Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences

Larry Roe, director
Mechanical Engineering Building, 204D
479-575-3750
csaps@uark.edu

Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences website

The Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences is a research institute of the University of Arkansas, created by faculty from six departments, including Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. Those departments, representing the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering, work closely with the Graduate School and the Honors College.

The center operates world-class research facilities and cutting-edge research projects. It houses the only university-based, large-scale planetary simulation chamber in the country along with major facilities for the analysis of extraterrestrial samples. Major research interests include the analysis of returned samples from space, the nature of Mars, and instrumentation for use in space. The center also operates a number of programs of interest to the university community, grade school teachers and students, and the public.

The space center administers master’s and doctoral degree programs in space and planetary science. These provide a unique integrative interdisciplinary education and research training based on a suite of core courses spread across the departments and specialist courses appropriate to the student’s specific interests. Professional development in communications, ethics and space policy is also included. Such training gives graduates a competitive edge in today’s space and planetary job market.

Additionally, the Departments of Biological Sciences, Geosciences and Physics offer space and planetary science as an option in their own graduate programs. Admission procedures are outlined on the space center Web site along with detailed information about the programs, the research areas, and current research projects.