurora
[Wednesday, February 16, 2005]

Ward elected Fellow of American Geophysical Union

SwRI scientist recognized for eminence in planetary science
[Thursday, February 10, 2005]

NASA selects SwRI to lead Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission

IBEX will be first mission to image outer boundaries of our solar system
[Thursday, January 27, 2005]

SwRI scientist: Pluto-Charon origin may mirror that of Earth and its Moon

Giant impact may have formed Pluto and its moon
[Thursday, January 27, 2005]

SwRI instrument selected for NASA Lunar Orbiter mission

LAMP will search for and map exposed deposits of water frost near the lunar poles
[Wednesday, January 12, 2005]

Giant Kuiper Belt planetoid Sedna may have formed far beyond Pluto

Report published in the January 2005 issue of The Astronomical Journal
[Monday, January 10, 2005]

SwRI instrument selected for next Mars rover mission to assess radiation hazard for future astronauts

Radiation Assessment Detector will characterize radiation at the surface
[Friday, January 07, 2005]

2004

"Solar ultrasound" waves provide clues about decades-old mysteries

Waves discovered in data from NASA's TRACE spacecraft
[Friday, December 10, 2004]

SwRI ion and electron sensor successfully commissioned for operation aboard ESA Rosetta comet orbiter

Instrument designed to measure solar wind
[Wednesday, September 22, 2004]

SwRI Boulder space research group celebrates 10 years of accomplishments

Anniversary celebrations held Sept. 13-14 in Boulder, Colo.
[Friday, September 10, 2004]

Ignition threshold for impact-generated fires

Theory published in August 20 issue of Journal of Geophysical Research
[Thursday, August 26, 2004]

NASA selects Jupiter mission candidate for further study; two SwRI instruments onboard

Proposed instruments to study jovian aurora
[Monday, July 26, 2004]

SwRI ultraviolet spectrometer aboard Rosetta performing flawlessly on its way to comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

NASA-SwRI Alice instrument will be first ultraviolet spectrometer to reach a comet
[Wednesday, May 12, 2004]

SwRI charged particle detector and ultraviolet spectrometer to fly aboard Rosetta

Ion and Electron Spectrometer and Alice ultraviolet imaging spectrometer will analyze dust and gases from a comet's surface
[Friday, February 20, 2004]

SwRI suborbital science payload gets the goods on Mercury, searches for Vulcanoids

SwRI-developed ultraviolet spectrograph eyes Mercury,Vulcanoids
[Friday, January 23, 2004]

2003

Interstellar hydrogen shadow observed for the first time

Major discovery made using data gathered by CAPS
[Monday, December 08, 2003]

Pushing out the Kuiper belt

Nov. 27 issue of Nature will publish results of new study
[Thursday, November 27, 2003]

New Horizons mission team plans Jupiter encounter

Jupiter flyby would be used to provide a gravitational assist that shaves off years for mission
[Friday, November 21, 2003]

NASA selects SwRI proposal to study interstellar boundary

SwRI one of five candidates vying for two mission slots
[Thursday, November 13, 2003]

Sunlight makes asteroids spin in strange ways

Study suggests collisions affect spin less than sunlight
[Wednesday, September 10, 2003]

View of comets as pristine relics of solar system formation evolves

Prevailing views have changed over past 30 years
[Wednesday, August 06, 2003]

New research uses "solar tsunamis" to study the solar corona

New studies are applying this unusual phenomenon for the first time
[Monday, June 16, 2003]

U.S.-built instrument to fly aboard ESA Mars Express

SwRI built the electron spectrometer
[Wednesday, May 28, 2003]

SwRI researcher to receive Brouwer Award

Dr. William R. Ward named 2004 recipient
[Wednesday, May 14, 2003]

NASA authorizes Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission to move forward

Spacecraft and ground system construction moving forward
[Saturday, April 19, 2003]

Researchers find unexpected MEMS efficiency in vacuum conditions, begin space MEMS development and testing

