Draper Laboratory facts for kids
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| Independent, non-profit corporation | |
| Industry | Defense Space Biomedical Energy |
| Founded | MIT Confidential Instrument Development Laboratory (1932) The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. (1973) |
| Headquarters | 555 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139-3563 |
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Number of locations
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4 |
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Key people
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Dr. Jerry M. Wohletz, President and CEO (2022–) |
| Revenue | $672.2 million (fiscal year 2020) |
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Number of employees
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1,700 |
Draper Laboratory is a special kind of company in America. It is a non-profit group that does research and development. This means they don't work to make money for owners. Instead, they use their money to do more research. Their main office is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The full name is The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. People sometimes call it CSDL.
Draper Laboratory creates advanced technology. They solve big problems for national security, space travel, health care, and energy.
The lab started in 1932. It was founded by Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Back then, it was called the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. Its first job was to make tools for airplanes. During this time, they created the Apollo Guidance Computer. This was the first computer to use silicon integrated circuits. It helped guide the Apollo missions to the Moon. In 1970, the lab was renamed after its founder. Then, in 1973, it became a separate, non-profit organization.
The people who work at Draper are experts in many fields. These include guidance, navigation, and control systems. They also work on computers that can handle errors. They create advanced computer programs and models. They even work with tiny machines called microelectromechanical systems.
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History of Draper Laboratory
In 1932, Charles Stark Draper, a professor at MIT, started a lab. It was a teaching lab to create tools for planes. These tools helped planes track, control, and navigate. During World War II, Draper's lab was called the Confidential Instrument Development Laboratory. Later, its name changed to the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory or I-Lab.
In 1970, the lab was renamed after its founder, Charles Stark Draper. It stayed part of MIT until 1973. Then, it became an independent, non-profit research group. This change happened because of pressure at the time. Some people wanted MIT labs doing military research to separate from the university. This was during the Vietnam War, even though Draper Lab was not involved in that war.
After leaving MIT, the lab moved to different buildings. Later, a large new building was built at 555 Technology Square. This building opened in 1976. It was later renamed the "Robert A. Duffy Building."
In 1984, another new building opened. It was connected to the main building by a special bridge. But in 1989, Draper Lab had to cut its staff in half. This was because of cuts in defense funding. To deal with this, Draper started working on new areas. These included space exploration, energy, medicine, and robotics. They also took on more non-government work. Within ten years, they grew back to 1,400 employees.
In 2017, an outdoor area between the buildings was turned into a large indoor space. This new area helps with security and has places for visitors and employees. It has a "green wall" with plants and lots of seating.
Throughout its history, Draper Lab has focused on guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) technologies. They have helped the US Department of Defense and NASA. One of their biggest achievements is the Apollo Guidance Computer. This system safely guided the Apollo astronauts to the Moon and back. Important people like Margaret Hamilton and Don Eyles worked on the Apollo project.
The lab also helped create systems for planes, submarines, and missiles. These systems use inertial sensors and software. They are crucial for submarines to navigate underwater for long times without being found. They also guide missiles to their targets.
Where Draper Laboratory Works
Draper has offices in several cities across the United States:
- Cambridge, Massachusetts (This is their main office)
- Houston, Texas (at NASA Johnson Space Center and another office)
- Reston, Virginia (Reston Campus)
- Odon, Indiana (Odon Campus)
- Washington, DC (Washington Navy Yard)
- Huntsville, Alabama (at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and another office)
- St. Petersburg, Florida (Rapid Prototyping Facility and 16th Street Facility)
- Pittsfield, Massachusetts (US Navy Integrated Repair Facility)
- Cape Canaveral, Florida (US Navy Trident Guidance Program Technical Support Facility)
What Draper Laboratory Does
Draper Laboratory uses its knowledge in many areas. They work on robots that can move on their own in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. They also work on combining information, tiny sensors, and smart weapons. Other areas include biomedical engineering, defense against chemicals and germs, and managing energy systems. Sometimes, Draper works with other companies to turn their technology into products for everyone.
The lab has seven main areas of special knowledge:
- Strategic Systems: They use their guidance and navigation skills for GPS-aided tools. They also work on submarine navigation and keeping important weapons safe.
- Space Systems: Draper helps NASA develop technology for exploring planets. They create guidance systems and powerful science tools. They also work on space security.
- Tactical Systems: This involves creating systems for watching the seas and finding targets. They make small weapons guidance systems and guided delivery systems. They also work on tools for soldiers and secure electronics.
- Special Programs: This area develops new ideas, builds early versions of systems, and supports them in the field. These programs connect with the other technical areas.
- Biomedical Systems: They use tiny machines (MEMS) and tiny fluid systems for medical technology. They also create small, smart medical devices.
- Air Warfare and ISR: This involves using intelligence technology to find and plan attacks on targets.
- Energy Solutions: They help manage how well energy systems work. This includes power plants and even the International Space Station.
Cool Projects at Draper Laboratory
Draper Laboratory is known for its work in inertial navigation. This is a way to guide something without needing outside signals. More recently, they have focused on new ways to navigate in space. They also work on smart systems that use sensors and computers to make decisions. Another exciting area is tiny medical devices.
In 2010, Draper Laboratory and MIT worked together with other groups. They formed the Next Giant Leap team. They won a grant to try and win the Google Lunar X Prize. This prize was for sending the first privately funded robot to the Moon. The robot needed to travel 500 meters on the Moon and send back videos and pictures. The team built a special simulator. It helped them practice operations in space. It used Draper Laboratory's guidance and navigation program for low gravity.
In 2012, engineers at Draper Laboratory in Houston found a new way to turn the International Space Station. They called it the "optimal propellant maneuver." This new method saved 94 percent of the fuel compared to old ways. The computer program considers everything that affects how the station moves. This includes its thrusters, gravity, and spinning forces.
Around 2013, Draper was developing a special suit for astronauts in space. This suit uses small spinning devices called Controlled Moment Gyros (CMGs). These CMGs create resistance to an astronaut's movements. This helps stop bone loss and keeps muscles strong during long space flights. The suit is called the V2Suit. It also helps with balance by creating an artificial sense of "down." Each CMG is about the size of a deck of cards. Astronauts could wear this suit before landing or during long missions.
Also in 2013, a team from Draper, MIT, and NASA worked on a spacesuit with CMGs. This suit would improve NASA's "Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue" (SAFER) system. SAFER is a jetpack for astronauts who accidentally float away from their spacecraft. The CMG suit would give astronauts better counterforce. On Earth, gravity provides counterforce when you use tools. In space, without it, pushing on something could send an astronaut spinning. CMGs would offer a way to get this counterforce without needing to be attached to anything.
Lunar Payloads
On November 29, 2018, NASA chose Draper Laboratory as a contractor for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). This means Draper can bid to deliver science and technology tools to the Moon for NASA. Draper Lab suggested a lunar lander called Artemis-7. The number 7 means it would be the 7th lunar lander mission Draper Laboratory has been involved in. The first six were the Apollo lunar landings. The lander design comes from a Japanese company called ispace. They are working with Draper on this project. Other partners include General Atomics, which will build the lander. Spaceflight Industries will help launch it. As of September 2023, Draper and ispace are developing a lunar lander called APEX 1.0. It aims to deliver CLPS payloads to the Moon in 2026.
Smart Systems
Draper researchers are creating artificial intelligence systems. These systems help robots learn from their mistakes. This work helps the Army's Future Combat System. For example, a robot under fire could learn that a road is dangerous. Then, it could find a safer path. It could also recognize its fuel level and damage.
Around 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security funded Draper Laboratory. They wanted to develop technology to find possible terrorists. This system uses cameras and sensors to watch how people act. The project is called Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST). It would be used at security checkpoints. It helps decide who needs more screening. The system is designed to tell the difference between bad intentions and simple stress.
Around 2010, Neil Adams from Draper Laboratory led a project for DARPA. It was called the Nano Aerial Vehicle (NAV) program. This program makes tiny flying spy platforms. Draper helps manage the vehicle, communications, and ground control systems. This allows NAVs to fly on their own and carry sensors for missions. These tiny vehicles must work in cities where GPS signals are weak. They rely on vision-based sensors instead.
