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 James Webb Space Telescope

Webb telescope spots super old, massive galaxies that shouldn’t exist

Feb. 22, 2023

In a new study, CU Boulder astrophysicist Erica Nelson and her colleagues spotted six "fuzzy dots" of light in images from the James Webb Space Telescope. The candidate galaxies may have existed just 500 to 700 million years after the Big Bang and contain almost as many stars as the Milky Way.

Buffalo statue on campus with solar eclipse in the background

Taking solar eclipse photos is a snap with gizmo developed by astronomer

Feb. 9, 2023

Doug Duncan searched online for something that would allow enthusiasts to safely use their cameras to watch eclipses, but he came up empty-handed. So, he decided he would have to invent something himself.

View of the Taurus Molecular Cloud

A star is born: Study reveals complex chemistry inside ‘stellar nurseries’

Feb. 6, 2023

The universe's carbon atoms complete a journey that spans eons—forming in the hearts of dying stars, then becoming a part of planets and even living organisms. Now, a team led by CU Boulder scientist Jordy Bouwman has uncovered the chemistry behind one tiny, but critical, step in this process.

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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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.

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