The SPACE Institute is a transdisciplinary and inter-departmental UCLA community of faculty, researchers and students, elevating space science through the symbiotic interaction of:
fundamental space physics research,
technological innovations,
holistic education and communication with the public, and
engagement with the private space sector.
Summary of Space Sciences at UCLA - click image to zoom in
Why a SPACE Institute now?
UCLA has long been a leader in space science and technology, going back to a time that predates the space age of the 1940s. By the 1960s, seminal UCLA discoveries in space physics, observations, and development of novel computational models propelled UCLA to the forefront of space research in the nation. Ever since the Apollo program, UCLA has been intimately involved in robotic and planetary exploration, which continues to capture the nation’s imagination. Across campus, space science is cross-fertilized with plasma physics in the laboratory, fusion, and materials processing. Recently, there has been unprecedented investment in the space sector from government and industry, much of it occurring in and around Southern California. As the #1 ranked public university in the US, UCLA will engage its outstanding talent pool to take advantage of this grand opportunity. Together, we will create value for our students, the space sector in southern California and across the country, and broader society.
Going forward, UCLA is well-poised to compete with funding proposals and collaborate with instrumentation, satellites, and science/theory/modeling, expanding upon these areas of established strength. New missions to Jupiter’s moon Europa and other Galilean satellites, the other outer planets (Uranus, Neptune), and inner planets (Venus) are currently in planning, with UCLA leadership, instrument, or science participation. A critical mass of faculty with the ability to lead with innovative ideas, train students and young researchers, and identify and seize novel opportunities is key to propelling UCLA at this exciting time.
