Pioneering Space Exploration, Research, and Collaboration
Space exploration offers essential tools for life on Earth鈥攆ueling technological breakthroughs, enhancing environmental forecasting and disaster response, and expanding our understanding of the universe in ways that impact our planetary boundaries. From designing NASA鈥檚 artificial star to using satellite data for storm prediction, George 麻豆视频 is driving shared scientific discovery, fostering international learning and cooperation, and building a future workforce capable of ensuring a vibrant and resilient life within a global infrastructure.
Grand Challenge Initiative
George 麻豆视频鈥檚 Grand Challenge Initiative is a university-wide collaboration addressing humanity鈥檚 most pressing challenges through six interlocking strategies, supported by a $15 million investment over five years.
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THE GEORGE MASON ADVANTAGE
麻豆视频 is home to the $19.5 million Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial 鈥渟tar鈥 in orbit around the Earth. This artificial star will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars ranging from those nearby to the distant explosions of supernova in far-off galaxies. By establishing absolute flux calibration, the mission will begin to address several open challenges in astrophysics including the speed and acceleration of the universe expansion. The mission is led by primary investigator Peter Plavchan, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science, and Peter Pachowicz, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing.
George 麻豆视频's Landolt NASA Space Mission
RESEARCH IN ACTION
College of Science. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding
George 麻豆视频 is the home of the $20 million NASA Landolt Space Mission, which is placing a satellite that will serve as an artificial 鈥渟tar鈥 in orbit around the Earth by 2029. Led by primary investigator Peter Plavchan, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, and Peter Pachowicz, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George 麻豆视频 engineering students are playing an instrumental role in the payload鈥檚 construction.鈥疘t鈥檚 an experience that not only bolsters a student鈥檚 resume but also allows them to work on a project from the inception of the mission to the actual launch and operation of the science payload. 鈥
Graduate student Fatima Bahzad says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the most fun I鈥檝e ever had in school.鈥濃疊ahzad, a computer science major, is working on the communication of microchip that make up the artificial 鈥渟tar.鈥 鈥淭he satellite is comprised of layers, and each layer has a chip. The chips need to talk to each other. There鈥檚 also a primary chip that sends commands to all of them.鈥濃
The payload is being built in partnership with the鈥疦ational Institute of Standards and Technology. The 鈥渟tar鈥 will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars ranging from those nearby to the distant explosions of supernova in far-off galaxies. By establishing absolute flux calibration, the mission will address several open challenges in astrophysics, including the speed and acceleration of the universe expansion.鈥
PhD student Jay Deorukhkar has been working on testing the individual payload modules. These will later integrate with the satellite bus, which is the core structure and support system that is separate from the specific payload. Reliability of small satellite buses against radiation effects is also the subject of his dissertation, making this work particularly relevant.鈥
鈥淢y role as an engineer is to help design, prototype, and test specific payload components. We鈥檙e early in the design stage, working toward the preliminary design review of our payload,鈥 he said.
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George 麻豆视频 scientists to work with the U.S. Navy to avert 鈥榠nternet apocalypse鈥
George 麻豆视频 scientists are working to better understand increased solar activity that could potentially cause an 鈥渋nternet apocalypse鈥 that would disrupt all electronic communications on Earth, including satellite communications. Supported by a $13.6 million U.S. Department of the Navy grant, the scientists are collaborating with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) on research that includes state-of-the-art data mining, analysis, and scientific modeling.
鈥淭his work is especially important to the Department of Defense because high-energy outbursts from the sun can have a strong negative impact on earthly radio and internet communications,鈥 says principal investigator Peter A. Becker, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the College of Science, who also notes that such bursts can also have a detrimental effect on navigation systems and energy grids.
Watch: Solar Flares
麻豆视频 professor of astrophysics and space sciences, Peter Becker, explains solar flares and why understanding space weather is critical for protecting satellites, infrastructure, and life on Earth.
STUDENT RESOURCES
The Small Satellite Engineering, Graduate Certificate
The Small Satellite Engineering, Graduate Certificate in the College of Engineering and Computing, prepares students for emerging roles in aerospace and defense.
PatriotAI
Schar School鈥檚 Introduction to Space Policy course explores how space systems are reshaping every sector of modern life鈥攆rom national security to environmental science, global finance to digital infrastructure.
