Along with our growing list of academic courses and programs for education and training (i.e., workforce development) in space engineering, biomedicine, and science, Pitt Space features a wealth of space research programs, projects, and missions spanning these three core areas of strength.
In Space Engineering, researchers in the Swanson School of Engineering are creating and operating advanced spacecraft systems and applications for on-board sensing, processing, storage, and comms as well as maximizing spacecraft reliability, performance, adaptability, and AI integration while minimizing power, size, weight, and cost. Research features leading faculty members in the NSF SHREC Center and across multiple academic departments. The scope of Pitt research in space engineering is broad and growing.
In Space Biomedicine, researchers in the six Schools of the Health Sciences as well as the Bioengineering Department are designing and developing technologies to support astronaut health and leveraging the space environment to produce biomedical technologies for terrestrial use.
In Space Science, researchers in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences are combining cutting-edge theoretical, computational, and observational techniques with instrument and mission development to better understand the properties and evolution of the universe, from the dynamic processes of Earth and the planets to the structures of the largest galaxy clusters. Research features leading faculty members in multiple academic departments including Physics and Astronomy and Geology and Environmental Science.
Much of space research at Pitt involves experiments conducted in space, featuring new technologies being developed and perfected for the harsh and resource-constrained environment of space. Pitt researchers in all three core areas of space research (engineering, biomedicine, science) are experienced in leading and supporting space missions and experiments. One ongoing space mission led by Pitt is CASPR, which has been operating in low-Earth orbit since 2021 on the International Space Station and controlled by a ground station on campus. Another ongoing space mission driven by Pitt researchers is the GEO-URP system for volcanic observations in geostationary orbit.