SwRI built a unique facility for MEMS testing
[Monday, January 27, 2003]

Documentary chronicles the decades-long travels of Voyagers 1 and 2

A&E Network will air "Cosmic Journey: The Voyager Interstellar Mission and Message" Jan. 16 and 25
[Monday, January 13, 2003]

2002

SwRI researchers present new model for jovian satellite formation

Breakthrough in understanding formation of Jupiter's large satellites
[Monday, December 09, 2002]

SwRI researcher awarded Urey Prize

Award recognizes outstanding achievements in planetary science
[Thursday, December 05, 2002]

SwRI researchers make first images of Earth's plasma sheet, discover possible breakthrough for monitoring and predicting space weather

Observation from IMAGE may lead to new technique
[Thursday, December 05, 2002]

SwRI-led team solves mystery surrounding anomalous cosmic rays

Interaction with dust grains near Pluto's orbit cause the rays
[Wednesday, October 30, 2002]

International Ulysses team meets at SwRI

Mission scientists gathered in San Antonio Oct. 10-11
[Wednesday, October 09, 2002]

SwRI research reveals new Kuiper Belt satellite mystery

October issue of The Astronomical Journal publishes Kuiper Belt Objects article
[Tuesday, September 10, 2002]

SwRI improves space ground support operations using Internet, database, and Java technologies

Nation's space program benefits with improved ground operations support capabilities
[Wednesday, August 14, 2002]

Innovative SwRI facility offers unprecedented speeds for calibrating and developing spaceflight instruments

Facility provides faster, more reliable testing
[Tuesday, July 02, 2002]

SwRI researchers ask: Where have all the comets gone?

Most comets disintegrate after their first few passages through the inner solar system
[Thursday, June 20, 2002]

SwRI researchers identify asteroid breakup event in the main asteroid belt

First precise dating of asteroid disruption event
[Thursday, June 13, 2002]

SwRI kicks off Mars initiative in support of expanding NASA program

SwIM invests more than $2.4 million in internal research
[Wednesday, June 12, 2002]

New Horizons Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission Makes Good Progress, Receives Important Endorsements

New Horizons approaches first review
[Monday, April 15, 2002]

NASA Dryden, Southwest Research Institute Search for Vulcanoids

Innovative high-altitude observation program has begun
[Wednesday, April 03, 2002]

Churning Whirlpool Stars in Ultraviolet Jupiter Movie Taken from NASA's Cassini Spacecraft

Video clip shows images from Jupiter's upper atmospheres
[Wednesday, March 13, 2002]

Pluto mission team dedicates Science Operations Center to discoverer of Pluto

Tombaugh Science Operations Center dedicated February 4
[Wednesday, February 06, 2002]

2001

SwRI awarded program to begin development of the first spacecraft to Pluto-Charon and the Kuiper Belt

New Horizons proposal selected by NASA
[Friday, November 30, 2001]

Sunlight may nudge asteroids toward Earth

New Study indicates sunlight may play role
[Thursday, November 22, 2001]

Observations reveal curiosities on the surface of asteroid Ceres

Images are first to resolve detail on Ceres' surface
[Friday, October 19, 2001]

Solar Wind Discoveries at Solar Maximum

Newest observations from Ulysses spacecraft shared
[Monday, October 15, 2001]

Scientists and Engineers Complete NASA-Funded Phase A Study of Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission

Team led by SwRI and John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
[Thursday, September 27, 2001]

SwRI, UCSC researchers identify the Moon-forming impact

Single impact could yield current Earth-moon system
[Wednesday, August 15, 2001]

ALICE miniaturized ultraviolet spectrometer delivered for Rosetta comet mission launch

Rosetta scheduled to launch January 2003
[Wednesday, July 18, 2001]

Seventy-day Jupiter movie pulls patterns out of chaos

Persistent polar weather patterns revealed
[Monday, July 16, 2001]