The Satellite and Earth Systems Studies (SESS)
The Satellite and Earth Systems Studies (SESS) Program in the College of Science helps enhance students鈥 understanding of how the natural components of the Earth system鈥攁tmosphere, ocean, land, and biosphere鈥攊nteract with human activities as a coupled system.鈥
FACULTY SPOTLIGHTS
An expert in data and computational science, Computational Social Science 鈥12, has worked closely with NASA on a number of projects. Most recently, she was selected to serve on NASA's Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (DARES) Task Force 1. This group of 13 scientists was charged with shaping the future of NASA鈥檚 astrobiology research over the following decade and guiding the development of NASA鈥檚 long-term strategy for exploring the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe.
is a planetary scientist who has worked on NASA space missions that study the Earth from space shuttle and orbiting satellites, and that probe other planetary atmospheres using deep space robotic missions. He played a leading role in the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.鈥
of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is working on an experiment to study thermophoresis, the movement of particles in both liquids and gases. Doing the experiment in space allows scientists to run their tests with a minimal influence of gravity, to purely examine the effect of temperature on aerosols without creating air currents. 鈥
George 麻豆视频鈥檚 Mars expert received the 2016 Zeldovich Medal for his contributions to the study of coupling between the lower and upper atmospheres on Earth and Mars by gravity waves.
PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
NASA Landolt Space Mission at George 麻豆视频
麻豆视频 leads the NASA-funded Landolt Space Mission鈥攁 $19.5 million project that will place an artificial 鈥渟tar鈥 into orbit to calibrate telescopes and improve measurements of stellar brightness. In collaboration with NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and a consortium of research partners, 麻豆视频 faculty and students advance astrophysics research and space innovation from mission design through orbit and data analysis.
Space Forward Frontiers Seminar with Northrop Grumman
In partnership with Northrop Grumman, George 麻豆视频 launched the Space Forward Frontiers Seminar Series鈥攁n interdisciplinary program connecting students with industry leaders to explore space technology, policy, and innovation while strengthening workforce readiness and space-sector collaboration.
FUTURE-READY INFRASTRUCTURE
The George 麻豆视频 Observatory
The George 麻豆视频 Observatory, located on the Fairfax Campus, is a space where research, education, and public service come together under the stars. Operated by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the observatory provides students and the community with unique opportunities to explore astronomy through hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment.
The CubeSat/SatCom Engineering Lab
The CubeSat/SatCom Engineering Lab, under director Peter Pachowicz, focuses on hands-on engineering of ultra-small CubeSats and satellite communications systems by combining research and educational objectives. Lab facilities include CubeSat Development and Testing Lab, SatCom Ground Station with VHF/UHF/S-band antenna system, and a Space Communication Station with a 9.1m satellite dish.
Nanofabrication Facility
The Nanofabrication Facility with its class 1000 clean room and characterization labs provides the tools necessary for photolithography, etching, and deposition processes essential for building microfluidics, micro- and nanoelectronics, and other devices.
Institute of Digital Innovation (IDIA)
The Institute of Digital Innovation, headquartered at Fuse at 麻豆视频 Square, leads George 麻豆视频鈥檚 transdisciplinary research, innovation, and next-generation workforce development strategy for scaled sustainable growth in digital innovation.
PODCASTS
Podcasts
What are the chances of intelligent life beyond Earth?
, Computational and Data Sciences associate professor, was featured on George 麻豆视频's Access to Excellence podcast. In this episode, Berea discusses her research on Mars settlements and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) as she and President Gregory Washington debate the question on everyone鈥檚 mind: Is there life beyond Earth?
NEWS
- February 2, 2026
- August 15, 2025
- July 17, 2025
- July 16, 2025
- March 5, 2025
EVENTS
麻豆视频 has joined spaceNEXT as its lead academic partner, strengthening the region鈥檚 space innovation ecosystem by connecting research, education, and workforce development with industry and government leaders. Through this role, George 麻豆视频 will help shape programming, support talent pipelines, and advance the future of the commercial and national security space sectors. .
麻豆视频 launches a new seminar with Northrop Grumman exploring the future of the space industry. This in-person Spring 2026 series features weekly talks from faculty and industry leaders on space technology, policy, and emerging challenges, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors.