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Space Systems Laboratory (MIT)

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This article is about the lab at MIT. For others, see Space Systems Laboratory. For organizations called SSL, see SSL (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Space Systems Laboratory (Maryland) or Space Sciences Laboratory.
Space Systems Laboratory
MIT_SSL_logo
MIT_SSL_logo
Established1995
Research typeEngineering
Field of research
Aeronautics & Astronautics
DirectorsRebecca Masterson
Dr. Richard Linares
Faculty7
Staff3
LocationCambridge, MA, USA
CampusMassachusetts Institute of Technology
NicknameMIT SSL
Websitehttp://ssl.scripts.mit.edu/www/

The Space Systems Laboratory (SSL) is in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA.[1][2][3] Its mission is to develop the technology and systems analysis associated with small spacecraft, precision optical systems, and International Space Station technology research and development.[4]

History

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A previous Space Systems Laboratory (Maryland) was founded at MIT in 1976, by faculty members Renee Miller and J.W. Mar.[5] In 1990, lab director Dr. Dave Akin moved the lab to the University of Maryland.[6]

The current Space Systems Laboratory was founded in 1995 at MIT. It began as a part of the Space Engineering Research Center (SERC).[7]

The laboratory has a practice of Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO), working to provide students hands-on learning as a part of their coursework.[8][9] One of the laboratory's flagship research testbeds, SPHERES, began in 1999 as an undergraduate senior design project.[10][11][12]

People

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The current directors of the SSL are Rebecca Masterson[13] and Prof. Richard Linares. The principal research scientist is Alvar Saenz-Otero.[14] Former director Prof. Dave Miller[15] is now faculty for the laboratory. Long time staff include Marilyn Good and Paul Bauer.

Faculty members include:

Projects

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ISS Research

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CubeSats

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  • MicroMAS (Micro-sized Microwave Atmospheric Satellite)[28]
  • MicroMAS-2[29]
  • ExoplanetSat[30][31]
  • inflated antenna[32]

Space Shuttle Research

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  • Middeck 0-Gravity Dynamics Experiment (MODE), STS-48
  • Middeck Active Control Experiment (MACE), STS-67
  • Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS), STS-62[33]

Partners

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Associated NASA Programs

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  • Small Satellite Technology Initiative (SSTI)
  • New Millennium Program
  • International Space Station Technology Testbed Program

Alumni

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While the students go off to a wide variety of careers, many SSL graduates have gone to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In particular, several have been on the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) teams of Mars missions.[34][35][36] Allen Chen and Dr. Swati Mohan announced the touchdown of the Mars Science Laboratory and Mars 2020 rovers, respectively.

The laboratory also has strong ties to the United States Air Force, with several students coming from the USAF Academy. Dr. Miller worked with the Academy to create fully funded graduate scholarships to MIT for graduates of its FalconSAT program.[37]

In the news

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A 2014 paper from PhD candidate Sydney Do and several additional SSL graduate students received world-wide attention for its assessment that astronauts wouldn't be able to survive in the Mars One project's design more than a few couple of the months.[38][39] The analysis was performed based on publicly available information of the design.

References

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  1. ^ "About". MIT's Space Systems Laboratory. MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Space Systems Laboratory (SSL) Overview". MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Research Labs". Aero/Astro. MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  4. ^ "SERC + SSL Info". MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  5. ^ "James Mar, former AeroAstro department head and Air Force chief scientist, dies at 96". MIT News. MIT. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  6. ^ UMD Space Systems Lab Home
  7. ^ "Space Engineering Research Center (not maintained)". MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Teaching and the SSL". Space Systems Laboratory. MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  9. ^ "CDIO". Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  10. ^ "The History of SPHERES". NASA. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  11. ^ "SPHERES: How a Class Project Turned into an Experiment Facility in Space". Office of Chief Technologist Space Tech. NASA. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Space Spheres". Spectrum. MIT. Fall 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Rebecca Masterson appointed AeroAstro principal research scientist". MIT News. MIT. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Dr. Alvar Saenz-Otero - NESC Academy Biography". NASA. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  15. ^ "AeroAstro's Miller, Lincoln Lab's Evans named AIAA Fellows". MIT News. MIT. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  16. ^ "Scientist, then astronaut, now lecturer, Hoffman returns to MIT". MIT News. MIT. 13 March 2002. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  17. ^ "MIT's REXIS and Bennu's watery surface". MIT News. MIT. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  18. ^ "NASA Instrument to Use X-Rays to Map an Asteroid". NASA. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  19. ^ "MIT's REXIS is bound for asteroid Bennu". MIT News. MIT. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Student-built instrument headed to asteroid and back". MIT News. MIT. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  21. ^ "To catch an interstellar visitor, use a solar-powered space slingshot". MIT News. MIT. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Mini MIT satellites rocketing to space station". MIT News. MIT. 25 April 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Down to earth: Alumnus Tani returns from space station". MIT News. MIT. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Mini satellites readied for launch". MIT News. MIT. 31 March 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Research update: SPHERES to get powerful magnets and goggles". MIT News. MIT. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  26. ^ "MIT has first experiment aboard space station". MIT News. MIT. 13 September 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Alum completes first space station expedition". MIT News. MIT. 2 May 2001. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  28. ^ "MicroMAS: small is beautiful". MIT News. MIT. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  29. ^ "For collecting weather data, tiny satellites measure up to billion-dollar cousins". MIT News. MIT. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Building a list of Earth candidates". MIT News. MIT. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Searching for life". MIT News. MIT. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  32. ^ Jennifer Chu (6 September 2013). "Inflatable antennae could give CubeSats greater reach". MIT News. MIT. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  33. ^ "Helping space shuttles achieve liftoff". MIT News. MIT. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  34. ^ "MIT alums recount their Martian experiences". MIT News. MIT. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  35. ^ "SSL Graduate Students". MIT. 1990s. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Join the Twitter Chat: MIT Alumni and the Final Frontier". MIT. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Academy, MIT announce new scholarship". USAF Academy. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Mars One (and done?)". MIT News. MIT. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  39. ^ "MIT Students Claim Astronauts Will Starve On 'Mars One' Mission". Popular Science. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
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