From the Sun to Earth and beyond, Johns Hopkins APL is disrupting the future of space science and exploration
Since the dawn of the Space Age, APL has pushed the frontiers of space science, engineering, and exploration. We captured the first picture of Earth from space, invented navigation by satellite, and have dispatched spacecraft across the solar system from our Sun to Pluto and beyond, and we continue to shape the future by providing our nation with innovative and low-cost solutions to its space challenges.
We have designed and built more than 70 spacecraft and hundreds of specialized instruments. Combined, these spacecraft and instruments have visited every planet in our solar system and collected information that has expanded humankind’s understanding of the universe.
Featured Mission
IMAP →NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which APL is building in partnership with Principal Investigator David McComas of Princeton University, will explore our solar neighborhood, called the heliosphere — decoding the messages in particles from the Sun and beyond our cosmic shield.
See More of APL’s Work Across the Solar System
Explore the Destinations MapFocus Areas
Our People
We are scientists, engineers, planners, and dedicated professionals committed to exploring space and expanding humanity’s knowledge of the Sun-Earth system, our moon, the solar system, and beyond. We do the impossible every day. Learn more about our people.
Dragonfly Outer Moons
IMAP Interstellar Medium
Parker Solar Probe Sun and Solar Wind
Initiatives
APL’s scientists and engineers are leading and developing initiatives that will facilitate the exploration of the Moon and that could define the future of space exploration.
Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative Moon
Ice Giant Research and Exploration Giant Planets
EIS Outer Moons
DraGMet Outer Moons
JoEE/JENI Outer Moons
Education and Outreach
U.S. Space Force Schriever & West Space Scholars Program →
A highly selective U.S. Space Force program designed for military officers, government civilians, and partner nation students through a tailored track within the Johns Hopkins SAIS Master of International Public Policy degree.
As part of this collaboration, APL provides state-of-the-art facilities where Space Force leaders can collaborate on world-class research and development projects, as well as access to specialized facilities for work related to their national security missions.
Summer Center for Space Science →
Students in grades 6-8 work in teams alongside APL scientists and engineers who have designed and built space missions for NASA.
Our Organization
Since the dawn of the Space Age, Johns Hopkins APL has pushed the frontiers of space science, engineering and exploration. Learn more about how we lead missions from design and build through operations and data delivery.
Space Formulation
Leaning forward to take on the challenges of the future
National Security Space
Space solutions to critical military problems
Labs and Facilities
Our Facilities
APL is recognized as a leader in mission design and navigation; instrument development; mechanical engineering; mechanical design, thermal, and instrument accommodation; communications hardware; electrical subsystems and power; precision timekeeping devices, mission operations, and scientific research. Our facilities are essential to support our spaceflight build process and scientific discoveries.
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