Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is an independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and inspiring people through our involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to our future in space.
SEDS was founded in 1980 at MIT and Princeton and consists of an international group of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from a diverse range of educational backgrounds who are working to promote space as a whole. SEDS is a chapter-based organization with chapters throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The permanent National Headquarters for SEDS-USA resides at MIT.
Caltech SEDS is an SEDS chapter based at the California Institute of Technology. We seek to increase awareness and inspire interest in the Caltech student population of current developments and technology in both manned and unmanned space exploration, and to support a network of interested students by providing a framework through which they can be actively involved in space exploration.