Space Systems Design Laboratory (SSDL)
The Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL) at the Georgia Institute of Technology creates space technologies and advanced mission concepts that enable new missions and capabilities in robotic and human space exploration. Research focuses on space flight applications and projects. We use modern engineering tools including mission design methodologies, systems engineering, additive manufacturing, simulation, optimization, sensing, estimation and control to propose, participate in, and operate space flight missions that conduct space science and demonstrate new technologies.
The SSDL is a multi-faculty, interdisciplinary research lab located within the School of Aerospace Engineering. The SSDL is currently directed by Prof. Brian Gunter. Prior SSDL Directors include Prof. E. Glenn Lightsey (2016-2023), David A. Spencer (2010-2016), Robert D. Braun (2003-2016), and John R. Olds (1998-2005).
Focus Areas
Small Satellite Flight Projects
Full life cycle design from mission concept to operations
Space Technology Development
Technology maturation enabling new capabilities for spacecraft
Mission Campaign Optimization
Applying optimization theory to design sequential missions
Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation And Control
Creating new methods for spacecraft control
Featured Projects
Self-Assembling Liquid Mirror Telescope
Project Sponsor : DARPA DSO, Honeywell Aerospace Prime Start Date : 10/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo Project Status : Active Our Low-Gravity Science and Technology …
Orbital Calibration 2 (OrCa-2)
Project Sponsor : AFRL Start Date : 08/01/2022 Faculty Investigator : Professor Brian Gunter Project Status : To be delivered Summer 2024 OrCa-2 is a continued effort …
Vacuum Chamber for Testing Thermal Properties of Lunar Regolith for ISRU Applications
Project Sponsor : NASA/SSERVI Center for Lunar Environment and Volatile Exploration Research (CLEVER) Start Date : 9/2022 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Masatoshi "Toshi" Hirabayashi Project Status : …
ExoSalt: Biosignature Preservation in Sulfate-Dominated Hypersaline Environments
Project Sponsor : Supported by NASA Exobiology awards 80NSSC18K1088 and 80NSSC20K0849 (Pontefract). Start Date : 01/2021 Faculty Investigator : Alexandra Pontefract (Georgetown/APL); Prof. Christopher E. Carr (Co-I) …
NERPE: Non-Enzymatic RNA Primer Extension
Project Sponsor : Supported by H.H.M.I. awards to Szostak. Start Date : Mid 2018 Faculty Investigator : Prof. Jack Szostak/Dr. Daniel Duzdevich (U. Chicago); Christopher E. Carr …
DSRG: Deep Space Radiation Genomics
Project Sponsor : NASA award # 80NSSC19K0708 to Luis Zea/CU Boulder. Start Date : 05/2019 Faculty Investigator : Luis Zea (PI), University of Colorado, Boulder, and Corey …
OAST: Oceans Across Space and Time
Project Sponsor : Supported by awards 80NSSC18K1301 and 80NSSC22K1409 (PI: Britney Schmidt). Start Date : 09/2018 Faculty Investigator : Prof. Britney Schmidt (Cornell); Prof. Christopher E. Carr …
InSitu: Investigating the Rate of Potential Biological in Situ Gas Production of CO and CH4 in Arctic Ice
Project Sponsor : Supported by NSF Collaborative award 2139293 to Chellman (DRI, lead institution) and Carr (Georgia Tech). Start Date : 03/2022 Faculty Investigator : Nathan J. …
ExoMethane: Genome-informed Habitability, Biosignature Potential, and Limit of Methane Production in Planetary Environments
Project Sponsor : NASA Exobiology award # 80NSSC22K0974 to C.E.C. (PI) and R.A.M. (Science PI). Start Date : 07/2022 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Christopher E. Carr (PI), …
ExoArid: Microbial Functional and Evolutionary Adaptations to AridityExoArid:
Project Sponsor : Supported by NASA Exobiology awards 80NSSC19K0469 (MIT) and 80NSSC22K0189 (Georgia Tech) to C.E.C. Start Date : 01/2022 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Christopher E. Carr …
Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data to Improve the Modeling of Antarctic Near-Surface Processes
Project Sponsor : NASA (Cryospheric Science Research Announcement, ROSES-2020) Start Date : 08/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Brian Gunter Project Status : In progress Glacial Isostatic Adjustment …
Low-Gravity Water Electrolysis
Project Sponsor : ESA Start Date : 01/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo Project Status : Active Photoelectrochemical devices integrate the processes of light absorption, charge …
Lunar Dust Mitigation
Project Sponsor : NASA Start Date : 08/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo Project Status : Active Lunar dust poses a major operational hazard to human …
MHD Drive for O2 Production
Project Sponsor : NASA Start Date : 08/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo Project Status : Active Human space exploration is presented with multiple challenges, such …
SWARM-EX: Space Weather Atmospheric Reconfigurable Multiscale Experiment
Project Sponsor : NSF Start Date : 01/01/2020 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Glenn Lightsey Project Status : Subsystem Assembly and Testing Georgia Tech’s SSDL is participating in …
Reduced Infrastructure Radionavigation System
Project Sponsor : NASA Faculty Investigator : Dr. Glenn Lightsey Project Status : Ongoing Georgia Tech’s SSDL is studying new methods of conducting radionavigation with minimal infrastructure …
VISORS: Virtual Super-Resolution Optics Using Reconfigurable Swarms
Project Sponsor : NSF Start Date : 10/01/2019 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Glenn Lightsey Project Status : Integration and Testing Georgia Tech’s SSDL is participating in a …
Debris Management And Removal For Large-Scale Constellations
Project Sponsor : Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Start Date : 09/17/2019 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Koki Ho Project Status : Research Ongoing Develop an efficient debris management strategy …
Time-Expanded Space Logistics Network Modeling And Optimization For On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, And Manufacturing
Project Sponsor : DARPA Start Date : 07/23/2019 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Koki Ho Project Status : Research Ongoing Develop a set of time-expanded network methods and …
Green Propellant Dual Mode (GPDM)
Project Sponsor : NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Start Date : 08/01/2023 Faculty Investigator : Dr. Glenn Lightsey Project Status : Design phase Green Propellant Dual Mode …