Sign in

Space Sciences Laboratory

@ucbssl.bsky.social
498 followers 1.1K following 87 posts

The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) designs, builds and operates high-return, low-cost NASA missions. Our engineers, scientists and staff support a wide range of space and ground-based projects. 👇 www.ssl.berkeley.edu

PostsRepliesMedia
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Thank you @azizasuleymanzade.bsky.social for stopping to tell us about entanglement as a resource for future instrument design. Looking forward to the arrival of space-based quantum systems at SSL!
Prof. Aziza Suleymanzade, from Berkeley Physics, delivering a presentation at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory standing in front of a projected slideshow.Prof. Aziza Suleymanzade, from Berkeley Physics, delivering a presentation at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory standing in front of a projected slideshow with a graphic depicting a hypothetical quantum network.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The Solar Radio Burst Tracker project, hosted by @zooniverse.bsky.social, needs your help to identify solar radio bursts in Parker Solar Probe spectra. Click on the following link to learn more and volunteer. tinyurl.com/2mah93bp
030
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
We were thrilled to host representatives from @isae-supaero.bsky.social and @cnes.fr who recently toured SSL. They observed instrument development for the @cosi-explorer.bsky.social and PADRE missions. After the tour, ISAE-SUPAERO president Marie-Hélène Baroux gave a talk for members of the lab.
030
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Thanks to Dr. Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, for stopping by SSL to tell us about the latest opportunities with NASA science. We were happy to provide an update on the ESCAPADE MISSION, and hopefully you’ll enjoy the LEGO @cosi-explorer.bsky.social set.
From left to right: Robert Lillis, PI of NASA's ESCAPADE mission, Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Director of the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab, and Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Fox holds a . Fox holds a box containing a  LEGO set of NASA's Compton Spectrometer and Imager mission.Dr. Nicky Fox speaking at a lectern at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab.Dr. Nicky Fox speaking at a lectern at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab.
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Congrats to Isidro Pena, an undergraduate research assistant at SSL who works on the @cosi-explorer.bsky.social! Pena was one of the undergraduate winners of the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award poster competition at the 248th meeting of the @aas.org! 🙌🎉🧪🔭 aas.org/posts/news/2...
Isidro Pena presenting COSI telescope research at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society meeting.Isidro Pena presenting COSI telescope research at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society meeting.
092
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Thanks to Evgenya Shkolnik, professor of astrophysics at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, who delivered our final talk of the semester on the SPARKS mission, which is seeking out habitable exoplanets in our galaxy. 🙏 to @mathmoves.bsky.social for hosting.
Evgenya Shkolnik, Professor of Astrophysics at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, speaking at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) in Berkeley, California,  on the SPARKS mission, which is seeking out habitable exoplanets in our solar system.Evgenya Shkolnik, Professor of Astrophysics at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, speaking at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) in Berkeley, California,  on the SPARKS mission, which is seeking out habitable exoplanets in our solar system.Evgenya Shkolnik, Professor of Astrophysics at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, speaking at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) in Berkeley, California,  on the SPARKS mission, which is seeking out habitable exoplanets in our solar system.
060
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Victoria Coleman, Associate Provost of the Berkeley Air & Space Center, stopped by SSL to tell us about forthcoming opportunities with Berkeley's 36-acre innovation center at NASA's Ames campus. She stayed on for lunch and heard ideas for the center from SSL researchers.
SSL Director Lindy Elkins-Tanton andAssociate Provost of the Berkeley Air & Space Center Victoria Coleman posing for a photo as the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.Victoria Coleman, Associate Provost of the Berkeley Air & Space Center, speaking at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.Victoria Coleman, Associate Provost of the Berkeley Air & Space Center, speaking at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.
030
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Thanks to Dr. Umaa Rebbapragada for the amazing talk on AI and machine learning applications the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Thanks also to @mathmoves.bsky.social for hosting us again.
