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Photo of Johns Hopkins APL’s Camera Reveals Surprise for NASA’s Lucy Mission in First Asteroid Encounter
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Johns Hopkins APL’s Camera Reveals Surprise for NASA’s Lucy Mission in First Asteroid Encounter

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Flight and Ground Software

Flight and Ground Software

APL’s software developers create and implement complex algorithms to collect and interpret payload data, assess system health and coordinate or command other subsystems or activities.

Flight software provides the spacecraft with embedded, intelligent, real-time instructions to execute various spacecraft activities. APL’s flight software developers create and implement complex algorithms to collect and interpret payload data, assess system health and coordinate or command other subsystems or activities. Embedded software engineers develop real-time testbed software to test thousands of coordinated inputs to flight algorithms on the ground to ensure the success of the mission. 

The ground software team provides the complex information system that enables the successful implementation, integration and operation of a spacecraft and its mission. Our software systems span the entire space mission life cycle, and our team serves in critical roles as developers, trusted agents, and technical advisors. Both flight and ground software components are essential not only to overall mission success but also to enhancing data collection, improving science return and the understanding of results. 

Missions

APL has designed, built and operated more than 70 innovative spacecraft over its six decades of spaceflight experience. Click below to learn about some of the missions that made revolutionary discoveries, and spacecraft that will push the boundaries of exploration and investigate outstanding scientific mysteries.

Learn more about STEREO
Rendering of the STEREO spacecraft observing the Sun

STEREO

The Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) mission has provided 3D views of the solar corona, coronal mass ejections and the solar wind, and advanced space weather forecasting.

Instruments

Scientists and engineers at APL have designed, built and operated more than 300 novel space instruments and methods to conduct cutting-edge research and make groundbreaking discoveries. Click below to learn about some of these instruments and their role in shaping our understanding of space and the solar system.

Learn more about ULEIS
ACE spacecraft with ULEIS instrument in space around Sun

ULEIS

Mission

ACE

Destinations

Sun & Solar Wind
The Ultra Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer (ULEIS) determines the range and abundances of isotopes during massive solar events.

Stories

Go inside APL’s space missions and research, and check out the latest news, features and discoveries from the teams that are probing mysteries from the Sun to the edge of the solar system and beyond.

A silver drone-like rotorcraft sits on the sandy, tan surface of a planet, with shaded mountains and a hazy sky and Sun in the background
Oct 23, 2023

Tunnel Visions

Well before NASA's Dragonfly rotorcraft lander soars through Titan's skies, APL researchers are making sure their designs and models for the nuclear-powered, car-sized drone will truly work in an alien environment. The team has been testing its flight systems in wind tunnel facilities at NASA's Langley Research Center.
Rendering of the Interstellar Mapping Probe in space.
Sep 20, 2023

IMAP Mission Begins Integration and Testing at Johns Hopkins APL — Public Invited to Follow Along With Livestream

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is embarking on its yearlong integration and testing campaign, during which all of the instruments and components will be added to the spacecraft structure, and tested to ensure they will survive the harsh environments of launch and space, and made ready to execute their mission.
A spacecraft covered in gold foil and a tiny box-like companion satellite are in a space scene, with two asteroids: one gray, ellipsoidal and covered in the rocks, the other more pyramid-like; both are gray
May 19, 2023

DART Mission Recognized for Aerospace Excellence

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), designed, built and operated by Johns Hopkins APL, was recognized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with the organization's newest award -- the AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence -- on May 18.