Welcome, Ray Jayawardhana, to Caltech! 🛰️🌎🚀🌌🪐

Participants from the KISS "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration” study are planning a follow on IROS workshop on Robotic One-Shot Exploration from Deep Ocean to Deep Space! The call for contributions is now open - submit by July 27: sites.google.com/view/iros-20...

Introducing KISS, featuring our new director, Mike Watkins! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5h... Watch our new trailer to learn what we're all about, then dive deeper: 📄 Reports & study findings: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report... 🎥 Lecture recordings: www.youtube.com/user/KISSCal...

Congratulations to the KISS Affiliates Class of 2026! 🎓✨ Today, we celebrate your hard work, perseverance, and the bright futures ahead of you. We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make! To learn more about the affiliates, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/affiliates.h...

We're thrilled to share the newly published KISS Final Report, Exploring Exoplanets with Interferometry! Could next generation space interferometers help us find signs of life beyond Earth? This report explores how! Read the full report: bit.ly/exploring-ex...

It was fantastic to reconnect for a second study week with the “Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics” study participants! Learn more about this study on our website: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is pleased to announce updates to the KISS Steering Committee. Chaired by KISS Director, Mike Watkins, the 11 members of the Steering Committee provide guidance and expertise on KISS activities. www.kiss.caltech.edu/impact/2026_...

The Red Planet has inspired us for generations. Hear from our invited speakers Bonnie Teece (@cornelluniversity.bsky.social) and Brandi Carrier (@nasajpl.bsky.social) as they discussed Mars through the Ages. Available now on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=elun...

🚀 We're hiring a paid summer intern at KISS! Hands-on role in event support, impact analysis & website migration. Undergrad/grad students based in LA or able to work in Pasadena this summer. Looking to hire ASAP: phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf03/ats/ca... See KISS in action: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO5h...

Last Thursday, @kiss-caltech.bsky.social hosted its annual Caltech-JPL Mixer at the Keck Center. The collaborative spirit was in full force as both communities gathered to explore options for diverse joint research programs in the fields of Earth and Space Science, and Technology.

The recording from the KISS panel at Ascend 2026 is available online. Thank you to our panelists including Evgenya Shkolnik, Jim Green, Charles Norton & Jon Arenberg for joining us for this incredible discussion on interdisciplinary collaboration. www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46a...

Last week KISS participants presented key findings from the recent “One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems” study at both AIAA Ascend and #AbSciCon26 - showcasing the value of software-defined, capability-driven missions for deep space science.

Great work by @kiss-caltech.bsky.social co-lead Jessica Weber presenting the "Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics" study at #AbSciCon, and also to see participants reconnecting ahead of Workshop 2 in June! Read more on the study: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Grateful for an incredible panel at Ascend 2026 with Evgenya Shkolnik, Jim Green, Charles Norton & Jon Arenberg. A key takeaway? Interdisciplinary collaboration makes ideas stronger, and the space sector needs more of these conversations. 🚀 #SpaceScience #ascendspace

Multiple KISS studies are presenting their work at AbSciCon including "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems" (kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...) and "Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics" (kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...)!

The latest KISS newsletter is available, including updates on: 📆 Upcoming KISS Events - panels and lecture 🪐 2026 KISS study programs 👩‍🚀 KISS Impact - papers and presentations 🚀 Recent KISS activities - Yuri’s Night, recent talks, annual report Read it in full: mailchi.mp/kiss.caltech...

@kiss-caltech.bsky.social is leading a panel on interdisciplinary collaboration for advancing space science, exploration, and technology at ASCEND 2026. Join us from 1:30 -2:15pm on Wed May 20 at the International Ballroom to hear from our invited panelists and Executive Director!