Dr. Umaa Rebbapragada speaking on machine learning applications at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute as part of a UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory event.The auditorium of the at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute in shades of orange and brown. Dr. Umaa Rebbapragada speaking on machine learning applications  before attendees from the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Great talk by Matt Gialich founder and CEO of @astroforge.bsky.social at SSL this afternoon. The conference room was standing room only as we all packed inside to learn more about DeepSpace-2 and its upcoming mission to land on an asteroid. 🙏 for flying up to the Bay to tell us about it.
Matt Gialich, Founder and CEO of AstroForge, speaking behind the podium at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory conference room and standing beside a slide displaying the AstroForge DeepSpace bus.
110
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The Berkeley Ground Station dish is tracking ARTEMIS 2! We're collecting doppler data to send back to the NASA SCaN project.
A spectrum analyzer in there UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory mission operations center with many buttons on the right and a waveform display on the left showing  signal from the Orion capsule.
1365
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Big Give is TODAY! 🎉Learn more about SSL's history below, and please consider donating to support our mission in education, innovation and discovery.👇 #CalBigGive givingday.berkeley.edu/giving-day/1...
041
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Robert Lillis discusses the unique advantages of pursuing a career in space science at Berkeley. 🚀 Support space education, innovation and discovery by donating to SSL. #CalBigGive begins tonight at 9PM.👇 givingday.berkeley.edu/giving-day/1...
010
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
NASA's ESCAPADE mission is now studying Earth's magnetotail. PI Robert Lillis describes this first ever visit to a distant region of the magnetosphere. Read more 👇 ssl.berkeley.edu/escapade-mag...
1103
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
SSL leads the auroral imaging instrument for NASA's forthcoming CINEMA mission, which will explore the connection between auroras and Earth's magnetotail. 👇Read more here: ssl.berkeley.edu/cinema-missi... 🙏 @jhuapl.bsky.social, @dartmouthartsci.bsky.social and also @vincentledvina.bsky.social
1105
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Thanks to professor Francis Nimmo of @ucsc-eps.bsky.social, who launched our special Friends of SSL colloquium series with a talk on the Moon's formation. A big thanks also to our friends at @mathmoves.bsky.social for hosting the talk in your beautiful auditorium.
Francis Nimmo, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, smiling for a photo after a talk at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute at UC Berkeley. Francis Nimmo, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, speaking in front of a crowd at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute at UC Berkeley.Francis Nimmo, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, speaking behind a podium at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute at UC Berkeley.
092
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Berkeley Professor Walter Alvarez, who developed the theory that the dinosaurs were killed by an asteroid impact, stopped by SSL to present his research. We had a lively debate on the likely composition of the body that created the Chicxulub crater.
Prof. Lung S. Chan and Prof. Walter Alvarez, both of the Berkeley Department of Earth & Planetary Science, pose for a photo after a talk at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.  Prof. Walter Alvarez of the Berkeley Department of Earth & Planetary Science delivering a presentation entitled The End of the Dinosaurs.Prof. Walter Alvarez of the Berkeley Department of Earth & Planetary Science delivering a presentation entitled The End of the Dinosaurs.
0151
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The Carruthers mission, led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Lara Waldrop and managed by SSL, has arrived at an L1 orbit between the Earth and the Sun. Its 2-year science mission observing Earth's exosphere begins in March.
051
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
ESCAPADE's Gold spacecraft executed a near-perfect burn on Jan 6, putting it on the kidney bean path that will bring both spacecraft back to Earth for interplanetary slingshot in November. Instrument commissioning activities begin next week.🙏to @rocketlabcorp.com and Blue Origin.
Kidney bean-shaped spacecraft trajectory plot showing Earth, L2 and spacecraft course. Created on January 8, 2026.
