Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Encyclopedia
The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is a research organization at the University of Colorado at Boulder
. LASP is a research institute with over 100 research scientists ranging in fields from solar influences, to Earth's and other planetary atmospherics processes, space weather, space plasma and dusty plasma physics. LASP has advanced technical capabilities specializing in designing, building, and operating spacecraft and spacecraft instruments. Founded after World War II, the first scientific instruments built at LASP were launched into space using captured German V-2 rockets. To this day LASP continues a suborbital rocket program through periodic calibration instrument flights from White Sands Missile Range. It was originally called the Upper Air Laboratory, but changed to its current name in 1965. LASP has historical ties to Ball Aerospace Corporation and the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA).
LASP has two facilities: offices on the main CU-Boulder campus, and the “Space Technology Building” in the University’s research park.
LASP’s new facilities allow it to handle almost every aspect of space missions, itself. Hardware facilities allow for the construction of single instruments or entire spacecraft
. A mission operations center allows for the control of spacecraft data collection, and a large research staff analyzes the data.
Being part of the University, LASP has heavy student involvement in every aspect of its operations, including science, hardware design/construction and mission operations.
LASP supports the following spacecraft and instruments:
LASP is involved in upcoming missions:
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. LASP is a research institute with over 100 research scientists ranging in fields from solar influences, to Earth's and other planetary atmospherics processes, space weather, space plasma and dusty plasma physics. LASP has advanced technical capabilities specializing in designing, building, and operating spacecraft and spacecraft instruments. Founded after World War II, the first scientific instruments built at LASP were launched into space using captured German V-2 rockets. To this day LASP continues a suborbital rocket program through periodic calibration instrument flights from White Sands Missile Range. It was originally called the Upper Air Laboratory, but changed to its current name in 1965. LASP has historical ties to Ball Aerospace Corporation and the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA).
LASP has two facilities: offices on the main CU-Boulder campus, and the “Space Technology Building” in the University’s research park.
LASP’s new facilities allow it to handle almost every aspect of space missions, itself. Hardware facilities allow for the construction of single instruments or entire spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
. A mission operations center allows for the control of spacecraft data collection, and a large research staff analyzes the data.
Being part of the University, LASP has heavy student involvement in every aspect of its operations, including science, hardware design/construction and mission operations.
LASP supports the following spacecraft and instruments:
- Galileo ultraviolet spectrometer
- Cassini-HuygensCassini-HuygensCassini–Huygens is a joint NASA/ESA/ASI spacecraft mission studying the planet Saturn and its many natural satellites since 2004. Launched in 1997 after nearly two decades of gestation, it includes a Saturn orbiter and an atmospheric probe/lander for the moon Titan, although it has also returned...
Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) - Upper Atmosphere Research SatelliteUpper Atmosphere Research SatelliteThe Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite was a NASA-operated orbital observatory whose mission was to study the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the protective ozone layer. The satellite was deployed from Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-48 mission on September 15, 1991...
(UARS) Solar/Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) - Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE)
- Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE)
- Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation SatelliteICESatICESat , part of NASA's Earth Observing System, was a satellite mission for measuring ice sheet mass balance, cloud and aerosol heights, as well as land topography and vegetation characteristics...
(ICESat) - Quick Scatterometer Mission (QuikSCAT)
- TIMED (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) Solar EUV Experiment (SEE)
- MESSENGERMESSENGERThe MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging space probe is a robotic NASA spacecraft in orbit around the planet Mercury. The spacecraft was launched aboard a Delta II rocket in August 2004 to study the chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field of Mercury...
(Mercury: Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, Ranging) Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS) - New HorizonsNew HorizonsNew Horizons is a NASA robotic spacecraft mission currently en route to the dwarf planet Pluto. It is expected to be the first spacecraft to fly by and study Pluto and its moons, Charon, Nix, Hydra and S/2011 P 1. Its estimated arrival date at the Pluto-Charon system is July 14th, 2015...
Student Dust Counter (SDC) - Aeronomy of Ice in the MesosphereAeronomy of Ice in the MesosphereThe Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere is a satellite to conduct a 26-month study of noctilucent clouds . It is the ninetieth Explorer program mission and is part of the NASA-funded Small Explorer program...
(AIM) - Kepler Space Observatory
LASP is involved in upcoming missions:
- Solar Dynamics ObservatorySolar Dynamics ObservatoryThe Solar Dynamics Observatory is a NASA mission which will observe the Sun for over five years. Launched on February 11, 2010, the observatory is part of the Living With a Star program...
(SDO) EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) - GloryGlory (satellite)The Glory satellite was a planned NASA satellite mission that would have collected data on the chemical, micro-physical and optical properties—and the spatial and temporal distributions—of sulfate and other aerosols, and would have collected solar irradiance data for the long-term climate record...
Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) - Radiation Belt Storm ProbesRadiation Belt Storm ProbesThe Radiation Belt Storm Probes is a NASA mission under the Living With a Star program. The goal of the LWS program is to develop the scientific understanding necessary to effectively address those aspects of the connected Sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society...
(RBSP) Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) - GOES-RGeostationary Operational Environmental SatelliteThe Geostationary Satellite system, operated by the United States National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service , supports weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and meteorology research. Spacecraft and ground-based elements of the system work together to provide a continuous...
Extreme Ultra Violet and X-Ray Irradiance Sensors - Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment ExplorerLunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment ExplorerThe Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer is a space exploration mission scheduled for launch in early 2013. To carry out the mission NASA will send a robotic spacecraft into orbit around the Moon, and use instruments aboard the spacecraft to study the Moon's atmosphere and dust in the...
(LADEE) Lunar Dust Experiment (LDEX) - MAVEN