Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory in 2026: Palo Alto research, missions, and careers
Deep inside Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California, a team of scientists and engineers studies the Sun. The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) is one of the most unusual units within the world's largest defense contractor: a pure research laboratory that designs, builds, and operates space-based solar instruments, publishes peer-reviewed science, and collaborates with NASA and international space agencies on missions that advance our understanding of solar physics.
If you are a physicist, astrophysicist, or instrument engineer looking for a career that combines cutting-edge science with the stability of a major corporation, LMSAL is one of the most compelling options in the country. Here is what the lab does, what it is working on in 2026, and how to build a career there.
What is LMSAL?
The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory is a department within the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC), the company's research and development arm based in Palo Alto, California. LMSAL has been operating since the 1960s and focuses on three core activities:
Instrument design and development: LMSAL designs and builds space-based solar instruments, including imaging spectrographs, extreme ultraviolet telescopes, and coronal spectrometers. These instruments fly aboard NASA missions and observe the Sun across multiple wavelengths.
Mission operations: LMSAL operates instruments aboard active missions, managing data collection, instrument calibration, and mission planning. The lab runs the Joint Science Operations Center (JSOC) jointly with Stanford University, which serves data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory to researchers worldwide.
Scientific research: LMSAL scientists conduct original research in solar physics, space weather, stellar astrophysics, and heliophysics. The lab publishes regularly in journals like The Astrophysical Journal, Solar Physics, and Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Current and upcoming missions
LMSAL is involved in several active and upcoming heliophysics missions:
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) / AIA
Launched in 2010, the Solar Dynamics Observatory continues to operate in 2026, providing continuous full-disk observations of the Sun. LMSAL leads the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), which captures images of the solar chromosphere and corona in seven extreme ultraviolet channels at 12-second cadence with 4096 by 4096 pixel resolution. AIA produces some of the most visually stunning images of the Sun available to science.
LMSAL jointly operates the Joint Science Operations Center with Stanford University, serving all SDO data to the worldwide scientific community and the public.
Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)
IRIS is a NASA Small Explorer mission launched in 2013 that observes the solar chromosphere and transition region, the interface between the Sun's visible surface and its hot corona. LMSAL leads the IRIS mission, which has provided unprecedented views of how energy and material flow through the solar atmosphere.
Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE)
MUSE is the first medium-class NASA Explorer mission focused on the Sun, targeted for launch no earlier than July 2027. Led by LMSAL, MUSE will use a novel multi-slit design to simultaneously observe the solar atmosphere across a wide area, providing three-dimensional information about coronal heating, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
The MUSE mission represents a significant new capability and is driving active hiring at LMSAL for scientists and engineers who will build, test, and operate the instrument.
Extreme Ultraviolet Solar Telescope (EUVST)
EUVST is an international mission led by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) with significant contributions from LMSAL. The mission will observe the Sun's atmosphere at higher spectral resolution than any previous instrument, helping to understand how the solar corona is heated to millions of degrees.
| Mission | Status | LMSAL Role | Key Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDO/AIA | Operating (since 2010) | PI institution, JSOC ops | Atmospheric Imaging Assembly |
| IRIS | Operating (since 2013) | PI institution, mission ops | UV Spectrograph |
| MUSE | Development (launch ~2027) | PI institution, instrument build | Multi-slit EUV spectrograph |
| EUVST | Development | Instrument contributor | EUV High-Resolution Spectrograph |
Roles and career paths at LMSAL
LMSAL employs a mix of research scientists, instrument engineers, software developers, and mission operations staff. The lab is small compared to major Lockheed Martin programs, typically employing 30 to 60 people directly, with additional support from ATC engineering staff.
Research Scientist
The core scientific staff at LMSAL. Research scientists conduct original research, lead or contribute to mission science, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. A recent job posting for a Solar Physics Research Scientist at LMSAL described the role as supporting existing science missions and conducting research using heliophysics mission datasets.
Requirements typically include:
- PhD in solar physics, astrophysics, space physics, or a related field
- Publication record in relevant journals
- Experience with solar observation data analysis
- Familiarity with missions like SDO, IRIS, or Solar Orbiter
Salary range: $110,000 to $200,000 depending on experience and seniority. Palo Alto is one of the highest cost-of-living areas in the country, and salaries reflect this.
Instrument Engineer
Engineers who design, build, test, and calibrate the optical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical systems within LMSAL's solar instruments. This includes EUV optics, detector systems, thermal control, and mechanical structures for space-qualified hardware.
