Triton Astronautical Research Systems (TARS) is a student-led organization at UC San Diego that aims to advance space research through design, applied research, and collaboration. TARS brings together students from different backgrounds to work on aerospace and satellite systems that create impact. 

Our operations directly mirror professional aeronautical organizational practices: subteams work with technical leads, documentation requirements, testing processes, and project management. All members gain practical experience while contributing to important research. 

Mission:

The Triton Aeronautics Research Systems Group was founded with the mission to empower UC San Diego students from all disciplines to engineer spacecraft that advance the frontiers of space exploration. We aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with hands-on project based experiences with spacecraft and satellite engineering.

Our History:

TARS was founded by UC San Diego students who saw a gap between classroom theory and practical application. From the beginning, we have focused on creating multi-year projects instead of short-term creations. 

Our Milestones Include:

Scientific Objective Selection
TARS has selected its inaugural scientific objective, focusing on weather and climate imaging of California wildfires. This objective guides the organization’s initial research direction and aims to improve understanding and prediction of wildfire-related weather events through space-based data.

Club-Wide Training Initiatives
The organization has rolled out both general and subteam-specific training programs for all members. These initiatives emphasize technical compmetency, professional development, and hands-on learning through lectures, workshops, and guided build sessions.

Industry Partnerships
TARS has entered into an industry partnership with Ansys and has begun cultivating relationships within the broader aerospace sector to support simulation, design validation, and long-term collaboration.

Project Space & Storage
The ECE Makerspace and EnVision Director Colin Zyskowski have generously agreed to provide project storage space, enabling sustained hardware development and organized project operations.

Code of Conduct Development
A draft code of conduct has been completed to guide member behavior, decision-making, and organizational culture. This document serves as a foundational step toward the creation of a formal club constitution.

Faculty Support & Funding
TARS has received initial faculty support, including a $500 contribution from an ECE professor to be used for material purchases, reinforcing the organization’s academic alignment and research credibility.

These milestones reflect TARS’s commitment to building a durable, well-structured organization capable of supporting long-term aerospace research.

Faculty Advisors:

TARS is supported by faculty advisors from UC San Diego that provide technical guidance, mentorship, and institutional support. They help ensure that TARS meets deadlines and reaches academic and professional standards, while also allowing for students to maintain agency over design and project decisions. 

(Advisors here)

University Affiliation:

TARS is a student organization registered with the University of California, San Diego. While student‑run, the group operates in alignment with university policies and benefits from UCSD’s academic environment, research culture, and engineering resources.

Our Values

Research
We prioritize analytical rigor, testing, and documentation. TARS projects are grounded in sound theory and validated through simulation, prototyping, and review.

Innovation
Members are encouraged to explore novel solutions, emerging technologies, and unconventional approaches to aerospace challenges while maintaining engineering discipline.

Collaboration
Space systems are inherently interdisciplinary. We value teamwork across technical backgrounds, clear communication, and mentorship between experienced and new members.