about us a trusted partner . a national resource . the aerospace corporation has provided independent technical and scientific research development and advisory services to national security space nss programs since 1960 . we operate a federally funded research and development center ffrdc for the united states air force s space and missile systems center smc and the national reconnaissance office nro . we also apply more than 55 years of space systems experience to projects in the national interest for civil agencies like nasa the national oceanic and atmospheric administration commercial companies universities and international organizations . publications view all careers view all news view all capabilities the aerospace ffrdc capabilities the aerospace corporation s federally funded research and development center ffrdc technical capabilities facilities and modeling and simulation tools were originally developed to support the air force s space and missile systems center and national reconnaissance office in their national security space mission . explore more launch certification mission assurance successfully executing space missions remains a high risk unforgiving venture and the impact of these missions only continues to grow in criticality scope expense and visibility . explore more technology application the aerospace corporation s technical staff encompasses world recognized experts in their disciplines . our talented workforce remains at the forefront of technology and science applying the latest technological advances and innovation to benefit our customers . explore more process implementation the business of space is unforgiving one mistake can cause major mission and or financial setbacks for our customers . the aerospace corporation s staff works diligently with customers to implement mandated and custom designed processes to ensure mission success . explore more systems development and acquisition the aerospace corporation s customers pursue complex projects that can take many years to complete due both to technical challenges as well as the government s rigorous acquisition process . aerospace supports customers in all phases of the acquisition cycle . explore more system of systems engineering the aerospace corporation has been contributing to the success of space systems for more than 50 years . utilizing our end to end systems engineering expertise we focus on the government s needs to develop the best space related capabilities within cost and schedule constraints . the aerospace corporation has launched a new division vaeros to help our customers solve some of the world s most complex systems engineering and integration challenges . visit vaeros research overview mission assurance space systems research & development technology transfer producing innovative solutions through research the aerospace corporation functions as the nation s independent testing assessment and research center for national security space systems specializing in advanced military space systems . along with supporting the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through rigorous scientific research and application of advanced technology our technical teams also focus on developing and integrating new technologies to enhance existing space systems . research is focused on fields pertaining to space and space related systems including electrical power systems for rockets and spacecraft microelectronics optoelectronics and microelectromechanical systems laser technologies active optical remote sensing systems optical communications fiber optic sensor applications and applications of atomic physics . learn more ensuring mission success for all our customers successfully executing space missions remains a high risk unforgiving venture and the impact of these missions only continues to grow in criticality scope expense and visibility . such complex undertakings so central to the nation s security require an approach that will ensure their success . mission assurance is the disciplined application of proven scientific engineering quality and program management principles toward the goal of achieving mission success . it follows a general systems engineering framework and uses risk management and independent assessment as cornerstones throughout the program lifecycle . learn more creating improving and maintaining complex space systems space systems infrastructure is a complex system of systems that involves space ground and user components . the intricate connections between these three major components with the added complication that we can not modify elements once deployed in space create myriad challenges for our customers . the aerospace corporation uses the expertise and experience of our technical staff to find innovative solutions to these challenges in space systems infrastructures . aerospace research focuses on fields pertaining to space and space related systems . our scientists and engineers collect comprehensive data which is then integrated analyzed compared and contrasted with other data and made available to our customers . they then apply this information to define needs and conceptualize architectures for our nation s future space systems . learn more supporting present and future mission success the aerospace corporation s fundamental research and development specializes in advanced military and civilian space systems . these space systems utilize aspects of virtually every physical science and must operate in the harshest and most unforgiving of environments . to ensure mission success aerospace recognizes the necessity of conducting research and development in a single location which allows for complementary knowledge sharing among our scientists and engineers from a wide variety disciplines as well as ease of interdepartmental support when necessary . our physical science laboratories psl provide a secure self contained organization with resources powerful enough to allow complete self reliance . psl operates more than 80 specialized laboratories in support of aerospace s fundamental research and development gathered into three focus areas the electronics and photonics laboratory epl the space materials laboratory sml and the space science applications laboratory ssal . learn more leveraging our expertise and experience for optimal solutions for virtually the entire history of the nation s civilian and military space programs the aerospace