Join Terps in Space!

Gain research experience and design a microgravity experiment that could fly to space!

We are seeking freshmen, sophomores and juniors interested in research to participate in a microgravity experiment competition. No previous background in research is required.

Terps in Space gives science and engineering undergrads the opportunity to design and propose REAL experiments that compete for a spot on the International Space Station (ISS). Experiments spend 4-6 weeks in space then return to the students for analysis.

Find out more on our site.

If interested in participating, please complete this form.


Timeline:

Spring 2021 (virtual):

Teams of 2-4 students work with a mentor to design and propose an experiment. This involves literature research, experiment planning, and gathering preliminary data. In May, three finalist teams will be selected.

Note: Non-finalist teams will conclude their participation in the program having gained a semester of independent, student-driven research experience.


Summer 2021-Fall 2021:

The three semi-finalist teams will have time to further develop their proposals and, optionally, do preliminary experiments. In December, the winning team will be selected.


Spring 2022:

The winning team will conduct lab work to optimize their proposed experiment, and then load their experiment and ship it to be flown to the ISS.


Summer 2022-Fall 2022:

The winning team will receive their experiment from the ISS and conduct analysis and do report writeup. They may also attend the SSEP conference in Washington, D.C. and present results.


Terps in Space is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education.