Learn more about the Red Planet at "Mars through the Ages", a talk presented by invited speakers Bonnie Teece (@cornelluniversity.bsky.social) and Brandi Carrier (@nasajpl.bsky.social)! Location: Sharp Lecture Hall, Caltech Time: Refreshments 4:30pm, Lecture 5:00pm To register: bit.ly/2026_Mars

🚀 Curious about the future of space science? KISS hosts public lectures throughout the year including recent talks by John Mather on hybrid space-ground observatories, and Zac Manchester on building a tiny open-course space program. View past recordings: www.youtube.com/user/KISSCal...

The Keck Institute for Space Studies Annual Overview for 2025 was published in March 2026 and is now available. The overview highlights the impact of KISS through its study programs, symposia, public lectures, and more. To read the report, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report...

The lecture recording from Zac Manchester's (@mit.edu) talk is available on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KV... Watch the video to learn more about the future of low-cost missions and open-source programming. To view past lectures, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/lectures.html

We recently hosted the KISS "One-shot Outer Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Space Systems - Part II" study program. Congratulations to the team! Stay tuned for updates such as the final report and follow-on impact. Visit our website for more: kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Be sure to check out the short course videos from our Hybrid Space-Ground Observatories study program! Hear from the amazing speakers as they discuss the latest technologies and mission concepts that aim to probe the cosmos for Earth-like exoplanets! Watch now: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Excited to hear Dr. Nicky Fox talk about potential mission concepts to move the cutting edge during Ignition,@kiss-caltech.bsky.social has led studies on these topics inc. low-cost standardized space telescopes, rapid response missions, & Uranus science. Read: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_reports.html

Great launch party here @kiss-caltech.bsky.social with our wonderful affiliates as the crew of Artemis II begins their journey to the moon! Congratulations on a successful launch and we look forward to their return after the mission is complete! 🚀🌕

World-class research+world-class [email protected] Astro cover. This supergroup collab between @kiss-caltech.bsky.social & Keith Miller from IPAC’s Science Engagement Lab is a fusion of science and vision. They celebrated by signing their masterpiece.🖊️🔭 www.nature.com/natastron/volumes/10/issues/3

Join us on Wed 4/8 for a talk from Zac Manchester of @mit.edu as he highlights the exciting capabilities of low-cost missions in the era of open-source programming, computation, networking, and autonomy. Register here: bit.ly/2026_Manches... Read more: www.kiss.caltech.edu/lectures/202...

This topic was the subject of a recent KISS study where world-leading scientists and technologists convened at Caltech for in-depth technical discussions to develop these ideas further. Read more on the KISS website and stay tuned for the final report: www.kiss.caltech.edu/workshops/hy...

Congrats KISS study leads Ahmed Soliman & Stuart Shaklan of @nasajpl.bsky.social, John Mather of NASA Goddard, & team whose work on hybrid space-ground observatories is the @natastron.nature.com cover! Thanks Keith Miller @caltechipac.bsky.social for visualizing! Read: www.nature.com/natastron/vo...

Last week, we hosted the KISS "Hybrid Space-Ground Observatories: Revolutionizing the Search for Earth-like Exoplanets" study program. We are inspired by this rockstar team and look forward to sharing updates as they develop. Visit our website for more: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

We are deeply saddened to learn of Yuk Yung’s passing. Yuk has been a dedicated member of the KISS Steering Committee for many years, providing invaluable guidance for our studies. He will be greatly missed KISS, Caltech, & beyond. Learn more about Yuk: www.caltech.edu/about/news/c...

The KISS final report “Tracing Greenhouse Gases: A Blueprint for a Joint Meteorology and Atmospheric Composition Program," was recently highlighted by @Caltech. Visit our website to read the final report: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Join us on Monday, March 9th for the KISS short course "Hybrid Space-Ground Observatories: Revolutionizing the Search for Earth-Like Exoplanets". Registration is not required, seating is first-come first-served. For more information, visit: kiss.caltech.edu/short_course...

