A space system consists of all of the elements necessary to complete a successful space mission: spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground operations, etc. Often, it is the behavior of the system as a whole that determines success or failure, not the optimal design of any one part.

At SSRL, our emphasis is on the end-to-end system; it informs our research activities as well as how we train our students.

Space Systems Engineering

The Mission of the Space Systems Research Laboratory is to perform world-class research in the design, fabrication and operation of space systems, and to produce world-class space systems engineers.

Faculty

  1. •Dr. Sanjay Jayaram, Director
    [sjayaram at slu.edu]

  2. •Dr. Michael Swartwout, co-Director
    [mswartwo at slu.edu]

  3. •Dr. Kyle Mitchell
    [mitchekk at slu.edu]


Graduate Students

  1. •Jacob Christian

  2. •Manuel Posso

  1. •COPPER, a 1U CubeSat to flight-test the use of a commercial microbolometer (long-wave infrared imager) for Earth observing and space situational awareness. COPPER was SSRL’s entry in the AFRL University Nanosat-6 competition and was selected by NASA to launch in August 2013 as part of the ELaNa-IV mission.

  2. •Argus, a 2U CubeSat developed in partnership with Vanderbilt University to improve modeling of the effects of radiation on modern space electronics. It is SSRL’s entry in the AFRL University Nanosat-7 competition, and was selected by NASA to launch on a future ELaNa flight.

Current Projects

Get Involved!

There are many ways to participate in SSRL: graduate research, undergraduate research, student volunteer, summer intern, senior design and through our formal coursework. Click here for more options.

Latest News from SSRL

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