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. Learn more about the latest in space research and science at CU Boulder.
 

An aerial image of the Martian surface (Image via NASA)

Dust storms on Mars play a huge role in drying out the planet

Aug. 20, 2021

A new Nature Astronomy study led by Michael Chaffin, a researcher at CU Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, indicates that regional dust storms can play a significant role in drying out the Red Planet.

Close up image of the Sun (Image credit: NASA)

Scientists inch closer to cracking mysteries of space weather

Aug. 13, 2021

New research from CU Boulder could help scientists better understand the phenomena behind sunspots and the sun's mysterious inner workings.

Marcus Holzinger testifying before the U.S. Congress

Marcus Holzinger speaks to U.S. Senate on commercial use of space

July 26, 2021

Marcus Holzinger addressed the U.S. Congress, testifying recently before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science, about space situational awareness and space traffic management.

A sunset photo taken from the International Space Station, showing several layers of Earth’s atmosphere. (Image credit: NASA Johnson Space Center)

Branson vs. Bezos: Who wins the race depends on your definition of outer space

July 19, 2021

The lack of a uniform definition of where space begins has scientific and engineering implications that extend well beyond which billionaire gets there first.

Gen. Thompson shakes hand with an ROTC cadet in fatigues

Newest frontier in national security—space—gets boost at CU Boulder

June 28, 2021

The United States Space Force's vice chief of space operations visited campus on June 24, learning about new research on autonomous vehicles, satellites smaller than toaster ovens and more.

The Condon Report

CU the site of one of the last government-commissioned reports on UFOs. What does it say?

June 9, 2021

A 53-year-old government-commissioned report on UFOs was collected at CU Boulder and resides in the University Libraries archives. Heather Bowden, head of Rare and Distinctive Collections, shares her insights.

Area 51

How studying UFOs could lead to new scientific breakthroughs

June 8, 2021

This month, a Pentagon task force will release a long-awaited report digging into a topic typically relegated to science fiction movies and tabloids: unidentified flying objects. Professor Carol Cleland talks about the report and why scientists should take weird and mysterious observations seriously.

Researchers in front of the Mars Desert Research Station

Planning for life on Mars

June 4, 2021

Shayna Hume and a team of fellow students are trying out life on Mars through a unique Earth-based experience at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Image of the globe surrounded by satellites

Crashing Chinese rocket highlights growing dangers of space debris

May 12, 2021

In this Q&A, aerospace engineer Hanspeter Schaub says that the odds of people getting hit by debris falling from space are astronomically low. But collisions in orbit around Earth could still pose a threat to satellites and astronauts.

A satellite and asteroid

Building planetary defenses for killer asteroids

April 23, 2021

Assistant Professor Jay McMahon is joining a groundbreaking NASA mission to test asteroid deflection technology.

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