The Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research (CCAR) is dedicated to the study of astrodynamics and the application of satellites to science, navigation, and remote sensing of the Earth and planets.

Hosted by the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, CCAR was established in 1985 as a key component of the University of Colorado at Boulder’s emphasis on space science. CCAR brings together a multidisciplinary group of faculty, staff, and students to enhance our understanding of the Earth and the solar system through satellite missions and observations.

Research emphasis areas include astrodynamics, which involves orbital and attitude motion of Earth satellites, interplanetary spacecraft, and planetary bodies; global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) used for orbit determination, remote sensing, and vehicle navigation, and remote sensing of the Earth’s surface, gravity field, oceans, atmosphere and space.