CU Boulder’s research institutes account for more than half of all sponsored research dollars at the university—and employ some of the most productive researchers in the country.

Ann and H. J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences

The Aerospace Engineering Sciences department is home to 47-tenure track, research, and instructional faculty, over 300 graduate students and 750 undergraduates. Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of aeronautics and astronautics research, designing next generation unmanned aircraft, expanding the possibilities of remote sensing, and building space instruments and satellites for orbit around Earth and beyond.

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) combines all aspects of space exploration through expertise in science, engineering, missions operations and data management. LASP’s Solar Influences group focuses on sun and climate, space weather and solar modeling.

Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)

At the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), more than 800 environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES is a partnership of NOAA and the University of Colorado Boulder.

 

Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy

The Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA) is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the universe in which we live through observations, theory, and the development of ground-based and space-borne instrumentation.

Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research

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.

Center for Aerospace Structures

One of four centers within the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, the Center for Aerospace Structures (CAS) is concerned with the analysis and design of complex high-performance materials, structures and systems, predominantly for aeronautical and space applications.

Research & Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles

The Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles (RECUV) is a university, government, and industry partnership dedicated to the development and application of unmanned vehicle systems. RECUV research encompasses scientific experiments, commercial applications, mitigation of natural and man-made disasters, security, and national defense.

BioServe Space Technologies

BioServe Space Technologies is a Center within the Aerospace Engineering and Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. For over 30 years, BioServe has designed, built and flown microgravity life science research and hardware on over 55 space flight missions.