School of Physics Announces Two New Academic Programs

Minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology (Available Now!)

In response to the explosion of research, development, investment, and employment opportunities in quantum information science taking place across academia, national labs, and private industry, the Georgia Tech School of Physics is now offering a new undergraduate Minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology.

Major in Astrophysics (Coming Summer 2025!)

The Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics degree provides comprehensive and rigorous training in the fundamental physical processes and laws that govern planetary systems, stars, galaxies and the Universe as a whole. In addition to these core topics, the degree includes training in computational techniques and data analysis that can be applied to a variety of disciplines.

To learn more about the new major and minor, and to see the required coursework, view the full story here.

Research Centers Supported by the Space Research Initiative

Across Georgia Tech, researchers are exploring the universe — its origins, possible futures, and humanity and Earth’s place in it. These investigations are the efforts of hundreds of astrobiologists, astrophysicists, aerospace engineers, astronomers, and experts in space policy and science fiction — and all of this work is brought together under the Institute’s new Space Research Initiative (SRI).

The SRI is the hub of all things space-related at Georgia Tech. It connects research institutes, labs, facilities, Schools, and Colleges to foster the conversation about space across Georgia and beyond. As a budding Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI), the SRI currently encompasses three core centers that contribute distinct interdisciplinary perspectives to studying space.

To learn about all of the research centers supported by the SRI, and to read the full story, click here.

Hirabayashi Chosen by NASA to Join European Space Agency’s Planetary Mission to Study Results of Asteroid Deflection

Masatoshi (Toshi) Hirabayashi, an associate professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has been selected by NASA’s Hera Participating Scientist Program (HERA-PSP) to join the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera mission. Together, with an international consortium of 11 other scientists, Hirabayashi will perform a multi-faceted, detailed, post-impact study of NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. The DART mission was led by the Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory. 

The DART mission targeted the binary asteroid system where Dimorphos (the smaller secondary) orbits Didymos (the larger primary), to intentionally cause a spacecraft crash on Dimorphos. The collision, which occurred on September 26, 2022, was the first to demonstrate asteroid deflection by changing the asteroid’s motion in space through kinetic impact. Astronomers monitored this event using ground- and space-based telescopes like the Hubble Telescope (HST). A recent Nature article, “Ejecta, From the DART-Produced Active Asteroid Dimorphos,” on which Hirabayashi is a co-author, documented HST’s detailed observations of the intense dust ejection generated by the impact. 

Read the full story here.

2025 LSIC (Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium) Spring Meeting

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Thursday, May 22, 2025. Venue: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Kossiakoff Center, Laurel, MD, (hybrid)

Technology Demonstration

There are many technology payloads headed to the Moon from our LSII/LSIC community! This is your chance to share your technologies for the Moon and eventually, Mars. LSIC is taking submissions from individuals and/or companies interested in bringing a prototype to our 2025 Spring Meeting for our technology “Show and Tell”. This provides the community an opportunity to learn more about what technologies are out there to drive partnerships and establish networks that bridge us to a sustainable existence on the Moon. To be considered for this showcase, please fill out this application, since space is limited. Please note, LSIC may not be able to accommodate all requested support items but provided infrastructure will be communicated upon acceptance. Technology demonstrators are responsible for delivering technologies to the demonstration floor, as well as removing technologies. Storing technologies (for the day of demonstration only) can be arranged in advance dependent on space available. We are only accepting prototypes carried in hand. There is no option for shipping to our facility. 

Abtract Portal

The Abstract Portal is open! We invite abstracts from the community pertaining to our LSIC capability areas. This includes technical capabilities and lunar surface technology needs and assessments. If the abstract subject is related to a specific technology, we encourage the inclusion of TRL and possible infusion paths. These abstracts are due no later than March 31, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT. Abstracts are limited to one page in length and should be submitted using the template available on the 2025 LSIC Spring Meeting webpage. Accepted abstracts will be invited to participate in the poster session. To submit, please follow our 4 step process and note that compliance with the abstract template is required for acceptance.

———-PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS———-

Step 1: Download the template https://lsic.jhuapl.edu/abstractTemplate.

Step 2: Write the abstract using the format shown in the template.

Step 3: Create a PDF file.

Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and click “Submit”.

See the event here.