A hub for space science research at LLNL

The Space Science Institute is Lawrence Livermore’s hub for:

  • Developing new space science mission concepts, instrumentation, and enabling technologies;
  • Driving collaborative discoveries; and
  • Growing the scientific and engineering workforce.

Building on a long history of excellence in space science and instrumentation, the institute aims to address important questions in astrophysics and planetary science through cross-discipline collaboration.

While studying topics such as the nature of dark energy and the origin and evolution of our solar system, our research also provides foundations for space security missions and other Livermore programs.

Our research

Our team

about our institute

Researcher aligns the LLAMAS

Featured research

The intersection of physics, optical engineering, and control systems expertise at LLNL—as well as decades of previous research—is furthering exoplanet science. Leveraging LLNL-developed advanced adaptive optics technology and ground-based telescopes, we can see faint objects with exquisite resolution and determine how planetary systems form.

Learn more about our adaptive optics research

Our foundations

Since its inception, LLNL researchers have contributed to many experiments and space missions, as well as to projects at ground-based observatories. We are building on these foundations to ensure a strong ongoing space science program at LLNL.

LLNL researchers at EBIT
Did you know?

Advances in x-ray laboratory astrophysics using the Lab’s electron beam ion trap (EBIT) facility have contributed to the scientific return of major x-ray astrophysics space missions since the 1990s, including Chandra and XMM-Newton.

Learn more about the history of x-ray laboratory astrophysics at LLNL

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