SwRI proposal for Pluto mission selected by NASA

"New Horizons: Shedding Light on Frontier Worlds" looks at feasibility of mission
[Wednesday, June 13, 2001]

Researchers observe unusually bright flare from jovian aurora

First time for an intense, short-lived auroral emission to be reported
[Wednesday, April 11, 2001]

Astronomers find the Oort Cloud of comets may be far less massive than once thought

Findings demonstrate mass of the Sun’s Oort Cloud overestimated
[Wednesday, January 31, 2001]

2000

Astronomers Image Double Asteroid and a New Asteroid Moon

Astronomers study distant asteroids with new clarity
[Thursday, October 26, 2000]

The Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt and the Early Solar System (IAU JD4.005)

SwRI scientist shares new theories at International Astronomical Union
[Friday, August 11, 2000]

Astronomers report the first detection of a noble gas in a comet and new clues to the origin of Hale-Bopp

Detection of argon in Hale-Bopp announced
[Monday, June 05, 2000]

SwRI anticipating the March 25 launch of San Antonio's first spacecraft

IMAGE will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
[Friday, March 17, 2000]

New theory links moon’s current orbit to its formation via a giant impact

Tilt of moon probably a consequence from a giant collision with Earth
[Tuesday, February 15, 2000]

Innovative airborne astronomy capability now operational

Program places astronomers in the backseat of jet aircraft
[Wednesday, January 19, 2000]

1999

SwRI develops miniaturized, ultra-lightweight charged particle detector for space research

Initial validation of IES a success
[Monday, October 25, 1999]

SwRI scientist receives Sagan Medal

SwRI scientist second recipient of award
[Monday, October 11, 1999]

Astronomers discover moon orbiting asteroid

First images of asteroidal satellite taken from Earth
[Thursday, October 07, 1999]

Pluto's Family: Institute Scientists Study possible shards from the formation of Pluto-Charon

Some Kuiper Belt objects may be from collision
[Wednesday, October 06, 1999]

Planetary accomplishments highlight first five years of research

SwRI branch office in Boulder, Colorado, celebrates anniversary
[Tuesday, September 07, 1999]

SwRI-developed ultraviolet imaging system back in space for July shuttle mission

SWUIS will observe variety of celestial phenomena
[Monday, July 12, 1999]

First results from the Plasma Experiment for Planetary Exploration (PEPE)

Scientists report initial results
[Tuesday, April 06, 1999]

1998

SwRI engineers activate Deep Space One instrument

Plasma experiment for planetary exploration instrument performing well
[Friday, December 11, 1998]

ASPERA instrument to study the interaction of the solar wind with Mars' upper atmosphere

SwRI named co-investigator of European Space Agency program
[Wednesday, December 09, 1998]

SwRI researchers to study Leonids meteor shower from F-15

Ultraviolet imaging system will provide low-cost imaging and photometry
[Friday, November 13, 1998]

SwRI planetary scientists to observe February 26 total solar eclipse

Scientists to make observations from the ground, research aircraft, and NASA satellites
[Friday, February 20, 1998]

1997

SwRI scientists play role in Cassini mission

Two SwRI-developed instruments fly aboard Cassini rocket's Saturn mission
[Friday, October 10, 1997]

Innovative space ultraviolet imager to study comet Hale-Bopp during August shuttle mission

Observations to take place aboard the space shuttle Discovery
[Saturday, August 30, 1997]

1996

IMAGE mission to study the Earth's global response to variations in the solar wind

Fourteen institutions will contribute to the $83 million program
[Monday, April 29, 1996]

Miniaturized science instrument payload will revolutionize future space missions

SwRI is home institution for new payload, designed to reduce spacecraft and instrument mass, power, and cost
[Wednesday, March 13, 1996]

1995

SwRI engineers significantly reduce the size of spaceflight computers

SwRI develops extremely small spaceflight computers to reduce payload weight and lower mission costs
[Monday, November 20, 1995]