Scientist, Daniel Seitz, works on the Cibola satellite at LANL. Cibola is part of the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program. It was designed to prove that off-the-shelf computer processors called field-programmable gate arrays can be used for supercomputing in space. The processors can be reconfigured while the satellite is in orbit, enabling researchers to modify them for different tasks, such as studying lightning, disturbances in the ionosphere, and radio-frequency sources.

Our mission aligns with national security priorities

1:08

Director McMillan on Leadership

As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, we align our strategic plan with priorities set by the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and key relevant national strategy guidance documents, such as the Nuclear Posture Review, the National Security Strategy, and the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future.

As the senior laboratory in the DOE system, we execute work in all of DOE’s missions: national security, science, energy, and environmental management. Our contributions are part of what makes DOE a science, technology, and engineering powerhouse for the nation.

In addition, we perform work for the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), among others. As a result, our strategy reflects U.S. priorities spanning nuclear security, intelligence, defense, emergency response, nonproliferation,
counterterrorism, energy security, emerging threats, and environmental management.

We focus on integrating research and development solutions to achieve the maximum impact on strategic national security priorities. In addition, through our partnerships across government agencies, laboratories, universities, and industry, we deliver the best possible science and technology results for the nation.

Los Alamos is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) under contract to the NNSA. LANS comprises four U.S. organizations that partner to support delivery of our national security science mission. These entities are the University of California; Bechtel National, Inc.; The Babcock and Wilcox Company; and URS Corporation.