Last week, @kiss-caltech.bsky.social and @caltech.edu's Brinson Exploration Hub convened experts from industry, academia, & NASA to discuss paradigm-shifting ideas, affordability improvement measures, & personal actions to shape a new era of space science. Thanks to all involved!

Five new study topics have been selected by the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) at Caltech to develop collaborations, frameworks, and mission concepts to transform the future of space exploration. www.caltech.edu/about/news/n...

New Cohort of KISS Study Programs Push the Frontiers of Space Exploration

From exoplanets to desert landscapes, Caltech and JPL researchers are leading the development of revolutionary space missions of the future.

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KISS Affiliate Spotlight: Meet Kimberly Paragas! Kimberly is a GPS graduate student and the PI of a James Webb Space Telescope program aimed at characterizing the airless rocky exoplanet, LHS 3844 b. To learn more about her research, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/people/kimbe...

KISS Affiliate Spotlight: Meet Federico Benazzo! Federico is a EAS graduate student that developing ultra-thin carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers for deployable space structures. To learn more about his research, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/people/feder...

Recently, @kiss-caltech.bsky.social welcomed students from Mount Maunganui College in New Zealand for a visit! Our KISS affiliates presented their research & moderated a sample return mission session! The group then enjoyed a night at Mount Wilson Observatory and caught a rocket launch over LA!

KISS Affiliate Spotlight: Meet Victor Vescu! Victor is a EAS graduate student that researches the mechanics of natural and human-induced earthquakes through numerical simulations. To learn more about his research, visit: kiss.caltech.edu/people/victo...

KISS Affiliate Spotlight: Meet Sophia Westerkamp! Sophia is a GPS graduate student investigating how molecular-scale interactions scale up to form the rocks, planets, and systems that define our solar system. To learn more about her research, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/people/sophi...

Welcome, Ray Jayawardhana, to Caltech! 🛰️🌎🚀🌌🪐

Caltech@caltech.edu · last mo.

Today, Caltech and JPL welcome renowned astrophysicist, acclaimed author, and transformative leader, Ray Jayawardhana as the Institute’s tenth president! He brings a fierce commitment to building on Caltech’s legacy of discovery and exploration. Welcome to the frontier, RayJay! l1nq.com/uci46q8

Participants from the KISS "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration” study are planning a follow on IROS workshop on Robotic One-Shot Exploration from Deep Ocean to Deep Space! The call for contributions is now open - submit by July 27: sites.google.com/view/iros-20...

ROSE Workshop @ IROS 2026 - Call for Contributions

Extended Abstract We invite extended abstracts on robotics for exploration in remote, extreme, or poorly characterized environments. Topics include ocean and space robotics, autonomous science, adapti...

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Introducing KISS, featuring our new director, Mike Watkins! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5h... Watch our new trailer to learn what we're all about, then dive deeper: 📄 Reports & study findings: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report... 🎥 Lecture recordings: www.youtube.com/user/KISSCal...

Keck Institute for Space Studies: Shaping the Future of Space Exploration

YouTube video by caltech

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Congratulations to the KISS Affiliates Class of 2026! 🎓✨ Today, we celebrate your hard work, perseverance, and the bright futures ahead of you. We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make! To learn more about the affiliates, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/affiliates.h...

We're thrilled to share the newly published KISS Final Report, Exploring Exoplanets with Interferometry! Could next generation space interferometers help us find signs of life beyond Earth? This report explores how! Read the full report: bit.ly/exploring-ex...

It was fantastic to reconnect for a second study week with the “Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics” study participants! Learn more about this study on our website: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is pleased to announce updates to the KISS Steering Committee. Chaired by KISS Director, Mike Watkins, the 11 members of the Steering Committee provide guidance and expertise on KISS activities. www.kiss.caltech.edu/impact/2026_...

The Red Planet has inspired us for generations. Hear from our invited speakers Bonnie Teece (@cornelluniversity.bsky.social) and Brandi Carrier (@nasajpl.bsky.social) as they discussed Mars through the Ages. Available now on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=elun...

Mars through the Ages

YouTube video by KISSCaltech

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🚀 We're hiring a paid summer intern at KISS! Hands-on role in event support, impact analysis & website migration. Undergrad/grad students based in LA or able to work in Pasadena this summer. Looking to hire ASAP: phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf03/ats/ca... See KISS in action: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5h...

Last Thursday, @kiss-caltech.bsky.social hosted its annual Caltech-JPL Mixer at the Keck Center. The collaborative spirit was in full force as both communities gathered to explore options for diverse joint research programs in the fields of Earth and Space Science, and Technology.

