Space Systems and Technology

We develop technology to meet the challenges of an increasingly congested and contested space domain. Our engineers design, prototype, operate, and assess systems that detect, track, identify, and characterize resident space objects. Given the potential for conventional conflict to extend to space, we conduct R&D on concepts and systems that will provide space mission resilience.

Space Control - Ensuring critical U.S. space activities

Advanced Capabilities and Technologies
Advanced Electro-Optical Systems
Advanced Sensors and Techniques
Applied Space Systems
Electronics for Contested Space
Information Integration and Decision Support
Space Systems Analysis and Test

We research and develop technology for advanced satellite systems that are used to monitor the activity of objects in space and to perform remote sensing of Earth.

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an illustration showing the ocean, leading to shore and a city, and clouds. Red lines in the sky indicate the planetary boundary layer

Using deep learning to image Earth's planetary boundary layer

Apr 5

Four colored images show structural changes within Hurricane Adrian as the storm intensified.

In the Media

NASA's TROPICS offers multiple views of intensifying hurricanes

Jul 21

NASA

A large group gathers outside near the ocean.

Lincoln Laboratory leaders visit Kwajalein Field Site

May 16

More News

a photo of a small satellite in a studio

weather

TROPICS

A constellation of small satellites is collecting rapidly refreshed weather data to advance studies of hurricane structure and intensity and improve forecasts.

Imagery from the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager

environmental monitoring

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series

The Laboratory's long-term collaboration with NOAA and NASA on environmental monitoring satellites has led to revolutionized weather imagery and products and improved detection for space and solar phenomena.

space situational awareness

Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar

Lincoln Laboratory created the world's highest-resolution radar for imaging of space objects in support of space situational awareness.

For installation aboard a launch vehicle, a space telescope using technology developed for DISCIT will fold up into the compact shape seen at the left, but will expand its segmented sparse subapertures, right, once deployed.

integrated systems

Deployable In-Space Coherent Imaging Telescope

Technologies enabling the deployment of an expandable telescope from a small spacecraft could pave the way for the development of other payloads for small satellites.

More Projects

It’s a satisfying feeling to know you were part of the team that helped fix an issue.

Noah Stein

Technician

Space Systems and Technology

Advanced Sensors and Techniques

A photograph of Noah Stein standing in front of a radar.

“I can't help getting deep into a difficult problem — and the fact that I'm working on real-world space problems for the benefit of national security makes it that much more rewarding to me.

Rafael Monardez

Orbital Analyst

Space Systems and Technology

Advanced Sensors and Techniques

The flexibility at the Lab to work on diverse problems is a wonderful thing. You can work in a variety of technical fields. All you have to do is meet the right people down the hall and ask if they need help.