Last week, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) welcomed the University of Colorado Board of Regents for a visit and tour of LASP facilities on CU Boulder’s East Campus.
The visit began in the LASP Space Technology Building (LSTB) where the Regents were welcomed with opening remarks by Chancellor Philip DiStefano, Vice Chancellor Massimo Ruzzene, and LASP Director Daniel Baker.
“It was a rare privilege to have so many Regents visit LASP, along with the CU President and the Chancellors of the several CU campuses,” Baker said. “Together, the visitors were able to get a clearer picture of CU’s forefront research, and a deeper understanding of how profoundly such research promotes undergraduate and graduate education and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
The board—including Chair Callie Rennison and Regents Ken Montera, Nolbert Chavez, Glen Gallegos, Wanda James, Frank McNulty, Lesley Smith, Ilana Dubin Spiegel, Mark VanDriel—toured LSTB guided by LASP Engineering Director Tom Sparn. Also attending were Jeremy Hueth, VP, General Counsel & Secretary to the Board, and Effie Ameen, Deputy Secretary to the Board.
The tour showcased LASP’s integration and test labs, as well as the Mission Operations Center where CU Boulder students train to become flight controllers.
“Too often, it is thought that the education mission and the research mission of universities are quite separate elements,” Baker added. “The LASP visit helped to demonstrate the close—in fact, inseparable—nature of the education and research missions of a great public university.”
The group also stopped outside the high bay facility where the LASP-built Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX) instrument was recently completed. The instrument, which will reveal the composition of interstellar dust grains after its anticipated launch in 2025, was the first to be integrated into NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which will study the heliosphere.
The tour was followed by brief presentations on climate research by LASP scientist and CU Boulder faculty member Peter Pilewskie, who studies Earth’s energy budget, and on the EMA mission by project manager Pete Withnell. The board also met with several LASP scientists and engineers to discuss some exciting new scientific results and upcoming missions. Closing remarks were given by Dan Baker.
Other members of CU leadership in attendance included CU President Todd Saliman; CU Boulder Provost Russ Moore; Chancellors Don Elliman, Michelle Marks, Jennifer Sobanet and Lindsey Fell, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor; CU Senior VP Leonard Dinegar, CU Senior VP Danielle Radovich Piper, and CU Assistant VP Kori Donaldson.
Other LASP participants included Associate Director for Finance and Operations Gary Henry, Associate Director for Science Frank Eparvier, Director of Strategic Development and Communications Pam Millar, and Director of Mission Operations and Data Systems Chris Pankratz.
By Sara Pratt, Senior Communications Specialist
Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder is on a mission to transform human understanding of the cosmos by pioneering new technologies and approaches to space science. LASP is the only academic research institute in the world to have sent instruments to every planet in our solar system. LASP began celebrating its 75th anniversary in April 2023.