031
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Scientists with @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social's SSL, @berkeleylab.lbl.gov and NASA discovered compounds in Asteroid Bennu samples not known to occur in nature, showing how molecules thought necessary for life may have first emerged in cryogenic environments.👇 www.ssl.berkeley.edu/berkeley-sci...
092
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Commissioning of NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, currently operated by @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social and @rocketlabcorp.com, is proceeding smoothly. ESCAPADE snapped this selfie in visible and infrared light. 👇 ssl.berkeley.edu/escapade-sen...
Infrared image of Gold spacecraft's port solar array captured by VISION camera (provided by Northern Arizona University). Credit: NASA/UC Berkeley SSL/Northern Arizona University-Radiant/LucintVisible light image of Gold spacecraft's port solar array captured by VISION camera (provided by Northern Arizona University). Credit: NASA/UC Berkeley SSL/Northern Arizona University-Radiant/LucintComposite of visible light (left) and infrared (right) images of Gold spacecraft's port solar array captured by VISION camera (provided by Northern Arizona University). Credit: NASA/UC Berkeley SSL/Northern Arizona University-Radiant/Lucint
082
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has successfully launched NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars from Cape Canaveral. ESCAPADE is the first UC Berkeley–led planetary mission, using two twin satellites, Blue and Gold, to map Mars’ magnetic field and atmosphere in 3D.
030
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
John Tomsick, PI of NASA's COSI mission, describes the practical applications resulting from gamma ray detectors. From PET scans to radiation monitoring to protecting astronauts, Compton imaging technology has a profound impact on our health and safety.
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Scenes from our Mission Operations Center during launch of NASA's Carruthers, IMAP and SWFO-L1 on Sept 24. SSL operates Carruthers, built the instrumentation and contributes to the science. We also built an instrument for SWFO-L1 and lead an experiment on IMAP.
The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory's Mission Operations Center during launch of Carruthers, IMAP and SWFO-L1 on September 24. The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory's Mission Operations Center during launch of Carruthers, IMAP and SWFO-L1 on September 24. The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory's Mission Operations Center during launch of Carruthers, IMAP and SWFO-L1 on September 24. The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory's Mission Operations Center during launch of Carruthers, IMAP and SWFO-L1 on September 24.
010
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
NASA's Carruthers mission launched this morning and is communicating with the Mission Operations Center at the @UCBerkeley Space Sciences Laboratory. Read more 👇 ssl.berkeley.edu/nasas-carrut...
142
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Space science benefits every American. University space science programs are part of a vast aerospace economy that boosts local economies in every state in the country. #SpeakUp4Science #StandUpForUC
031
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Space science is important for all Americans. Private aerospace ventures benefit immensely from the training pipeline made possible by university space science programs. #SpeakUp4Science
021
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Big thank you to Lara Waldrop for the talk at SSL. Lara leads the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory. It will orbit the Sun to capture UV images of Earth’s exosphere. SSL built many of the instruments and will contribute to the research and operate the spacecraft.
Lara Waldrop PhD of the University of Illinois at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.Lara Waldrop PhD of the University of Illinois at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.Lara Waldrop PhD of the University of Illinois at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.
021
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Thank you to "Aurora Guy" @vincentledvina.bsky.social for stopping by @ucbssl.bsky.social to tell us about your efforts to engage citizen scientists and aurora chasers in space weather research.
"Aurora Guy" Vincent Ledvina presents on space weather at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory."Aurora Guy" Vincent Ledvina presents on space weather at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory."Aurora Guy" Vincent Ledvina presents on space weather at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
America needs the strongest possible NASA, commercial space and university network to remain safe, growing, and inspiring. Space science underpins our national security, boosts local economies, develops new technologies/resources and reveals where we stand in the cosmos.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The Solar Polarization and Directivity X-Ray Experiment (PADRE), led by SSL, launched today. PADRE will measure polarization and directivity of hard X-rays emitted during solar flares with the aim of developing better prediction models for solar emission events.
