Expanding scientific knowledge of Earth, the space environment, solar system bodies, and the wider cosmos since 1959

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RESEARCH ENGINEERING

NASA ESCAPADE

Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers

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SSL at a glance

UC Berkeley Space Science Lab pursues and executes high-impact space science and astronomy. We pair cutting-edge, agile engineering and efficient flight operations with education and mentorship for the next generation.

One of only two university-based institutions in the U.S. capable of executing the full NASA mission lifecycle, SSL has led the way in designing, building and operating high-return, low-cost space missions.

Lead high-impact science

We pursue and execute diverse space science and astronomy projects, from near-Earth to distant worlds.

Build to fly (end-to-end)

We design, build, integrate, test, and operate complete spacecraft and science instruments in-house.

Train the next generation

SSL is a supportive, collaborative environment where scientists, engineers, and staff grow through real missions and mentorship.

1959

Founded

Leading the way in designing, building and operating high-return, low-cost NASA missions

6+

LEAD Principal Investigators

On NASA Explorer Missions

100+

Satellite Projects

Including Apollo 15 & 16, SkyLab, Hubble, COBE, IMAGE, RHESSI, NuSTAR, ICON and PSP

3000+

Educators

Trained

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Featured work

    EngineeringResearch

    Carruthers Geocorona Observatory

    NASA’s Carruthers Geocorona Observatory will image Earth’s exosphere. The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, and the geocorona is the light that emanates from sunlight scattered by the atomic hydrogen atoms of which it is primarily composed. The exosphere is one of our main defenses against the harmful effects of geomagnetic storms, which…

    Active
    Earth - Geospace
    Launched 2025
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    Research

    PSYCHE

    Psyche is both the name of an asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter — and the name of a NASA space mission to visit that asteroid. The Psyche spacecraft is targeted to travel to the asteroid using solar-electric (low-thrust) propulsion, following a Mars flyby and gravity-assist. After arrival, the mission plan calls for…

    Active
    Solar System - Planetary
    Launched 2023; Arrival 2029
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    EngineeringResearch

    ESCAPADE

    NASA ESCAPADE is the first UC Berkeley-led planetary mission. Its two identical satellites, Blue and Gold, will provide an unprecedented stereo view of Mars magnetosphere. ESCAPADE will map the ionosphere and space environment to understand how transfer of solar wind energy and momentum through Mars unique hybrid magnetosphere drives atmospheric loss.

    Active
    Solar System - Planetary
    Launched in 2025; Arrival at Mars in 2027
    Learn More → View all projects →
    EngineeringOperationsResearch

    COSI

    COSI is a wide field of view gamma-ray telescope that obtains high spectral resolution from 0.2 to 5 MeV, enabling sensitive narrow line imaging of the entire Galaxy.

    Active
    Universe - Astrophysics & Exoplanets
    Planned for Launch in 2027
    Learn More → View all projects →

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