Space and Aerospace

Ou Ma, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NMSU, received a U.S. patent for his project, "Apparatus and Method for Reduced-Gravity Simulation." This research investigates an innovative reduced- or zero-gravity simulator based on passive gravity compensation. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

Major research projects or programs include multidisciplinary, collaborative projects through the Apache Point Observatory (APO) in the Sacramento Mountains, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to catalog one quarter of the sky; numerous National Aeronautics and Space Administration and NSF-supported projects in space weather; physical and chemical characterization of the atmospheres around exoplanets; operation of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium; and the NMSU-led Federal Aviation Administration Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation.

Major Projects

• Apache Point Observatory Site Operations
  PI: Jon Holtzman, (575) 646-8181, jholtzma@nmsu.edu
• Atmosphere Node of the Planetary Data System
  PI: Rita Beebe, (575) 646-4438, rbeebe@nmsu.edu
• Development of an Adaptive Reduced Gravity Simulator for Aerospace and Biomechanics Research
  PI: Ou Ma, (575) 646-6534, oma@nmsu.edu
• Solar and Stellar Seismology
  PI: Jason Jackiewicz, (575) 646-4438, jasonj@nmsu.edu
• Center of Excellence for Space Weather
  PI: Bernie McNamara, (575) 646-2614, bmcnamar@nmsu.edu
• Infrared Instrument Development for In-Situ Organic Detection
  PI: Nancy Chanover, (575) 646-2567, nchanove@nmsu.edu, and David Voelz (575) 646-3471, davvoelz@nmsu.edu
• All-Sky Camera Network
  PI: David Voelz, (575) 646-3471, davvoelz@nmsu.edu
• Partnerships in Astronomy and Astrophysics Research and Education (PAARE): New Mexico State University, National Solar Observatory, Air Force Research Laboratory
  PI: Bernie McNamara, (575) 646-2614, bmcnamar@nmsu.edu
• Spaceflight Dynamics
  PI: Eric Butcher, (575) 646-6179, eab@nmsu.edu
• NMSU Small Satellite Program
  Steve Stochaj, (575) 646-4828. sstochaj@nmsu.edu
• Apollo Landing Site Preservation
  Beth O'Leary, (575) 646-2560, boleary@nmsu.edu

Researchers

Department of Astronomy

• Jon Holtzman, Department Head
• Reta Beebe, College Professor
• Nancy Chanover, Professor
• Chris Churchill, Associate Professor
• Thomas Harrison, Observatory Research Specialist
• Jason Jackiewicz, Assistant Professor
• Joni Johnson, Research Fellow
• Anatoly Klypin, Professor
• James McAteer, Assistant Professor
• Bernie McNamara, Distinguished Professor
• Jim Murphy, Associate Professor
• Nicole Vogt, Associate Professor
• Rene Walterbos, Professor

Physical Science Laboratory

• Steve Hottman, Director

College of Engineering

• Eric Butcher, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Ou Ma, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Steve Stochaj, Professor, Kiplsch School of Computer and Electrical Engineering
• David Voelz, Professor, Kiplsch School of Computer and Electrical Engineering

Major Units

• Department of Astronomy
• Apache Point Observatory
• Clyde W. Tombaugh Campus Observatory
• Sloan Digital Sky Survey
• New Mexico Space Grant Consortium
• Physical Science Laboratory
• Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• New Mexico NASA EPSCoR Program (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)
• FAA Center of Exellence for Commercial Space Transportation