The recording from the KISS panel at Ascend 2026 is available online. Thank you to our panelists including Evgenya Shkolnik, Jim Green, Charles Norton & Jon Arenberg for joining us for this incredible discussion on interdisciplinary collaboration. www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46a...

Making Revolutionary Ideas in Space Exploration Happen Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

YouTube video by AIAA

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Keck Institute for Space Studies@kiss-caltech.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Grateful for an incredible panel at Ascend 2026 with Evgenya Shkolnik, Jim Green, Charles Norton & Jon Arenberg. A key takeaway? Interdisciplinary collaboration makes ideas stronger, and the space sector needs more of these conversations. 🚀 #SpaceScience #ascendspace

Last week KISS participants presented key findings from the recent “One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems” study at both AIAA Ascend and #AbSciCon26 - showcasing the value of software-defined, capability-driven missions for deep space science.

Great work by @kiss-caltech.bsky.social co-lead Jessica Weber presenting the "Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics" study at #AbSciCon, and also to see participants reconnecting ahead of Workshop 2 in June! Read more on the study: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Grateful for an incredible panel at Ascend 2026 with Evgenya Shkolnik, Jim Green, Charles Norton & Jon Arenberg. A key takeaway? Interdisciplinary collaboration makes ideas stronger, and the space sector needs more of these conversations. 🚀 #SpaceScience #ascendspace

Multiple KISS studies are presenting their work at AbSciCon including "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems" (kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...) and "Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics" (kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...)!

Study Programs | Keck Institute for Space Studies

KISS study programs concentrate on ideas that have the capacity for revolutionary advances in space mission capability.

kiss.caltech.edu

The latest KISS newsletter is available, including updates on: 📆 Upcoming KISS Events - panels and lecture 🪐 2026 KISS study programs 👩‍🚀 KISS Impact - papers and presentations 🚀 Recent KISS activities - Yuri’s Night, recent talks, annual report Read it in full: mailchi.mp/kiss.caltech...

@kiss-caltech.bsky.social is leading a panel on interdisciplinary collaboration for advancing space science, exploration, and technology at ASCEND 2026. Join us from 1:30 -2:15pm on Wed May 20 at the International Ballroom to hear from our invited panelists and Executive Director!

Learn more about the Red Planet at "Mars through the Ages", a talk presented by invited speakers Bonnie Teece (@cornelluniversity.bsky.social) and Brandi Carrier (@nasajpl.bsky.social)! Location: Sharp Lecture Hall, Caltech Time: Refreshments 4:30pm, Lecture 5:00pm To register: bit.ly/2026_Mars

🚀 Curious about the future of space science? KISS hosts public lectures throughout the year including recent talks by John Mather on hybrid space-ground observatories, and Zac Manchester on building a tiny open-course space program. View past recordings: www.youtube.com/user/KISSCal...

The Keck Institute for Space Studies Annual Overview for 2025 was published in March 2026 and is now available. The overview highlights the impact of KISS through its study programs, symposia, public lectures, and more. To read the report, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report...

The lecture recording from Zac Manchester's (@mit.edu) talk is available on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KV... Watch the video to learn more about the future of low-cost missions and open-source programming. To view past lectures, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/lectures.html

Building a Tiny Open-Source Space Program: From ChipSats to Autonomous Swarms

YouTube video by KISSCaltech

youtube.com

Keck Institute for Space Studies@kiss-caltech.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Join us on Wed 4/8 for a talk from Zac Manchester of @mit.edu as he highlights the exciting capabilities of low-cost missions in the era of open-source programming, computation, networking, and autonomy. Register here: bit.ly/2026_Manches... Read more: www.kiss.caltech.edu/lectures/202...

We recently hosted the KISS "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems - Part II" study program. Congratulations to the team! Stay tuned for updates such as the final report and follow-on impact. Visit our website for more: kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Be sure to check out the short course videos from our Hybrid Space-Ground Observatories study program! Hear from the amazing speakers as they discuss the latest technologies and mission concepts that aim to probe the cosmos for Earth-like exoplanets! Watch now: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Keck Institute for Space Studies@kiss-caltech.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Join us on Monday, March 9th for the KISS short course "Hybrid Space-Ground Observatories: Revolutionizing the Search for Earth-Like Exoplanets". Registration is not required, seating is first-come first-served. For more information, visit: kiss.caltech.edu/short_course...