The Grainger College of Engineering

What if satellites could decide which information is most valuable before sending it back to Earth? 🌎🛰️

A team from the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois was selected as one of 10 finalists in NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration ’s Space to Soil Challenge, competing alongside established startups and presenting its solution at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The team developed LOOP, the Lightweight Onboard Observation Pipeline for Small Satellites.

The system uses onboard AI to analyze Earth observation images, identify winter cover crops and determine which data should be captured, stored or transmitted to Earth. By prioritizing the most valuable information, LOOP reduces unnecessary data transmission while working within a CubeSat’s limited power, storage, computing and communication capabilities.

Dibyansh Choudury from Aerospace Engineering at The University of Illinois and Hailey Pohl from Materials Science & Engineering at Illinois Grainger Engineering presented the team’s work at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“Instead of transmitting every image back to Earth, LOOP uses onboard AI models to evaluate the value of the collected data,” Choudury said.



🔗https://aerospace.illinois.edu/news/87498

Campus isn’t the same without you!
See you in two weeks, Grainger engineers! 🧡💙

What if the next generation of space technology was not fully built on Earth, but manufactured directly in orbit? 🛰️

Led by Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois professor Sameh Tawfick, Mission Illinois will test a new way to turn compact raw materials into solid structures in space. The demonstration is part of NOM4D, a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA-sponsored program exploring orbital and moon manufacturing, materials and mass-efficient design.

The work also connects to SpaceMaRS, the Center for In-Space Manufacturing and Resilient Structures, which brings together expertise across aerospace engineering, materials science, chemistry and mechanical design to advance the materials, structures and testing needed for resilient space systems.

From satellites and space stations to telescopes and future commercial space systems, in-space manufacturing could reshape what is possible beyond Earth.

🔗 Learn more about how Grainger engineers are helping create a new blueprint for space technology: https://grainger.illinois.edu/news/stories/mechse-space-mfg

In a new Chicago Tribune Opinion section piece, Grainger Engineering Dean and Vice Chancellor for Chicago Strategic Partnerships Rashid Bashir explores how the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will help the state of Illinois transform groundbreaking research into lasting economic growth.

The first-of-its-kind Chicago campus will bring together universities, national laboratories and industry partners to advance quantum research, commercialization, manufacturing and workforce development.

Through the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, Grainger Engineering and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications are helping build the research infrastructure needed to accelerate quantum-centric computing.

By connecting discovery with commercialization, Illinois can ensure that the technologies, companies, talent and opportunities developed here continue to grow here.

🔗 Learn more about Dean Bashir’s vision for Illinois’ quantum future in his full Chicago Tribune op-ed: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/27/opinion-illinois-quantum-future-keeping-it/

We’ve matched every zodiac sign with a Grainger engineering trait. 👀

Did we get yours right?

Our ESTARs' are the real stars. ⭐

These Engineering Student Admissions Representatives bring Grainger Engineering to life by sharing their experiences, answering questions and welcoming prospective students and families to campus.

A big thank you to our ESTARs for all they do.

Stay connected to what’s happening across the Grainger Engineering community.

Keep your contact information current to receive alumni updates, event invitations, research news and more. Update by August 23, 2026, for a chance to win a Grainger Engineering swag package.

🔗 https://grainger.illinois.edu/alumni/update

From developing AI tools for first responders and designing solutions for space to advocating for nuclear science on Capitol Hill, Grainger engineers are turning ideas into impact. 🚀

Their achievements this past year highlight the breadth of the student experience at Grainger Engineering, from hands-on innovation and research to leadership, mentorship and public service.

See how our students are extending their learning far beyond the classroom: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-like-grainger-engineer-take-look-what-our-students-4egoc