About UASI
The University of Arizona's Space Institute aims to foster collaboration by offering a comprehensive suite of services, advanced technologies and state-of-the-art testing facilities. By providing these resources, the UASI creates opportunities for researchers and industry partners to work alongside U of A experts, driving innovation and expanding the university's impact in space exploration.
Our Legacy in Space
The University of Arizona (U of A) has an unparalleled history of involvement in space missions dating to the founding of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the first Ranger missions to the Moon. The U of A was the first university to manage a planetary lander mission (Phoenix) and to lead a New Frontiers mission (OSIRIS-REx). Our scientists and engineers have developed, supplied and operated a significant number of instruments to NASA Planetary flagship missions (Pioneer 10, Voyager, Cassini, and numerous Mars missions) and NASA Astrophysics flagship missions (NICMOS for HST, MIPS for Spitzer, and NIRCam for JWST). Smaller space flight missions include (Apsera, Pandora MOC, and CatSat) as well as ground-based telescopes that significantly expanded our understanding of the universe (Large Binocular Telescope, the Magellan Telescope, the Multiple Mirror Telescope, Spacewatch and the Catalina Sky Survey). The University of Arizona Space Institute (UASI) was envisaged and chartered to provide the strong infrastructures for proposal development and project management needed to maintain U of A’s leadership in rapidly changing space-related research.
Top Historical Achievements:
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory: Founded as a pioneering institution in space missions.
- Firsts in Space Missions:
- First university to manage a planetary lander mission (Phoenix).
- First university to lead a New Frontiers mission (OSIRIS-REx).
Mission Contributions and Instrument Development:
- Developed, supplied and operated numerous instruments for NASA’s flagship missions, including:
- Planetary Missions: Pioneer 10, Voyager, Cassini, and various Mars missions.
- Astrophysics Missions: NICMOS for HST, MIPS for Spitzer, NIRCam for JWST.
- Contributed to ground-based telescopes that enhanced our understanding of the cosmos, such as:
- Large Binocular Telescope
- Magellan Telescope
- Multiple Mirror Telescope
- Spacewatch
- Catalina Sky Survey
Recent Project Contributions:
- ASPERA (a NASA SmallSat)
- OSIRIS-APEX (extended mission of OSIRIS-REx)
- GUSTO (a NASA Explorer Balloon Payload)
- CatSat (a student led SmallSat Project)
- Pandora (a NASA SmallSat)
