UT Center for Space Research

08/25/2026

08/19/2026

Congratulations to Maruthi Akella on receiving the Joe J. King Professional Engineering Achievement Award from the Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin! 🤘

We are proud to celebrate this important achievement and Professor Akella's continued contributions to the aerospace community.

🚀 Big congratulations to Dr. Akella!

Maruthi Akella has been named the recipient of the Joe J. King Professional Engineering Achievement Award from the Cockrell School of Engineering! 🎉

For decades, Akella has been advancing the fields of guidance, navigation and control, autonomy and astrodynamics — helping turn cutting-edge research into real-world aerospace innovation. 🛰️

This award celebrates his impact not only through groundbreaking research, but also through the generations of engineers and researchers he has inspired and mentored along the way.

We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition! 👏

🔗 Read more about Akella’s research and award here: https://ae.utexas.edu/news/akella-honored-for-advancing-aerospace-engineering-through-controls-and-autonomy/

07/10/2026

Family, friends, colleagues, and former students will gather to remember Byron, share stories, and reflect on the many lives he touched on July 10th, at 1pm CDT at Center for Space Research in Austin, Texas. He is remembered not only for his remarkable career and contributions to science, but also for his generosity, kindness, humor, and the encouragement he gave to so many. Together, we will celebrate a life filled with curiosity, generosity, and purpose, and the many friendships, memories, and accomplishments Byron leaves with us.

If you are unable to attend in person, you are invited to join us online using the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Xhdjek8s1Jk

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics

Welcome, and thank you for joining us as we celebrate the life of D...

07/06/2026

For those who knew Dr. Byron Tapley, or who would like to honor his remarkable life and legacy, the following services will be held this week.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 9, and a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 10, at 1:00 p.m. at The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research, 3925 W. Braker Lane, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78759.

Additional details are available in Dr. Tapley's obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lakeway-tx/byron-tapley-12939932

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics

Celebrate the life of Byron Tapley, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis Chapel.

06/30/2026

The CSR and UT community continues to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Byron Tapley, whose leadership, vision, and dedication made a profound impact on our organization and broader scientific community.

Family, Friends, Colleagues, and members of the community are invited to join a celebration of his remarkable life and enduring legacy.

Memorial Service
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central Time
Location: West Pickle Atrium, 3925 West Braker Lane, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78759

06/24/2026

The CSR community mourns the loss of Byron Tapley, whose leadership, vision, and dedication made a profound impact on our organization and the broader scientific community.

Dr. Tapley was a passionate advocate for our mission and our people, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. We are honored to have worked alongside him and grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics

05/07/2026

Shout out to CSR alum Tim Crain, this year's featured speaker at Cockrell School of Engineering Commencement on May 8! 🎓🤘

Tim's leadership continues to shape the future of space exploration through his work at Intuitive Machines, and we're excited to see him inspire the next generation of engineers and inventors.

Commencement week is here, and so is our incredible speaker lineup! 🎓

From groundbreaking research to championship wins and creative excellence, this year’s keynote speakers bring powerful perspectives and undeniable Longhorn spirit. 🧡

Check out the full lineup here - https://utex.as/4tZBctU

04/28/2026

Attention SEES 2026 Applicants! 📧
Notification emails have been sent. Please check your inbox and spam/junk folder to make sure you received yours. Wishing you the best of luck!

04/23/2026

This Thursday 📣 Join us for a talk by Robert D. Braun, Ph.D., Space Exploration Sector Head at Johns Hopkins APL, on how autonomy is reshaping the future of spaceflight.
 
From Mars missions to deep space exploration, Dr. Braun will discuss the evolving balance between ground control and autonomous systems—and what it enables for the next generation of space missions.
 
📅 Thursday, April 23, 2026
🕒 3:30–5:00 pm
📍 ASE 1.126
 
Reception to follow ✨

04/17/2026

Congratulations to Srinivas Bettadpur and the newest members of the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni! Your achievements continue to inspire and elevate the engineering community. 🤘🚀

Celebrating excellence in aerospace and beyond 🤘🚀
 
We’re proud to welcome the newest members of the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni! The Class of 2026 was officially inducted on April 3rd at a special ceremonial banquet.
 
These outstanding alumni are recognized for their impactful careers, technical leadership, and dedication to advancing their fields and communities.
 
🌟 Srinivas Bettadpur
🌟 Curt von Braun
🌟 Vinci Felix
🌟 Gabe Garrett
🌟 Jalal Mapar
🌟 Daniel Neal
🌟 Robert Tachau
🌟 Nathan Vassberg
🌟 Posthumous Honoree: Eugene Ripperger
 
The sky is not the limit for these alumni and we are proud to call them !
 
🔗 Learn more about the Academy and explore their full bios at the link in our bio.