Welcome to the Texas Spacecraft Laboratory Website!

The Texas Spacecraft Laboratory (TSL) at The University of Texas at Austin is a student-driven research group under the direction of Dr. Brandon Jones dedicated to designing and building small satellites, securing launches into space, and operating them once in orbit. The TSL actively collaborates with other university research groups, governmental organizations, and/or private industries. The lab participates in several annual events hosted at UT, such as Girl Day and Gone To Engineering.

Goals

• Performing space-based experiments
• Developing and demonstrating new technologies
• Improving the skills of our students
• Training the next generation of engineers

We emphasize education, safety, independence, and responsibility. Our belief is that hands-on experience, coupled with practical instruction, will provide members with the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research in a collaborative environment. Our members also develop marketable skills and expand their college experiences beyond the classroom.

History

Originally established in 2002 as the Satellite Design Laboratory under Dr. Glenn Lightsey, the TSL has been involved in a number of missions involving small satellites. Many of these are in conjunction with other universities and governmental organizations such as NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Ames, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

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