University of Arizona leads groundbreaking space mission

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The University of Arizona is determined to redefine space research and break new ground in space exploration.

In a collaborative effort between the University of Arizona, NASA, and Aspera, students at the university are piecing together a small space satellite called Aspera.

Aspera weighs approximately 120 pounds and lies within an enclosed “clean” room at the University of Arizona. From its originated idea, proposals for funding, to even the engineering aspect of this project, the university and its students have been at the forefront of this mission.

“When we started off, it was all on paper and we had to build the labs, we had to build the facilities in order to be able to do this work, and that required a lot of out of the box thinking,” said university graduate student Aafaqu Khan.

The goal is to not only showcase a new way for space exploration but make a discovery that has remained unanswered for the past 50 years.

Aspera’s primary mission is to study galaxy formation, evolution, and uncover new insights into the workings of the universe.

Carlos Vargas, the Aspera and NASA Mission Principal Investigator, explained the profound impact of this mission.

“So, it makes the invisible universe visible for the first time and that’s what we’re doing, finding all of the missing matter in the universe, with Aspera,” Vargas said.

This “missing matter” is invisible gas, also known as raw material, which is crucial for the creation of stars, planets, and even our own solar system. Aspera will develop comprehensive maps of this gas, revealing its movement and its far reaching impacts.

Vargas hopes the mission will create opportunities for space travel and answering more questions about the makeup of the universe.

“If universities across the country can start getting into the space game. We as Astronomers and Astrophysicists don’t need to wait 20 - 30 years to answer our big, huge science questions. We can build our own instruments now; we can launch them now. It really makes the barrier to entry a lot lower,” Vargas said.

Aspera represents a significant advancement for Tucson in space exploration, positioning Arizona as a leader in revealing a faster, cheaper, and more efficient approach to space travel. For Carlos Vargas, this mission is a deeply personal achievement.

“It’s been life-changing work for me. Just to be a part of this team has been my life’s work at this point,” Vargas said.

The Aspera mission is expected to launch in 2026. It will gather crucial data for six months before returning home, with an anticipated lifespan of up to five years. To help extend the mission and continue its vital research, Aspera is seeking donations.

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