A GROUNDBREAKING NASA MISSION TRAINING TOMORROW'S SPACE LEADERS TODAY
MEET ASPERA
Launching in 2026, a revolutionary small space telescope will embark on a groundbreaking mission to create the first-ever complete maps of the universe’s missing matter. This hidden gas—the raw material that forms stars and planets will be revealed in unprecedented detail: its location, how it moves, and how it transforms into the building blocks of worlds like ours.
THE MISSION
KEY STATS
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2026 Launch via Rocket Lab
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$20M Mission — 1% of traditional space telescope cost
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37 Students Trained — Real NASA mission experience
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First University of Arizona Led and Managed NASA Space Mission
LEADERSHIP
Led by the youngest NASA mission leader in history, Aspera will solve a 50-year astronomical mystery while training the next generation of space scientists.
INNOVATION MODEL
ASPERA ESTABLISHES A NEW MODEL FOR SPACE EXPLORATION, PROVING THAT WORLD CLASS SCIENCE CAN BE ACHIEVED AFFORDABLY, OPENING DOORS FOR UNIVERSITIES AND SMALLER INSTITUTIONS TO LEAD THEIR OWN SPACE MISSIONS.
WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR NUMBERS
37
STUDENTS TRAINED
REAL NASA MISSION EXPERIENCE
$14M
IN DIRECT ECONOMIC INJECTION
2026
ASPERA SET TO LAUNCH
3X
MORE STAR AND PLANET FUEL MAPPED THAN EVER BEFORE
LEADERSHIP TEAM
DR. CARLOS J. VARGAS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)
DR. HAUN CHUNG
PROJECT SCIENTIST
DR. ERIKA HAMDEN
DEPUTY PI
TOM MCMAHON
PROJECT MANAGER
HANNAH TANQUARY
SYSTEMS ENGINEER/DEPUTY PM
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
COMPLETE THE MISSION: $2M GOAL
ASPERA'S HARDWARE IS BUILT AND LAUNCH IS SECURED. IN AN ERA OF FEDERAL BUDGETT CONSTRAINTS, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ENSURE BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE AND STUDENT TRAINING CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED. WE'RE SEEKING $2 MILLION TO GUARANTEE FULL MISSION SUCCESS THROUGH 2027.
DONATE TODAY AND RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, PERKS, AND UPDATES
Mission Legacy Partner ($500,000+)
FUND MULTIPLE STUDENTS THROUGH MISSION COMPLETION AND ENSURE FULL OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
DONORS RECEIVE
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VIP Launch Viewing Experience
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Annual mission briefings with leadership team
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Private lab tour and cleanroom walkthrough
Student Leader Sponsor ($100,000 - $499,999)
COMPLETE SUPPORT FOR ONE GRADUATE RESEARCHER FOR 1 YEAR OR FUND 3-6 MONTHS OF MISSION OPERATIONS
DONORS RECEIVE
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Quarterly science updates and calls
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Meet and greet with leadership team
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Steward Observatory donor recognition
Mission Operations Sustainer ($50,000 - $99,999)
FUND 1-2 MONTHS OF COMPLETE MISSION OPERATIONS AND DATA TRANSMISSION
DONORS RECEIVE
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Mission milestone updates
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Aspera Mission patch and materials
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Invitation to annual donor appreciation event