USC’s Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) has completed a major upgrade to its space robotics and dynamics laboratory with the installation of a new 6 ft × 8 ft precision granite slab. The new surface expands SERC’s ultra-flat test area for its contact-dynamics “floatbots,” enabling higher-fidelity investigation of spacecraft interaction, docking, assembly, and contact dynamics…

Super proud of SERC PhD Jonathan Messer for graduating and participating in the hooding ceremony for his new degree as “Doctor of Astronautical Engineering”!  His thesis entitled “Spacecraft Attitude Control Through Solar Radiation Pressure Modulation Using Digital Micromirror Devices” provided unique contribution in applied engineering to spacecraft that has never before been postulated or used. …