Space Technology

Since the dawn of the Space Age, APL has been deeply involved in data analysis and visualization. Our scientists have the analytical capabilities to support the entire life cycle of a mission.

From investigating a team’s proposed flight trajectories, to designing and testing its instruments, to analyzing the returned mission data, APL can support mission development from beginning to end. Applying a wide range of experience in visualization, software development and algorithmic analysis, APL researchers can extract valuable scientific information from the growing amounts of mission data to address key questions about our place in the cosmos, whether from the Sun, Pluto or beyond. And with expertise in software tools and development, our scientists can comprehend and visualize this data in new and powerful ways, including machine learning, cloud computing and virtual and augmented reality. These tools and skills were used to model the heliosphere using particle instruments on NASA’s Parker Solar Probe; to analyze and re-project images of Pluto captured by NASA’s New Horizons; and to develop 3D models with the APL-designed Small Body Mapping Tool, which enables detailed studies of asteroid surfaces and aided in selecting a touch-down spot for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission on the asteroid Bennu.