In the Aerospace Engineering area, we have extensive experience in the field of space science and engineering, particularly in the study of physical phenomena under microgravity conditions and in the operation of experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Our scientific activity focuses on research into fluid dynamics, materials, and thermal processes in microgravity, as well as on the development of new technologies for the control, monitoring, and operational support of space missions. In addition, we actively participate in the design and operation of scientific experiments for the European Space Agency (ESA), developing simulation, control, and data analysis infrastructures. We also work on the development of nanosatellite models and prototypes, ground support systems, and simulation tools for training and experimentation in the space environment.
Area Director
Ana Laverón
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Research Lines
1.- Space vehicles, small satellites, and operational support:
- Design, fabrication, and validation of laboratory models of nanosatellites with attitude freedom.
- Ground support for laboratory nanosatellite models: solar simulator, rotating table, magnetic simulator, etc.
- Space operations: planning, control of scientific payloads, simulation of platforms in microgravity/orbit.
2.- Data science, archiving, and exploitation of space mission data:
- Development of platforms for archiving and valorization of microgravity experiment data.
- Numerical analysis and modeling of experimental space science data (e.g., fluid mechanics, vibrations, etc.).
- Tools for exploitation of space experiments for the scientific community and to enhance data reuse.
3.- Fluid science in microgravity:
- Thermal convection in rotating spherical geometries in microgravity.
- Vibrated fluids: effects of vibrations, forced excitations, surface pattern formation, behavior under reduced gravity.
- Free surface stability, “sloshing” phenomena in microgravity, vibroequilibrium.
- Fluid mechanics for satellites/space vehicles: e.g., internal flows, effect of rotations, inertial forces in microgravity.
4.- Materials science and physical processes in microgravity:
- Solidification and melting of alloys/glasses in microgravity.
- Behavior of suspended particles under microgravity: clustering, agglomeration, particle coarsening. Example: SODI‑COLLOID experiment.
- Foams in microgravity: foam stability (“wet foams” experimentation), absence of drainage in microgravity.
Area members

Ana Laverón
Full Professor

Mª Victoria Lapuerta
Full Professor

Pablo Salgado
Permanent Academic Professor

José Miguel Ezquerro
Contracted Doctoral Professor

José Javier Fernández
Contracted Doctoral Professor

Jeffrey B. Porter
Contracted Doctoral Professor

Dan Cristian Gligor
Assistant Professor (PhD)

Úrsula Martínez
Assistant Professor (PhD)

Karl S. Olfe
Assistant Professor (PhD)

Cristian Flores
Doctoral Researcher

Juan Carlos Crespo
Research Fellow

Sergio García-Cuevas
Research Fellow

José Fernando Gómez
Research Fellow

Jaime Gómez
Research Fellow

Héctor González
Research Fellow

Ali Kasiri
Research Fellow

Gian Luca L’Episcopo
Research Fellow

Andrés Pedraza
Research Fellow

Beatriz Rodríguez Prada
Research Fellow

Antonio Rosado
Research Fellow
