Earth’s Moon
Osiris Rex
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Upsilon Andromedae B
Kuiper Belt
Click on each planetary object to learn how UCF researchers are involved.
Knights In Space
Since our beginnings in 1963 as one of America’s first “space universities,” UCF researchers have focused their attention beyond our Central Florida skies to investigate cosmic mysteries about nearly every planet in the solar system, plus a few other celestial objects.

Since our beginnings in 1963 as one of America’s first “space universities,” UCF researchers have focused their attention beyond our Central Florida skies to investigate cosmic mysteries about nearly every planet in the solar system, plus a few other celestial objects.
Tap on an item below to see how UCF researchers are involved

Mercury
Messenger
Researcher: Todd Bradley, principal investigator for Planetary Mission Data Analysis Program grant

Todd Bradley Associate scientist at Florida Space Institute (FSI)
Objective: To learn more about the thin exosphere of Mercury, the smallest and swiftest planet in our solar system
Status: In progress


Earth’s Moon
Resource Prospector
Researcher: Philip Metzger, cooperating scientist

Objective: To examine the soil on the moon’s poles in order to excavate potential resources including hydrogen, oxygen and water.
Status: Planning
Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute
Researcher: Adrienne Dove, co-investigator

Objective: To understand the dynamics of dust on and near the lunar surface to prepare for future manned and unmanned missions to the moon and asteroids.
Status: In progress


Asteroid
Researchers: Humberto Campins, co-investigator, and Yan Fernandez, contributing scientist


Objective: To send a spacecraft to the asteroid Bennu, one of the oldest in the solar system, and bring back samples to analyze.
Status: In progress


Mars
Curiosity
Researcher: Daniel Britt

Objective: To develop and build radiometric calibration targets that enable scientists to “see” Mars colors as they are on Earth.
Status: In progress (have been used on every Mars rover)


Jupiter
Galileo
Researcher: Ramon Lugo, NASA engineer

Objective: To measure the atmosphere of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, and observe the planet and its moons from orbit.
Status: Completed


Saturn
Cassini
Researcher: Joshua Colwell, co-investigator

Objective: To observe, analyze and interpret data from Saturn’s rings using an ultraviolet imaging spectrograph.
Status: To be completed September 2017


Uranus
Voyager 2
Researcher: Joshua Colwell, science team member

Objective: To study the structure, origin and history of the rings of Uranus and Neptune.
Status: Completed


Neptune
Voyager 2
Researcher: Joshua Colwell, science team member

Objective: To study the structure, origin and history of the rings of Uranus and Neptune.
Status: Completed


Pluto
Researcher: Alan Stern, principal investigator

Objective: To study the surface composition, atmosphere and temperature of the icy dwarf planet Pluto and its moon Charon.
Status: In progress

Kuiper Belt
Researchers: Alan Stern, principal investigator, and Daniel Britt, science team member


Objective: To study the solar system’s outskirts and discover how ice dwarf planets have evolved over time.
Status: In progress


Upsilon Andromedae B
Spitzer Exoplanet Targets of Opportunity Program
Researcher: Joseph Harrington, principal investigator

Objective: To measure the chemistry and temperature of the atmosphere of exoplanets, which are planets that orbit stars other than the sun.
Status: In progress
