Space Dynamics Laboratory Recognizes Graduating Student Employees

Each year, Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory offers university students the opportunity to transform classroom knowledge into practical, mission-critical experience. This spring, 37 SDL student employees are graduating from USU, collectively earning 40 academic degrees. Their achievements reflect SDL’s commitment to mentoring future aerospace, national defense, and space science leaders.

Of the 37 graduates, 32 will receive bachelor’s degrees, with several students completing dual degrees, and five will earn master’s degrees. The graduating students represent eight colleges at USU and a broad array of disciplines, with degrees awarded in thirteen fields, including accounting, chemistry, computer engineering, computer science, data analytics, economics, electrical engineering, global communications, information systems, management information systems, mechanical engineering, technical communication and rhetoric, and technology systems. Notably, a majority (65 percent) of these degrees fall within the computing and engineering fields and reflect the technical foundation of SDL’s mission. The remaining 35 percent include vital areas such as business, management, and communication, which provide the infrastructure and insight needed to support SDL’s multidisciplinary projects.

The largest group of graduates, 12 in total, earned degrees in computer science and contributed to efforts at SDL such as software development, automation, and cybersecurity implementation. Ten students in mechanical engineering played key roles in hardware development, including spacecraft components and testing. Another six graduates specializing in electrical or computer engineering focused on electronics and signal processing tools for complex space- and ground-based programs. Students in data analytics applied their skills to help teams interpret data for mission-critical applications. Others, majoring in disciplines such as accounting, technical communication, economics, and global communications, provided business support functions essential to the success of SDL and its mission partners.

Together, the 2025 graduating cohort has logged more than 70,000 hours supporting SDL initiatives, directly contributing to national missions like NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE), Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor, and Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE). Working alongside seasoned professionals, these students have written software that is now operating on various missions, tested components destined for space, and supported national security requirements. Beyond these immediate contributions, their graduation marks an important milestone in SDL’s long-standing role as a pipeline for talent in the aerospace and defense industry. Some students will remain at SDL in full-time roles, while others have accepted positions at other industry-leading organizations, and some are continuing their education in pursuit of master's or PhD degrees.

As these 37 students graduate and begin the next chapter of their careers, they take with them not only a degree but the experience of solving real-world problems alongside engineers, scientists, mission operators, and business professionals. Their time at SDL has shaped them into professionals ready to lead in space exploration, scientific discovery, and national security.

Headquartered on Utah State University’s Innovation Campus in North Logan, Utah, SDL is an independent nonprofit corporation owned by USU. It employs 1,400 engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals who solve technical challenges faced by the military, science community, and industry and support NASA’s vision to explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. SDL has field offices in Albuquerque, NM; Chantilly, VA; Huntsville, AL; Ogden, UT; and Stafford, VA.

As one of 15 Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers, SDL is both a trusted advisor to the U.S. government and a specialist in its areas of expertise, rapidly developing government-owned solutions to nationally significant challenges.