SERC Projects are concentrated in key areas of spacecraft and satellite engineering and technology that are shared between the Astronautics Department and ISI. The SERC is evaluating research in launch vehicle technology development, micro-satellite technologies, and development of advanced flight systems to support exploration and civil space.
Implementation of projects is through both faculty and staff as well as student projects.
Student Projects:
Student participation in the SERC is supported within the key thrust areas of research. Specific projects are either created by faculty and staff and presented to the students, or by students themselves. Most student projects are executed through the ASTE 291, and ASTE 491 courses, Directed Research courses, and through the on campus Southern California Astronautics Enterprise (SCAE) student organization.
Lunar Lander Project: LEAPFROG
Microsatellite Project:Aeneas
SERC’s FACULTY RESEARCH PROGRAMS
- Microrobotic Nanosatellite
- Nanosatellite Deployable Apertures
- Next Generation Rocket Scientist: Lunar Lander Prototype Design Team
- The Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ESP) instrument for the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) EUV Experiment.
- SOHO Mission EUV Measurements of Extreme Solar Flares.
- Neutral-particle imaging of the space environment.
- Micropropulsion for Small Spacecraft.
- Short-wavelength optics for space applications.
- Analysis of X-ray imaging using lobster-eye lenses.
- Investigation of high-current MHD cathode plasmas.
- Monte-Carlo simulations of dynamics of high-enthalpy flows.