Research

STSSI is highly active in astronomy and astrophysics research. As members of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) collaboration, our researchers are involved in the analysis of gravitational-wave data from the two LIGO detectors in the United States; the Virgo detector in Pisa, Italy and the KAGRA detector in Japan; as well as the German-British GEO600 detector in Hannover, Germany.

*Image courtesy of AAS Nova

STSSI is active in technology development for space applications. These include novel designs for phased-array antenna systems that can be used for two-way space communication.  We are also testing lasers and other hardware for a potential Moon-based gravitational-wave detector using our very own space environment simulator.

STSSI is host of a wide range of planetary science and astrobiology research. Our researchers study Earth's present and past aqueous environments to understand planetary-scale phenomena, including the origin of life and its co-evolution with Earth. They also tackle key questions looking into the future: from examining long-gone river beds in Mars, to deciphering if Ocean Worlds within the Solar System contain extraterrestrial biospheres.

*Image courtesy of Eloi Camprubi-Casas