Michigan Engineering News

Defining the past, propelling the future

A look at Michigan Engineering’s leading role in space and aerospace in the last century.

Image of key to graphs with shapes that signify spacecraft, lander and rover
Key to graphs. Graphic by Steve Alvey

University of Michigan Engineering helped lead space discovery beyond the telescope and into its defining era. Aerospace engineers from the country’s oldest program have been at the forefront, and currently innovate CubeSat missions and novel space propulsion devices.

Our Space Physics Research Lab and Climate and Space scientists build unique instruments to monitor the Earth’s environment and explore our solar system. Our new M Space Institute responds to society’s expanding use of space, encompassing multiple disciplines to advance our collective innovation.

We will continue to protect our most precious planet, while traveling across the solar system – and beyond.

Sun & Heliosphere

A sun graphic with representation of four spacecraft orbiting
A Sun graphic with four spacecraft orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Mercury

A Mercury graphic with representation of two spacecraft orbiting
A Mercury graphic with two spacecraft orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Venus

A Venus graphic with representation of one spacecraft orbiting
A Venus graphic with one spacecraft orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Earth

An Earth graphic with representation of 17 spacecrafts orbiting
An Earth graphic with 17 spacecraft orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Fun Fact

University of Michigan has a long list of astronauts among our faculty and alumni base — 22 to be exact.

Moon

A Moon graphic with representation of one spacecraft and one space craft lander
A moon graphic with one spacecraft and one space craft lander. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Mars

A Mars graphic with representation of five spacecrafts, one lander and three rovers
A Mars graphic with five spacecraft, one lander and three rovers. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Jupiter

A Jupiter graphic with representation of three spacecrafts orbiting
A Jupiter graphic with three spacecrafts orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Saturn

A Saturn graphic with representation of one spacecraft lander orbiting
A Saturn graphic with one spacecraft lander orbiting. Graphic by Steve Alvey.

Solar system

And beyond

Michigan’s world-leading space research and education has explored the space weather and habitability of planets, including our own, with highly ambitious current and future space missions. Building on a century of history, our alumni are leaders at NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and others. Join us as we propel the future.

Media Contact

Zach Robertson

Marketing Communications Strategist

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