🎉 Welcome to the KISS Affiliate Program, Benjamin Breer!🚀 Ben is a EAS graduate student investigating the interaction of turbulence with detonation waves. When he is not conducting research, he enjoys hiking, backpacking, and skiing. To read more: www.kiss.caltech.edu/people/benja...

Join us Wednesday (3/11) as John Mather, Nobel laureate and former Senior Project Scientist of JWST, presents a guest lecture "Revolutionizing Astrophysics: How Space and Ground Telescopes Can Work Together" To register: bit.ly/2026_Mather For more: kiss.caltech.edu/lectures/202...

Recently published paper “Implications of Shallow-Shell Models for Topographic Relaxation on Icy Satellites” acknowledges the KISS study Digital Twins for Solar System Exploration: Enceladus. Read the paper: doi.org/10.1029/2025... Learn about the study: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

The recording of the symposium is now available on YouTube: youtu.be/Qr3SgzPmtVY For more photos from the day and to view slides from the Lightning Round talks, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/symposia/gre...

Together with British Consulate-General in LA, brilliant minds across the Atlantic convened for the UK–US Space Collaboration Symposium! 🌍🚀 We fostered dialogue on joint research, innovation, & future opportunities - thanks @ukspaceagency.bsky.social sky.social, JPL, @caltech.edu for a great event!

A new paper in the Planetary Science Journal acknowledges the benefit of discussions held during a 2023 KISS study. To learn about the KISS study: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm... To read the paper: doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/...

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike M. Watkins as Director. We look forward to shaping the future of space exploration together. www.kiss.caltech.edu/impact/Watki...

Join us in person next Tuesday (Jan 20) for the UK-US Space Collaboration Symposium at @Caltech, an event to highlight existing UK-US space activities and provide inspiration for new missions that will build on this legacy of discovery. Register here: bit.ly/45aLSeQ

The Keck Institute for Space Studies is pleased to announce the 2026 class of KISS Affiliates: www.kiss.caltech.edu/impact/2026_... We will be sharing more about the 2026 cohort over the next few weeks! To learn more about the KISS affiliates program, visit: www.kiss.caltech.edu/affiliates.h...

Acknowledgement was made to the KISS Digital Twins for Solar System Exploration: Enceladus study in the paper "Implications of Shallow-Shell Models for Topographic Relaxation on Icy Satellites"(authors.library.caltech.edu/records/cywx...) Learn about the study: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Congratulations to Dr. Ray Jayawardhana on his appointment as the tenth president of Caltech. We look forward to the new heights that Caltech will achieve under his stewardship! Please join us in welcoming him to this tremendous community. 🛰️🚀🌌

The Galileo at 30 Celebration marked 30 years + 1 day from the spacecraft’s historic orbit insertion. Thank you to our invited experts that spoke during the evening panel "The Continuing Legacy of Galileo at 30". The panel recording is available: youtu.be/vKJtUd5UPIc

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is soliciting proposals for Study Programs to be carried out during the 2026 calendar year. Full proposals are due Friday December 19th. For the full solicitation details, visit: kiss.caltech.edu/proposals.html

Last week, KISS hosted the "Next Frontiers in the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Organics" study program. Congratulations to the team! To view the short course presentations: www.kiss.caltech.edu/short_course... Learn more about the study program: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

The final report for the 2023 KISS study program "Blazing Paths Observing Stellar and Exoplanet Particle Environments" was recently published. To read the report and for more information: Final Report: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report... Study Program: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...

Last week, we hosted the "One Shot Solar System Exploration with Adaptive Optics" study, that exemplified everything we do at @kiss-caltech.bsky.social . A huge credit to the visionary study leaders, engaged participants, and KISS team for an inspiring, insightful, and productive week!

The final report for the 2024 KISS study program "Astronomical Optical Interferometry from the Lunar Surface" was recently published. Final Report: www.kiss.caltech.edu/final_report... Study Program: www.kiss.caltech.edu/programs.htm...