corporation has worked to address and solve program anomalies characterize the space environment and develop methods to operate within it . repurposing our technical tools and skills to create unique solutions to challenges in the private sector is a key asset for the corporation and a huge benefit for our customers . aerospace leverages intellectual property via licensing agreements and other mechanisms creating access to a repository of technology and other tools that has resulted from decades of research experience and lessons learned . aerospace holds more than 550 patents and our scientists and engineers are continually adding new technologies and inventions to the collection . learn more overview producing innovative solutions through research the aerospace corporation functions as the nation s independent testing assessment and research center for national security space systems specializing in advanced military space systems . along with supporting the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through rigorous scientific research and application of advanced technology our technical teams also focus on developing and integrating new technologies to enhance existing space systems . research is focused on fields pertaining to space and space related systems including electrical power systems for rockets and spacecraft microelectronics optoelectronics and microelectromechanical systems laser technologies active optical remote sensing systems optical communications fiber optic sensor applications and applications of atomic physics . learn more mission assurance ensuring mission success for all our customers successfully executing space missions remains a high risk unforgiving venture and the impact of these missions only continues to grow in criticality scope expense and visibility . such complex undertakings so central to the nation s security require an approach that will ensure their success . mission assurance is the disciplined application of proven scientific engineering quality and program management principles toward the goal of achieving mission success . it follows a general systems engineering framework and uses risk management and independent assessment as cornerstones throughout the program lifecycle . learn more space systems creating improving and maintaining complex space systems space systems infrastructure is a complex system of systems that involves space ground and user components . the intricate connections between these three major components with the added complication that we can not modify elements once deployed in space create myriad challenges for our customers . the aerospace corporation uses the expertise and experience of our technical staff to find innovative solutions to these challenges in space systems infrastructures . aerospace research focuses on fields pertaining to space and space related systems . our scientists and engineers collect comprehensive data which is then integrated analyzed compared and contrasted with other data and made available to our customers . they then apply this information to define needs and conceptualize architectures for our nation s future space systems . learn more research & development supporting present and future mission success the aerospace corporation s fundamental research and development specializes in advanced military and civilian space systems . these space systems utilize aspects of virtually every physical science and must operate in the harshest and most unforgiving of environments . to ensure mission success aerospace recognizes the necessity of conducting research and development in a single location which allows for complementary knowledge sharing among our scientists and engineers from a wide variety disciplines as well as ease of interdepartmental support when necessary . our physical science laboratories psl provide a secure self contained organization with resources powerful enough to allow complete self reliance . psl operates more than 80 specialized laboratories in support of aerospace s fundamental research and development gathered into three focus areas the electronics and photonics laboratory epl the space materials laboratory sml and the space science applications laboratory ssal . learn more technology transfer leveraging our expertise and experience for optimal solutions for virtually the entire history of the nation s civilian and military space programs the aerospace corporation has worked to address and solve program anomalies characterize the space environment and develop methods to operate within it . repurposing our technical tools and skills to create unique solutions to challenges in the private sector is a key asset for the corporation and a huge benefit for our customers . aerospace leverages intellectual property via licensing agreements and other mechanisms creating access to a repository of technology and other tools that has resulted from decades of research experience and lessons learned . aerospace holds more than 550 patents and our scientists and engineers are continually adding new technologies and inventions to the collection . learn more education the early career development network class of 2014 dedicated to developing the aerospace community the aerospace corporation has a longstanding dedication to education . from outreach programs with local schools to the yearly robert h. herndon science fair competitions held on our campuses aerospace has prioritized bringing our scientific expertise and knowledge to the next generation of aerospace pioneers . our early career employees are encouraged to join a specialized mentoring program created to expand corporate awareness provide networking opportunities and encourage insight about developing a satisfying career . the aerospace institute offers classes for both employees and customer to provide additional knowledge related to our work and our technical workshops offer educational forums for the exchange of ideas among industry experts . 2310 e. el segundo blvd. el segundo ca 90245 4609 310 336 5000 2310 e. el segundo blvd. el segundo ca 90245 4609 310 336 5000 about us what we do who we are who we serve our history csr locations capabilities launch certification mission assurance system of systems engineering systems development and acquisition process implementation technology application research mission assurance space systems 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