We solve complex research, engineering, and analytical problems that present critical challenges to our nation. APL—the nation’s largest university affiliated research center—provides U.S. government agencies with deep expertise in specialized fields to support national priorities and technology development programs. We also serve as independent trusted technical agents to the government, providing continuity for highly complex, multigenerational technology development systems.
Our purpose is to make critical contributions to critical challenges. At APL, we feel it is our responsibility to try to solve these national challenges with the full measure of our dedication and expertise.
The Lab’s core values are unquestionable integrity, trusted service to the nation, world-class expertise, and game-changing impact—all in an environment that is collaborative, fulfilling (and even fun!).
APL’s purpose and core values guide our future, and it is no less than to create defining innovations that ensure our nation’s preeminence in the 21st century.
January 21, 2020
Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono, who led the Defense Health Agency and Navy Medical Corps, has joined Johns Hopkins APL as a Senior Fellow. She and the Laboratory’s other Senior Fellows will help guide development of APL’s capabilities toward solving our nation’s most pressing challenges.
January 15, 2020
Ralph Lorenz, a planetary scientist and aerospace engineer from APL, has received an Atmospheric Science Librarians International Choice Award for his book chronicling the history of planetary climate research.
January 14, 2020
Scientists have studied the solar wind for more than 60 years, but they’re still puzzled over some of its behaviors. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe — designed and built by APL — hears the small chirps, squeaks and rustles that hint at the origin of this mysterious and ever-present wind. And now the Parker Solar Probe team is getting their first chance to hear them, too.
December 17, 2019
The Laboratory recently began its transition as the new leader of the technical direction agent (TDA) activity for the Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program.
December 5, 2019
In August, Zachary Burchfield represented APL in a 42-day excursion aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy for the Office of Naval Research’s Stratified Ocean Dynamics of the Arctic (SODA) initiative.
December 4, 2019
In August 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe — designed, built and managed by Johns Hopkins APL — launched to space, soon becoming the closest-ever spacecraft to the Sun. Now, four new papers in the journal Nature describe what scientists have learned from this unprecedented exploration of our star — and what they look forward to learning next.
November 26, 2019
Researchers at APL have demonstrated a novel and groundbreaking way to additively print gallium nitride — a material that can be used to produce semiconductor power devices as well as radio-frequency components and light-emitting diodes — using a combination of liquid and gas.
November 15, 2019
Patrick Stadter, a program area manager with Johns Hopkins APL, has earned the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Award for Exceptional Public Service, the highest such honor presented to a civilian by the Air Force.
November 13, 2019
Parker Solar Probe has been awarded the NASA Silver Achievement Medal in recognition of its “stellar achievement” as humanity’ first mission to explore the Sun’s corona and the solar wind within the extreme environment around our star.
November 13, 2019
Andy Driesman of APL’s Civil Space Mission Area was awarded NASA’s Outstanding Public Leadership Medal for his role as project manager on Parker Solar Probe, NASA’s mission to “touch” the Sun.
November 13, 2019
Admiral John M. Richardson, former Chief of Naval Operations, has joined Johns Hopkins APL as a Senior Fellow. He and the Laboratory’s other Senior Fellows will help guide development of APL’s capabilities toward solving our nation’s most pressing challenges.
November 11, 2019
What began as a curious idea in his basement has morphed into a global force for good. Wayne Pavalko’s homemade buoys are now part of a system used by The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization developing advanced technologies to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
