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Space engineering: Out of this world research

Earth as seen from space

The University of Liverpool is home to a broad and ambitious programme of space research spanning engineering, physics, life sciences and data science.

In collaboration with partners including CERN, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Ministry of Defence, we lead and contribute to national and international efforts in planetary defence, space surveillance, microgravity research, satellite intelligence, space energy and sustainable space engineering.

Our researchers play key roles in major missions such as NASA’s DART asteroid deflection experiment and ESA’s Hera and Ramses missions, while also using the International Space Station as a laboratory to study muscle ageing and human health in microgravity. From autonomous spacecraft and orbital debris tracking to dark matter research, quantum sensors and artificial intelligence, we bring together disciplines to tackle some of the most important scientific and technological challenges of our time.

Through multidisciplinary research and global partnerships, the University of Liverpool is harnessing space to protect Earth, improve lives and help create a healthier, more secure and more sustainable future.

Watch on YouTube:

Space engineering

In this video, Professor Simon Maskell, Dr Stefania Soldini and Dr Kai Hoettges explain how their space engineering research is creating pioneering solutions for a better world.

Discover our researchers

Learn more about our experts within the field of space engineering.

Discover our work

European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer

Muscles, ageing and microgravity

Our experiments aboard the International Space Station are helping us understand what happens to human muscles as we age.

Infographic showing the effect of DART's impact on the orbit of Dimorphos.  Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL

NASA’s DART experiment

A University engineer was part of the world’s first full-scale planetary defence test to protect Earth against deadly asteroids.

Earth featuring a series of connected points via satellite

Space surveillance

Supporting the UK Ministry of Defence and the European Space Agency in space surveillance to map debris orbiting earth.

DART and ASI’s LICIACube at Didymos System

Hera mission

What might the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft find at the Didymos binary asteroid system?

Dr Fu presenting at the International Astronautical Congress 2024 in Milan

Meet our researchers: Dr Xiaoyu Fu

Dr Fu's work is contributing to the formulation of effective planetary defence strategies aimed at protecting the Earth from potentially catastrophic asteroid collisions.

Alumnus Colin Bennett infront of VSS Unity

Alumni stories: Aboard the VSS Unity

Alumnus Colin Bennett reflects on how his studies at Liverpool led him to take the journey of a lifetime aboard the Virgin Galactic spaceflight.

Latest news and updates

Recent news and updates from the University of Liverpool’s space engineering research community.