Staff in the Mechanical Engineering Group test a component of the Operationally Responsive Space-5 SensorSat.

Mechanical Engineering

We provide innovative mechanical solutions for advanced technology prototypes. Prototypes we have worked on include airborne and space-based laser communications systems, biological agent detectors and identifiers, and large radar antenna systems. We are the Engineering research area's center for 3D computer-aided design with expertise in precision-engineered systems, optomechanical systems, mechanisms, dynamic metrology, composite structures, highly efficient lightweight structures, electronics packaging, and cable design. Our staff are involved in every step of a program's execution from conceptual design all the way to environmental and performance testing.

Featured Projects

Three project team members test the robot's flexibility in an indoor laboratory setting.
disaster relief
These robots can navigate difficult urban disaster terrain to help responders locate and access victims for rescue.
a photo of a small satellite in a studio
weather
A constellation of small satellites is collecting rapidly refreshed weather data to advance studies of hurricane structure and intensity and improve forecasts.
The International Space Station will be outfitted with our ILLUMA-T laser terminal to provide optical communications.
lasers
The ILLUMA-T will enable optical communications on the International Space Station.