Welcome to the University of Maryland's Space Systems Lab!
Keep reading to find out more about the exciting work we're doing here at the SSL.
News and Updates
Annual Open House
This April 26, 2025, the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility (NBRF) and Advanced Robotics Development Lab (ARDL) will be giving tours/demonstrations throughout the day (10am-4pm) as part of the University of Maryland's annual Maryland Day. This event is free and open to the public every year on the last day in April. Expect to see divers and robots in our neutral buoyancy tank, drive robots around in the ARDL, and get the chance to experience hands-on the research that we do!
Backpack testing in neutral buoyancy - how heavy can spacesuit suits get?
The SSL is currently testing how different backpack weight affect astronaut movement in lunar and martian gravity! Check out our social media to see updates and testing!
Winter begins! TERP-RAPTOR team and SSL researchers head to the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum to present!
This winter, several members of the SSL traveled to Orlando, Florida to attend the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition! These members included the TERP-RAPTOR team, who presented their concept and development of a cubesat to flyby Apophis and collect visual data! Other research involved robotic teleoperation using the MGA Exoskeleton (MGAXOS).
SSL team heads to Vegas to present at NASAs BIG Idea Challenge Forum
This past November (2024), the SSL AIRWHEEL team traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to present at the BIG Idea forum. The SSL is now continuing development and exploration of inflatable wheels and the AIRWHEEL concept!
Summer begins! Congratulation to all the SSL students who graduated this year!
Congrats to Rahul Vishnoi and Ryan Mahon and Justin Rhoads for completing their undergraduate careers! Rahul graduated with a bachelors degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Machine Learning, Ryan graduated with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, and Justin graduated with a bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering! Justin has accepted a position with SpaceX as a Starlink Enterprise Integration & Test Engineer, Rahul is pursuing a masters degree in Computer Science, and Ryan is pursuing a master degree in Aerospace Engineering! Rahul and Ryan are both also continuing their research at the SSL as graduate researchers. Congrats Rahul, Ryan, and Justin! Big congrats as well to Dr. Nicholas Limparis! Dr. Limparis defended his thesis earlier this month, and successfully earned his Doctor in Philosphy in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. Nick is continuing his educational career as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Maryland. Congrats Nick!
SSL VERTEX/BioBot team heads to NASA Goddard for field test
This past week (4/15), the SSL VERTEX/BioBot team took the rover to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to conduct field test of system upgrades. The upgrades included some mechanical upgrades to VERTEX's swing arms, suspension, and the BioBot arm, as well as new software and electronics. This field test also included the new MX-C+ suit, a modified MX-C suit that has upgraded suit arms and legs similar to what will be on the upcoming MX-D suit!
SSL Team Gets Accepted into the NASA 2024 Big Idea Challenge
The Space Systems Lab's proposal for the NASA 2024 Big Idea Challenge was accepted! A team comprised of PhD, graduate, and undergraduate students will begin designing AIRHWEEL: Auxilary Inflatable Rover Wheel Hub Expaning Exploration Locations. AIRWHEEL is a inflatable + rigid wheel design for rovers, where an inflatable inner wheel is situated in the wheel hub of a rigid wheel, and can be deployed to assist the rover in navigating loose terrain. See the proposal video (made by our Charlie Hanner) here!
VERTEX/BioBot System Development
Researchers at the SSL have been finalizing the development of the VERTEX rover and the BioBot system as a whole. To read more about the VERTEX/BioBot system and the BiobBot concept itself, see here. Below are update videos provided by our own Charlie Hanner on his YouTube channel and the SSL's YouTube channel:
- VERTEX rover intial rollout
- VERTEX rover suspension upgrade
- VERTEX rover drive testing part 1
- VERTEX rover drive testing part 2
- BioBot ARMLiSS (BioBot arm) assembly and initial test
- VERTEX wheel spin testing - FULL SPEED
- VERTEX first driving and steering testing
- VERTEX rolling around in the snow
- BioBot ARMLiSS (BioBot arm) development
You can also find updates on the SSL's social media pages, found under Contact Us
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