041
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
John Bonnell, project physicist at SSL, describes NASA's TRACERS Mission, which will study the magnetopause (the boundary between the Earth's magnetosphere and the solar wind) with the aim of better understanding space weather.
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Join SSL researcher and mission specialist Martin Sirk for an observational astronomy class far from city lights in the Sierra Nevada this summer. sierra.sfsu.edu/astr-216-pra...
Timelapse night sky art photo by Scott Fin.Timelapse night sky art photo by Scott Fin.SSL researcher Martin Sirk at SFSU field campus with telescope
010
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
‪Photos of the SSL/@laspatcu.bsky.social-built AETHER sensor, designed to measure electric field fluctuations in the ionosphere. The full instrument is designed for use on NASA’s Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) mission to study coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere.
A Thermal Noise Receiver (TNR) antenna for the Atmospheric Electrodynamics probe for THERmal plasma (AETHER) instrument.A Thermal Noise Receiver (TNR) antenna for the Atmospheric Electrodynamics probe for THERmal plasma (AETHER) instrument.Pictured with the sensor are members of the SSL AETHER team. From left to right: Ranyah Khan, Roberto Ortiz-Soto, Marc Pulupa, Michael Ludlam, Trevor Bowen
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Big thanks to @edwinkite.bsky.social whose talk on prospects for terraforming Mars filled our conference room and elicited lively discussion.
031
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
SSL's designate director, Lindy Elkins-Tanton, discusses her research, leadership style and NASA's Psyche mission.
020
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Aerospace Engineer Bradley Pafchek and Aerospace Instrumentation Mechanical Engineer Matt Rubly assembling the payload for NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) satellite mission at the Space Sciences Laboratory. See more at: www.ssl.berkeley.edu
Aerospace Engineer Bradley Pafchek and Aerospace Instrumentation Mechanical Engineer Matt Rubly assembling the payload for NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) satellite mission at the Space Sciences Laboratory.Aerospace Engineer Bradley Pafchek assembling the payload for NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) satellite mission at the Space Sciences Laboratory.Aerospace Instrumentation Mechanical Engineer Matt Rubly assembling the payload for NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) satellite mission at the Space Sciences Laboratory.Aerospace Engineer Bradley Pafchek assembling the payload for NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) satellite mission at the Space Sciences Laboratory.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
John Tomsick, research scientist at SSL, explains how Compton telescopes make gamma-ray images of the sky. Tomsick is principal investigator on NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission which hopes to learn more about element formation and antimatter at the center of our galaxy.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
John Tomsick, research scientist at SSL, discusses gamma-ray bursts. Tomsick is principal investigator on NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission. COSI will search the skies for gamma-rays in hopes of learning more about black holes and neutron stars.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
John Tomsick, research scientist at the Space Sciences Laboratory and principal investigator on NASA’s Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission, discusses the mysterious fountain of antimatter at the center of our galaxy. COSI will search for gamma-rays in hopes of solving the mystery.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope launched on Tuesday. The spacecraft, built by @caltech.edu and NASA JPL includes an instrument control electronics box designed and built by the SSL.
193
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
We're seeking applications from UC Berkeley sophomores for the Ursa Minor program. These paid apprenticeships support R&D and NASA flight projects. Applicants must be eligible for work-study and familiar with aerospace technology. Apply by March 15. 👇 www.ssl.berkeley.edu/ursa-minor/
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Please join us March 13th from 4:30PM to 5:30PM at 3110 Etcheverry Hall for our next undergraduate seminar featuring Kara Gaiser, a Berkeley mechanical engineering major who intends to minor in Aerospace Engineering. She previously worked at Vast Space and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
000
Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Please join us at 3110 Etcheverry Hall on Wed, Feb 19th at 5PM as the @ucbssl.bsky.social and UC Berkeley College of Engineering's Aerospace Engineering Program proudly welcome NewSpace, a student organization at the intersection of space technology and entrepreneurship. #sslundergrad
000