San Diego Space Institute

Our History

The San Diego Space Institute (SDSI) emerged from a rich legacy of collaborative space research tied to NASA's Space Transportation System (STS) missions. Key efforts include those of Rolando Branly, who spearheaded student-driven payload projects, and Sean Casey, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley's NewSpace movement. A defining moment was the deployment of the TAMSE (Terrestrial and Atmospheric Multi-Spectral Explorer) payload on STS-91, launched on June 2, 1998, from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39-A and landing June 12, 1998, on Runway 15. This mission, the 9th and final docking with the MIR station, also featured the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, hinting at SDSI’s early contributions to astrophysics alongside environmental science through TAMSE. Over time, SDSI evolved from traditional STS payloads to embrace AI, robotics, additive manufacturing, and sensor technologies, reflecting its mission to innovate for space exploration and healthcare in extreme environments. Its space medicine initiatives, including radiation dosimetry and biological response studies, have shaped our understanding of human health in microgravity, supporting long-duration missions and dual-use medical advancements.

Our Team

Our multidisciplinary team drives SDSI’s mission with specialized expertise, pushing the boundaries of space exploration and dual-use technology through innovation and collaboration:

• Sean Casey, co-founder and former NASA astrophysicist with over two decades of experience, leads integration of AI and robotics into space missions, drawing from his NewSpace leadership.
• Rolando Branly, a physicist pivotal in student-led STS payloads, mentors the next generation through educational outreach.
• Ravi Komatireddy, spearheads space medicine with AI-driven health monitoring for astronauts, ensuring health during long-duration missions.
• Dave Stobel, manages the small satellite program using additive manufacturing for efficient spacecraft like CubeSats.
• Emily Howard, advances STEM outreach with virtual reality and robotics to inspire future innovators.
• Ian Gatley, enhances aerospace and medical applications through sensor technology development.

Together, this team of engineers, scientists, and researchers advances SDSI’s goals in aerospace and space medicine.

Also leading our efforts are teams from San Jose State University and San Diego State University who bring expertise in aerospace engineering, biomedical research, and AI development.

Our Mission

The mission of SDSI is to advance research, development, and education in Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, additive manufacturing, and sensor technologies for aerospace and space medicine. SDSI fosters innovation, collaboration, and workforce development to create dual-use technologies that address the challenges of space exploration and healthcare in extreme environments.