Space Dynamics Laboratory
AbbreviationSDL
PredecessorElectro-Dynamics Laboratories (EDL),
Upper Air Research Laboratory (UARL)
Founded1982 (1982)
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersNorth Logan, Utah, United States
President
Jed J Hancock[1]
Parent organization
Utah State University
AffiliationsUARC for the Missile Defense Agency
Revenue (FY2019)
About US$175 million [2]
Staff (FY2019)
900+ [2]
Websitewww.sdl.usu.edu

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is a nonprofit government contractor owned by Utah State University. SDL was formed in 1982 from the merger of Utah State University's Electro Dynamics Laboratories (founded in 1959) and the University of Utah's Upper Air Research Laboratory (founded in 1948).[3] The corporation has been responsible for the design, fabrication, and operation of sensors on over 430 payloads ranging from aircraft and rocket-borne experiments to space shuttle experiments and satellite-based sensor systems. SDL is the Missile Defense Agency's University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) and one of 14 UARCs in the nation. SDL provides sensor systems and supporting technologies to address challenges for the United States government. SDL designs and develops electro-optical sensors, builds small satellites, provides calibration services, and creates real-time data reconnaissance systems.[2]

SDL employs over 900 engineers, students, and professional staff at facilities in Logan, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bedford, Massachusetts; Dayton, Ohio; Huntsville, Alabama; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and Washington, D.C.

History

SDL origins date back to 1948 with experiments by the University of Utah Upper Air Research Laboratory (UARL) to measure electron density in the upper atmosphere of Earth utilizing German V-2 rockets.[3] In 1959, the Electro-Dynamics Laboratories (EDL) was founded at Utah State University. The UARL relocated to Utah State University in 1970 and merged with EDL in 1982 to form SDL. One of the early missions involved measurements during Operation Dominic in 1962. In 1965, the laboratory participated in its 100th launch aboard a sounding rocket. In 1982, SDL participated in its first experiment (the Vehicle Charging and Potential experiment) aboard a space shuttle as part of STS-3.

Projects for NASA

SDL has been a contractor for NASA on a variety of missions for decades.[4]

In 2019, NASA selected USU to conduct the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) led by Mike Taylor. AWE involves an imager built at SDL that will be mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) to map airglow.[5]

Other NASA projects include:

References

  1. "Leadership – Space Dynamics Laboratory". Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Overview" (PDF). Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 "SDL - History". Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Space Dynamics Laboratory Delivers James Webb Space Telescope Subsystem to NASA". spaceref.com. Utah State University. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  5. "USU's Atmospheric Waves Experiment chosen by NASA for mission to study space weather". sdl.usu.edu. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  6. "Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  7. "Orbiting Carbon Observatory". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  8. "Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  9. "Floating Potential Measurement Unit" (PDF). sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  10. "OSIRIS-REx" (PDF). sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  11. "Cryogenic Infrared Radiance Instrumentation for Shuttle". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  12. Cortez, Marjorie (21 April 2020). "USU Space Dynamics Lab delivers test unit to NASA for spacecraft set for 2022 launch". Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  13. Siegel, Lee (4 June 1999). "USU Takes the Blame for Failure Of $80 Million Satellite Mission". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. 1. Retrieved 28 April 2023.

41°45′47″N 111°49′19″W / 41.76306°N 111.82194°W / 41.76306; -111.82194

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