LASPSpace issue 18 • March 2023
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Letter from the director • Administrative update • Education and outreach • Key hires • Achievement awards • Distinguished visitors • Mission operations • Mission status • Student news • Staff stats
Letter from the director - Dan Baker
LASP pursues an impressive range of Earth and space science research. Two of these areas are existential to our advanced society: space weather and climate change. This newsletter focuses on our contributions to understanding the latter.

There are key facets to understanding our planet’s complex climate system. At its core is how the Sun’s energy inputs drive Earth’s atmosphere. LASP has been the chief steward of solar irradiance measurements for nearly 40 years, and we continue this tradition with ongoing NASA/NOAA TSIS and GOES measurements. Beginning with the Libera mission, the Lab will also determine—with exquisite precision—energy radiated from Earth back into space. This means our institute will be responsible for monitoring Earth’s entire energy balance starting in 2027.

It is imperative to understand the human role on our changing planet. LASP’s efforts will provide continuous, unblinking knowledge of the natural (solar-driven) backdrop upon which human (anthropogenic) climate change is superimposed. The accuracy and precision of LASP-made measurements have already set a worldwide standard, and we will—without fail—continue to watch over our home planet to better understand how it’s changing.
Administrative update
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Education and outreach
The University of Colorado Boulder established the Charles A. Barth scholarship for undergraduate space research in 2013 to honor his lasting legacy of teaching and mentoring the next generation of space researchers. Several undergraduate students with focused studies in space research are supported by this scholarship each year. This year’s awardees include four outstanding CU Boulder undergraduate students.
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Key hires
Stephen Ettinger has been hired as LASP’s deputy director for finance and operations, a key role in advancing the institute’s leadership in space-based research.
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LASP has named Pamela Millar its deputy director for strategic development and communications. This is a new position created to enable growth by strategically identifying, assessing, and implementing ongoing and new space research opportunities.
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Achievement awards
LASP’s Paul Hayne was named a 2023 RIO Faculty Fellow by CU’s Research & Innovation Office. The program develops the leadership styles of tenured/tenure-track professors poised to lead significant collaborative projects and deliver impactful scholarly work.
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Distinguished visitors
In August, LASP hosted Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera and other VIPs for the sendoff of SUDA, the LASP dust analyzer developed for the NASA Europa Clipper mission. Four news stations and the Boulder Daily Camera covered the event, which also included representatives from the offices of Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper, and Rep. Joe Neguse, the vice president of operations at FedEx, as well as mission and CU leaders.

LASP hosted a visit from the National Defense University (NDU) Eisenhower School in November. The school’s mission is to build a positive and effective partnership between government and the private sector. The delegation had an opportunity to learn about what LASP is doing to further space science research and how its role is critical in addressing the issues vital for our national security.

In December, LASP welcomed the new Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Glen Krutz. The tour enhanced his awareness and appreciation of the importance of space sciences on the CU Boulder campus and LASP’s leadership in this area.
Mission operations
  • LASP operates 3 satellites
  • LASP operates 2 CubeSats
  • LASP operates 142 instruments on 20 spacecraft
  • LASP employs 31 students in Mission Operations and Data Systems

Mission status

Missions and instruments in development


  • AEPEX*
  • BABAR
  • CANVAS*
  • CLARREO Pathfinder/RS
  • COUSIN†
  • DYNAGLO*
  • GDC/AETHER
  • GOES-U/EXIS
  • GTOSat*
  • IMAP/IDEX
  • INSPIRESat-3,4*
  • Libera
  • MAX
  • NEO Surveyor
  • SISTINE, series†
  • SNIFS†
  • SPRITE*
  • SunCET*
  • TSIS-2

Upcoming launches

 

  • CIRBE* – Apr.
  • INFUSE† – Oct.
  • Europa Clipper/SUDA - Oct. 2024
 

Operating missions and instruments


  • AIM/CIPS
  • CTIM*
  • CUTE*
  • EMM
  • GOES-16,17,18/​EXIS
  • GOLD
  • InspireSat-1/DAXSS*
  • IXPE
  • MAVEN/IUVS
  • MMS
  • New Horizons/SDC
  • Parker Solar Probe/Fields Experiment
  • SDO/EVE
  • THEMIS/ARTEMIS
  • TIMED/SEE
  • TSIS-1
* CubeSat     † Rocket

More information on LASP missions
Student news
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Staff stats
(January 1, 2023)  
Scientific researchers 91
Tenure-track faculty 24
Visiting faculty 1
Professionals 402
Graduate students 73
Undergraduate students         103
Total 694
   
Affiliates 244
Open positions 10

For employment information, visit https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/careers/.
LASPSpace archives
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics | University of Colorado Boulder
303-492-6412 | epomail@lasp.colorado.edu | https://lasp.colorado.edu
1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303-7814