Space and hypersonics

At Notre Dame, discovery doesn't end at the edge of Earth's atmosphere. Or at the speed of sound. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of flight to unlock mysteries that impact life here on the ground.

An Ariane rocket launches, with bright orange flames and white smoke billowing from the base. The rocket is white and tall, ascending against a cloudy gray sky. Three tall metal towers surround the launchpad. High-angle view of the James Webb Space Telescope's gold-colored hexagonal mirrors being assembled in a large clean room. Support equipment and personnel in clean suits are visible below. Two researchers in white lab coats and protective eyewear work with a complex optical setup on a metal table. They wear purple gloves and are adjusting components of the experiment.

Space and hypersonics

Fan of the moon

Clive Neal searches for new resources in lunar rocks.

The full moon in a dark sky.
  • A bright orange, yellow, and white glow from a rocket taking off at night.

    Article

    Fighting to reach the next frontier in space

    With the launch of the United States Space Force and NASA's planned Artemis missions to the Moon, our nation may be reigniting its curiosity with what's beyond.

  • An interior view of an observatory shows a large red telescope pointing toward a starry night sky.

    Article

    First light

    Discovery brings search for life on other planets into focus

  • Mc 5

    News

    Up, up and away

    Inspired by the unknown, University of Notre Dame Senior Nelson Badillo Perez will pursue a doctorate in materials science and mechanical engineering at Harvard next year as a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow.

  • A futuristic space station with solar panels orbits in front of a dark, cratered moon and a starry sky.

    Article

    Gate maker

    Alumnus plays critical role in NASA’s effort to return to the Moon

  1. Sunlight bursts through the vibrant green canopy of tall deciduous trees, viewed from below, creating a bright dappled effect.

    News

    How light reflects on leaves may help researchers identify dying forests

    A new study from researchers at the University of Notre Dame, published in Nature: Communications Earth & Environment, uncovers a more comprehensive picture of forest health. Funded by NASA, the research shows that spectral reflectance—a measurement obtained from satellite images—corresponds with the expression of specific genes.

  3. Purple gloved hands hold components of a mini satellite

    News

    Voyage to the edge of space: IrishSat to launch innovative mini satellite payload on SpaceX Transporter Mission

  8. A detailed painting of two angels reaching for stars on a deep blue ceiling with gold accents.

    Podcast

    Heavenly Realms

    We're closer than ever to knowing whether life exists on other planets. A Notre Dame researcher talks about what he and other experts are recommending to find the answer in the next 20 years. And, what can be done at the moment a life passes from this world to the next? A scholar of Medieval…

  9. The words ‘HEAVY METALS’ in a striped, neon font against a dark, starry background.

    Article

    Heavy metals

    Hunting the rarest stars in the galaxy

  10. A close-up view of the rust-colored surface of Mars as it curves into the blackness of space.

    Article

    Mission to Mars

    Notre Dame research helps propel NASA ambition

  11. A man stands inside a large arch, looking at a hexagonal gold mirror, possibly from the James Webb Space Telescope.

    Article

    Seizing the “Apollo moment”

    Notre Dame scientists among the first to experiment with the James Webb Space Telescope

  12. A close-up, black and white photo of several water droplets hanging from a textured surface.

    Article

    Space bubbles

    Experiment on International Space Station aims to improve cancer detection

  13. A contrail from an airplane stretches across a blue sky with white clouds.

    Article

    Super speed

    Notre Dame is building country’s largest quiet hypersonic wind tunnel

  14. A close-up of a large, metallic industrial pipe with a series of bolted flanges and a blue and red light reflecting off the surface.

    Article

    Fighting to go faster and farther than ever thought possible

Discover and engage
  1. A woman with short dark hair smiles slightly while looking off-camera. She wears a brown, fleece-lined winter jacket. In the background, snow rests on dried plants in front of a tan brick wall.

    Podcast

    Cold plunges and unicorns

    Anthropologist Cara Ocobock reveals what extreme cold reveals about our bodies and human resilience, and why hunting a “unicorn” is harder than it looks.

  2. A snow-covered parking lot at the University of Notre Dame. Dozens of cars are buried under thick mounds of white snow, with one yellow Jeep featuring an ND logo on the spare tire cover visible amidst the winter landscape.

    Photo Essay

    Plunging into winter

    The month in photos, January 2026

  3. A wooden mannequin is manipulated like a marionette by two large, silhouetted hands from above. The background is divided vertically down the center into solid blue and red sections, symbolizing themes of control and political polarization.

    Article

    Are we social media's puppets?

    Peacebuilder Lisa Schirch believes better tech platforms can bolster democracy.

  4. Aerial view of the University of Notre Dame campus covered in snow at sunset. The Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart spire stand against a vibrant orange sky above snow-dusted rooftops and a central quad with intersecting walkways.

    Article

    Sustainers of hope: How Notre Dame pursued breakthroughs for a world in need in 2025

    The year in review.

  5. A bright lightning bolt flashes down behind the dark spire of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the illuminated Golden Dome of Notre Dame's Main Building under a grey, stormy sky.

    Photo Essay

    25 images of 2025

    From the changing built environment to the changing seasons, every one of the 365 days of 2025 looked different.

  6. Snowy winter night at the University of Notre Dame. The Golden Dome of the Main Building and the spire of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart glow, surrounded by warm lights and a blue-lit Christmas tree.

    Video

    Merry Christmas from Notre Dame

  7. A smiling woman with glasses and brown hair pulled back stands in front of a dark blue background with abstract white digital lines and binary code.

    Podcast

    A human-centered framework for AI ethics

    In this episode, Meghan Sullivan explains the DELTA framework, a human-centered approach to AI ethics—and why the choices we make today will define how this powerful technology shapes our future.

  8. Aerial view of a red and organge sunset over the skyline of the Notre Dame campus

    Photo Essay

    A blend of seasons

    The month in photos, November 2025

  9. Aerial view of the classical, domed former Gary City Hall building with a 'Welcome to Gary' sign on the front lawn.

    Article

    Fighting for community regeneration

    Gary, Indiana, has been a song lyric, a cultural hub, a stigma, a city to rush past, but now it is poised to revitalize, thanks in part to Notre Dame's School of Architecture.