Aerospace & Space Sciences

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The future of flight and space exploration is here.Ìý

From pioneering the next generation of autonomous aircraft to leading mission operations for NASA, Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô Boulder is at the forefront of aerospace innovation. We connect groundbreaking discovery to real-world testing and deployment, serving as a global hub for the aerospace economy and tackling the industry’s most complex operational and technical challenges.

Strategic Focus Areas

Space Science & Exploration

  • Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô Boulder is among the few universities that manage full-scale NASA missions—including Kepler, IXPE and GOLD—advancing exploration of the Sun, planets, and deep space through LASP and APS
An illustration depicts NASA's IXPE satellite pointed at a nebula in space with three identical X-ray optics imagers at top, sensors at bottom and solar arrays. Image courtesy of NASA

Human Spaceflight & Bioastronautics

  • Pioneering life-support systems and microgravity research for the next generation of astronauts
  • World leader in designing and building ultraviolet, infrared, and solar monitoring instruments for science, commercial and defense applications
Astronaut performing an experiment

National Security & Defense

  • Resilient space and orbit architecture, RF sensing and PNT (Position, Navigation & Timing)
  • Small Satellite Leadership: National hub for CubeSat design, fabrication, and on-orbit testing; the only entity with a 100% success rate in orbit for small satellite deployment and operations
Satellite dish

Autonomous & Unmanned Systems

  • Advancing UAVs and robotics for disaster response and complex environments
Drone over a forest

Earth Monitoring & Climate

  • Monitoring Earth’s vital signs—from melting ice to weather patterns
A researcher monitors icemelt as part of the MOSAIC mission

Key Departments, Institutes, Centers & Programs

Partnering with the Aerospace Ecosystem

We simplify the path to innovation for our corporate and government partners:

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Streamlined contracting pathways

Guided by tools to reduce negotiation timelines (e.g. term sheets and modular IP menus)

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Industry Research Partnerships (IRP)

Dedicated team providing concierge-level support for research collaborationsÌý

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Talent recruitment, shared facilities and testing services

Access to faculty expertise, unique instrumentation and emerging talent pipelinesÌý

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Venture Partners at Ä¢¹½Ó°Òô Boulder

Campus commercialization arm that spins out startups

Connect with Us

Chris Gustavson

Executive Director, Industry Research Partnerships
RESEARCH & INNOVATION OFFICE
ÌýÌýchris.gustavson@colorado.edu

Ryan Nalty

Director, Aerospace & Defense Sectors
INDUSTRY RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
ÌýÌýryan.nalty@colorado.eduÌý