![ACE Satellite orbiting the sun](/sites/default/files/2024-03/IMG-Mission-ACE.jpg)
ACE
A heliophysics observatory, the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) provides early warning of geomagnetic storms that can overload power grids, disrupt communications on Earth, and present a hazard to astronauts.
![Robotics researchers Craig Knuth and Adam Polevoy test machine learning algorithms for estimating traversable regions in complex environments. Such algorithms are necessary to enable robotic systems to autonomously traverse complex terrain.](/sites/default/files/2023-10/Project-Agile-Intelligent-Robots.jpg)
Agile and Intelligent Robots
Developing novel controls for robotic systems operating safely in complex environments.
![AlphaDogfight](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Project-Alphadogfight.jpg)
AlphaDogfight Trials
APL served as a core member of the Air Combat Evolution program team created by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the 2020 AlphaDogfight Trials, a showdown between eight AI research teams from across the United States.
![APL is developing environmental risk assessment tools that can be readily integrated into the Nett Warrior combat situational awareness platform. (U.S. Army)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Army_Environmental_Health_Research.jpg)
Army Environmental Health Research
APL and the U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research are developing capabilities to detect, assess, and prevent effects from exposure to toxic materials—focusing especially on ways to prevent acute and chronic health effects through new biological technologies.
![ISC researchers Elizabeth Reilly and Jason Lee apply mathematical models to understand how different shocks impact food security.](/sites/default/files/2023-10/Project-AI-Climate.jpg)
Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action
Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and mathematics to spur innovation and novel solutions to challenges at the intersection of climate change and national security.
![Balloon program engineers working outside](/sites/default/files/2024-03/IMG-Mission-Balloon-Programs.jpg)
Balloon Programs
APL balloon missions and instruments observe planetary targets and the interstellar medium, and conduct other space science investigations.
![Abstract representation of data analysis (Credit: Bigstock)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Data-Analytics_Bigstock_0.jpg)
Better Options for Data Analytics
The open-architecture tool we developed for U.S. Special Operations Command’s Science and Technology Directorate limits dependence on a single vendor and enables the command to evaluate data analysis and visualization tools against defined data and interfaces.
![Johns Hopkins APL's Rotating Drum System](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Biological-Threat-Analysis.jpg)
Biological Threat Analysis
APL is developing innovative ways to evaluate biological threats in a natural environment.
![Image of Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) flight hardware](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_BOLT.jpg)
Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT)
Hypersonic vehicles move fast—faster than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5. Being able to pinpoint whether the air is laminar (moving in a smooth, straight line) or has transitioned to turbulent (swirling in eddies, with up to eight times the heat transfer) is critical for determining what materials to use when designing hypersonic aircraft and missiles.
![Climate Security](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Climate_Security_Cropped.jpg)
Climate Security
Climate change is reshaping nearly every aspect of life on our planet, with significant implications for national security. APL is bringing all of its core competencies to bear on this critical challenge area, exploring strategic opportunities to make the greatest impact on climate change.
![APL analyses have identified, quantified, and prioritized opportunities to address time-critical targets across multiple domains.](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Anti-Access.jpg)
Countering Anti-Access, Area-Denial Threats
APL is an established, critical partner of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office, which provides lower-cost, strategic alternatives for shaping and countering emerging threats.
![Water treatment facility](/sites/default/files/2023-01/20210519_image1_lg.jpg)
Cyber Defense for Industrial Control Systems
APL is leading the development of the first-ever comprehensive, integrated, and automated solution for industrial control system cybersecurity.
![DARC Satellite](/sites/default/files/2024-03/IMG-Mission-DARC.jpg)
DARC Demonstration
The APL designed, developed, and tested Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) helped solve the challenge of locating and tracking active satellites in and on the way to geosynchronous orbit, more than 22,000 miles above Earth.
![DART impact](/sites/default/files/2024-03/IMG-Mission-DART.jpg)
DART
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was NASA’s first planetary defense test mission.
![USS Ronald Reagan (Credit: US Navy / Jason Tarleton)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Deployed_Fleet_210522-N-RF825-1010.jpg)
Deployed with the Fleet
In 2017, APL staff members deployed on U.S. Navy Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF-70) patrols aboard the carrier USS Ronald Reagan—an assignment that allowed our engineers to experience the fleet’s challenges and operational workflows, and gather important data to feed future analyses and technology demonstrations in operationally relevant environments.