To inspire the next generation of explorers, ...as only NASA can.

About Us - History

Congress initiated the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program with the passage on October 30, 1987, of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act. The Act - Public Law 100-147 - included such objectives as assuring the vitality of the Nation and the quality of life through the understanding, assessment, development and utilization of space resources.

NASA selected the Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC) in 1989. The COSGC is headquartered at the University of Colorado at Boulder and consists of 12 Colorado colleges and universities and one foundation.

Since 1989, over 2,000 students have been directly involved in our hands-on satellite programs. We have launched three sounding rocket (CSOAR, CSHARP, HOMER), three Space Shuttle payloads (ESCAPE, ESCAPE-II, and DATA-CHASER), two orbiting satellites (3CornerSat), and over 200 BalloonSats. Many of these students are now working for NASA and the industry that supports NASA. Students have also developed several satellite missions that are awaiting launches. These include DINO and Citizen Explorer.

Many of our students have participated in the many telescope programs on our member campuses.

Recently, DemoSat I and DemoSat II and C-SMARTS have been completed. These were state-wide COSGC projects. The DemoSat program demonstrated over 15 NASA technologies and ideas on high altitude balloons. C-SMARTS was course simultaneously taught on four campuses in Colorado using interactive DVDs and hands-on curriculum. Both of these projects are continuing and more information can be found in the programs section of the website.

COSGC is always looking for new programs to create new opportunities for our students.