Research

Our member laboratories are involved in a wide variety of research related to small satellite systems, payloads, and technologies. You can visit their individual laboratory pages for the most up to date information on their research. Here we’ve highlighted a few particular projects they’re involved in key areas of expertise within the collaborative.

Astrodynamics

Astrobee Hardware and Software

Astrobee is a robotic free-flying system developed by NASA to help astronauts reduce time on routine tasks. ARCLab is helping to build and test an Astrobee, as well as studying robotic autonomy algorithms.

Space Traffic Management

ARCLab does a variety of research on STM, including development of robust controllers for autonomous collision avoidance maneuvers, potential slotting architectures and evolution under perterbations, and assessing resiliency.

Sensing Systems

Deformable Optics

SpinAp

Using a rectangular “strip” mirror whose length is equal to the diameter of a circular mirror. we can achieve the same angular resolution at a fraction of the cost and weight by spinning the strip mirror while imaging.

Propulsion Systems

iEPS thruster

Candlewax Rockets

Focus on the use of paraffin and beeswax as a green alternative for in-space propulsion of small satellite missions. Currently investigating centrifugal casting of waxes into annular geometries in microgravity.

Software and Data Focused Research

Invasive Species Management

TROPICs Data Processing

STARlab is currently working with MIT Lincoln Laboratory to provide their data post processing for the Time-Resolved Ovservations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission.