The UMD Space Power and Propulsion Lab (SPPL), is dedicated to the research and development of power generation, conversion and propulsion technologies applicable to the exploration of space. Research topics within these areas are broad in scope, encompassing experimental, analytic and computational approaches, and technology readiness levels range from fundamental research to flight hardware development.

The laboratory has six vacuum facilities and a broad array of plasma generation capabilities and diagnostic instrumentation.  It is currently located in a newly renovated 900 sq. ft. space on the second floor of the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel Building.