Key skills: Optical engineering, vacuum UV optics, space environment testing, clean room experience, thermal analysis, and knowledge of space instrument standards.
Salary range: $105,000 to $185,000 depending on experience.
Software Engineer / Data Pipeline Developer
LMSAL maintains data pipelines that process, calibrate, and distribute solar observation data to the global research community. Software engineers work on data processing systems, visualization tools, and science analysis software.
Key skills: Python (SunPy ecosystem), IDL, C/C++, data pipeline architecture, scientific computing
Salary range: $100,000 to $175,000.
Mission Operations
Operations staff manage the day-to-day commanding of instruments aboard active missions, monitor instrument health, plan observations, and coordinate with mission partners.
Salary range: $85,000 to $145,000.
LMSAL outreach and community engagement
LMSAL runs outreach programs that can serve as entry points for students:
MUSE Outreach Program: In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, LMSAL created a 10-week high school internship program piloted during Fall 2025. This program directly connects students with solar science and engineering.
Conference presentations and publications: LMSAL scientists regularly present at AGU (American Geophysical Union), AAS Solar Physics Division meetings, and other conferences. Attending these events and engaging with LMSAL researchers is the best way to learn about potential positions.
Open data: All SDO/AIA and IRIS data are freely available through the JSOC at Stanford. Researchers and students worldwide can access and analyze the data, publish results, and build collaborations with LMSAL.
Living in Palo Alto
Palo Alto sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, and the cost of living reflects this:
| Factor | Palo Alto | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $3.2M+ | $400K |
| 1BR rent | $2,800–$3,500 | $1,100 |
| Cost index | 210+ | 100 |
| Climate | Mediterranean | Varies |
The cost of living in Palo Alto is among the highest in the country. A research scientist earning $150,000 will find that salary stretched thin by housing costs. Many LMSAL employees live in more affordable surrounding communities like Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara, or San Jose and commute to the ATC.
The trade-off is access to one of the world's most dynamic technology ecosystems, excellent weather, cultural amenities, and the intellectual community of Stanford University and the broader Bay Area.
Comparison with other solar physics careers
| Employer | Type | Salary Range | Location | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMSAL | Corporate R&D | $110K–$200K | Palo Alto, CA | Stability, mission access, competitive pay |
| NASA GSFC | Government | $90K–$165K (GS) | Greenbelt, MD | Federal benefits, mission access |
| NCAR/HAO | Federally funded | $85K–$150K | Boulder, CO | Academic freedom, lower cost |
| University faculty | Academic | $80K–$160K | Varies | Tenure, students, teaching |
| ESA/ESO | International | $70K–$140K | Europe | International missions |
LMSAL offers the highest salary range among solar physics employers, partly due to the Palo Alto location. The trade-off compared to academia is less freedom to define your own research agenda, though LMSAL scientists report significant autonomy within mission-related research.
Bottom line
The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory is a small but prestigious research unit that combines solar physics research with space instrument development. Located at the Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, LMSAL leads or contributes to missions including SDO/AIA, IRIS, and the upcoming MUSE and EUVST missions. Research scientist salaries range from $110,000 to $200,000, reflecting the Palo Alto cost of living. Positions are rare and specialized, making early career relationship-building through conferences and data collaboration essential for breaking in.
Browse Lockheed Martin research openings on Zero G Talent. Related content: Lockheed Martin Littleton Space HQ, Lockheed Martin salary guide, and Maxar/Vantor Denver careers.
Frequently asked questions
What does LMSAL do?
The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) designs, builds, and operates space-based solar instruments for NASA missions. The lab also conducts original research in solar physics and heliophysics, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
Where is LMSAL located?
LMSAL is part of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California. The facility is in the heart of Silicon Valley, near Stanford University.
What missions does LMSAL work on?
LMSAL leads instruments on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (AIA), the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and the upcoming Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE, launching no earlier than July 2027). The lab also contributes to the JAXA-led EUVST mission.
How do I get a job at LMSAL?
Most LMSAL research scientist positions require a PhD in solar physics, astrophysics, or a related field, along with a publication record. Build visibility by presenting at conferences (AGU, AAS/SPD), collaborating on research using publicly available SDO and IRIS data, and watching for postings on lockheedmartinjobs.com filtered for Palo Alto.
What is the salary at LMSAL?
Research scientists at LMSAL earn $110,000 to $200,000 depending on experience. Instrument engineers earn $105,000 to $185,000. Software engineers earn $100,000 to $175,000. These salaries reflect the very high cost of living in Palo Alto, California.
