Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is a nonprofit government contractor owned by Utah State University. SDL was formed in 1982 from the merger of Utah State University's Electro Dynamics Laboratories (founded in 1959) and the University of Utah's Upper Air Research Laboratory (founded in 1948).[3] The corporation has been responsible for the design, fabrication, and operation of sensors on over 430 payloads ranging from aircraft and rocket-borne experiments to space shuttle experiments and satellite-based sensor systems. SDL is the Missile Defense Agency's University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) and one of 14 UARCs in the nation. SDL provides sensor systems and supporting technologies to address challenges for the United States government. SDL designs and develops electro-optical sensors, builds small satellites, provides calibration services, and creates real-time data reconnaissance systems.[2]

Space Dynamics Laboratory
PredecessorElectro-Dynamics Laboratories (EDL), and Upper Air Research Laboratory (UARL)
Founded1959 (1959)
Headquarters
North Logan
,
United States
Number of locations
8[1] (2020)
RevenueAbout $175 million[2] (FY2019)
Number of employees
900+[2] (FY2019)
ParentUtah State University
Websitesdl.usu.edu

SDL employs over 900 engineers, students, and professional staff at facilities in Logan, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bedford, Massachusetts; Dayton, Ohio; Huntsville, Alabama; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and Washington, D.C.

History

SDL origins date back to 1948 with experiments by the University of Utah Upper Air Research Laboratory (UARL) to measure electron density in the upper atmosphere of Earth utilizing German V-2 rockets.[3] In 1959 the Electro-Dynamics Laboratories (EDL) was founded at Utah State University. The UARL relocated to Utah State University in 1970 and merged with EDL in 1982 to form SDL. One of the early missions involved measurements during Operation Dominic in 1962. In 1965 the laboratory participated in its 100th launch aboard a sounding rocket. In 1982 SDL participated in its first experiment (the Vehicle Charging and Potential experiment) aboard a space shuttle as part of STS-3.

Projects for NASA

SDL has been a contractor for NASA on a variety of missions for decades.[4] In 2019 NASA selected USU to conduct the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) led by Mike Taylor. AWE involves an imager built at SDL that will be mounted on the International Space Station to map airglow.[5] Other NASA projects include:

gollark: Okay, actually done.
gollark: Okay, not SPUDNET.
gollark: Okay, service should be restored.
gollark: Who cares about a few BSODs during boot?
gollark: It does? Hmm.

References
  1. "SDL - Locations". Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  2. "SDL - Overview" (PDF). Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  3. "SDL - History". Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  4. "Space Dynamics Laboratory Delivers James Webb Space Telescope Subsystem to NASA". spaceref.com. Utah State University. February 3, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  5. "USU's Atmospheric Waves Experiment chosen by NASA for mission to study space weather". sdl.usu.edu. KUTV. March 6, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  6. "Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  7. "Orbiting Carbon Observatory". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  8. "Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  9. "Floating Potential Measurement Unit" (PDF). sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. "OSIRIS-REx" (PDF). sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  11. "Cryogenic Infrared Radiance Instrumentation for Shuttle". sdl.usu.edu. Space Dynamics Laboratory. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  12. Cortez, Marjorie (Apr 21, 2020). "USU Space Dynamics Lab delivers test unit to NASA for spacecraft set for 2022 launch". Retrieved May 23, 2020.

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