The Aerospace Research & Engineering Systems Institute, Inc. (ARES Institute) is a non-profit educational and scientific organization that promotes space exploration, advanced technology development and STEM education. The organization was founded in 2003 and is a registered tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ARES Institute pursues its mission of research and education by establishing innovative hands-on programs involving students, educational institutions and the general public across the United States.
ARES Institute came to life in 2003 in the wake of the Columbia accident and recognition of the need to increase public support for space exploration as well as STEM education in America”s schools. One of the ways we do this is by creating unique projects utilizing nanosatellite technologies to design and build hardware and experiments that may actually fly in space.
Building on our research into green propulsion technologies for launch vehicles, ARES Institute has started an initiative to investigate the applicability of our work to in-space propulsion. The Calypso project is an experimental mission to demonstrate the applicability of our new propellant blend to cubesat propulsion requirements.
We believe that the future of human spaceflight has a direct impact on the potential quality of life on Earth. Both the course space exploration and health of the Earth”s environment are dependent on the development of advanced energy technologies. To this end, we are pursuing an ambitious program to establish a world-class facility to research high-energy plasma and fusion technology for in-space applications (power and propulsion) and uses here on Earth (including terrestrial power and waste remediation).
Public outreach and engagement is central to ARES Institute”s ongoing mission of promoting space exploration and technology development.