Medical Systems
In 2009, Draper worked with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. They developed a device that can deliver medicine inside the body. This device combines tiny machines (microelectromechanical systems) with microfluidics. Microfluidics is about controlling tiny amounts of fluids very precisely. The device is a flexible machine filled with fluid. It uses tubes that expand and contract to move fluid. This happens in a steady rhythm, controlled by a tiny pump. The system might help treat hearing loss. It could deliver tiny amounts of medicine to a delicate part of the ear. This could help sensory cells regrow and restore hearing.
Around 2010, Heather Clark at Draper Laboratory worked on a new way to measure blood glucose. This method does not need finger-pricking. It uses a tiny sensor, like a small tattoo, only a few millimeters wide. Patients put it on their skin. The sensor uses light to find out glucose levels. Usually, people with diabetes must prick their finger several times a day. They use a drop of blood to measure their glucose. This new nano-sensor could replace that process.
Amazing Innovations from Draper Laboratory
Draper Laboratory staff have created many new navigation systems. These systems use inertial guidance and digital computers. They help calculate exact positions.
- Mark 14 Gunsight (1942): This improved how accurately anti-aircraft guns hit targets during WWII.
- Space Inertial Reference Equipment (SPIRE) (1953): This was an autonomous navigation system for aircraft. The lab showed it worked in flight tests.
- The Laning and Zierler system (1954): Also called "George," this was an early computer program that could solve math problems.
- Q-guidance: A special way to guide missiles.
- Apollo Guidance Computer: The first computer used in space to navigate on its own. It used new integrated circuit technology.
- Digital fly-by-wire: A control system that lets a pilot control an aircraft without mechanical connections.
- Fault-tolerant Computing: This uses several computers to work on a task at the same time. If one computer fails, the others can take over. This is very important for safety in aircraft.
- Micro-electromechanical (MEMS) technologies: Tiny mechanical systems. They helped create the first tiny gyroscope.
- Autonomous systems algorithms: Computer programs that let spacecraft meet and connect on their own. Also, systems for underwater vehicles.
- GPS combined with inertial navigation system: This allows continuous navigation. It works even when a vehicle goes into an area where GPS signals are blocked.
Draper Laboratory's Outreach Programs
Draper Laboratory helps develop new talent. They also recognize technical achievements. They do this through educational programs and public displays. They also support the Charles Stark Draper Prize. This is one of the top engineering awards in the US.
Exhibitions
Sometimes, Draper Laboratory hosts free events and exhibitions for the public. These are held in special areas at their main building. For example, in 2019, Draper held Hack the Moon. This celebrated 50 years since the first Apollo Moon landing on July 20, 1969. The exhibition showed items like the Apollo Guidance Computer hardware. It also featured the mission software. This software was created by Draper staff like Don Eyles, Margaret Hamilton, and Hal Laning. Visitors could practice landing the Apollo Lunar Module on a computer simulator. Then, they could try to land while riding in a full-sized motion simulator. This was like the one astronauts used to practice. Talks by Draper staff and concerts were also part of the fun. A special Hack the Moon website was made to remember the event.
Other exhibitions have shown different research projects at Draper. They also give information about job opportunities. All visitors must go through a security scanner. This is like those used at airports. But you don't need special security clearance to visit the public areas.
Technical Education
The Draper Fellow Program supports about 50 graduate students each year. These students are trained to become leaders in government, military, industry, and education. The lab also supports research at universities. They offer jobs and internships for college students.
Draper Laboratory also has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program for kids from kindergarten to high school. This program started in 1984. Each year, the lab gives over $175,000 through its community programs. This money supports internships, science festivals, tours, and speakers.
As of 2021, Draper Laboratory also sponsors Draper Spark!Lab. This is at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. It is a hands-on invention space run by the Smithsonian Institution. It is free for all visitors. It focuses on educational activities for children aged 6 to 12.
Draper Prize
The company also funds the Charles Stark Draper Prize. The National Academy of Engineering manages this award. It is given to recognize amazing engineering achievements. These achievements must have brought important benefits and improved human well-being. The prize is $500,000.
See also
In Spanish: Laboratorio Draper para niños
- List of United States college laboratories conducting basic defense research
