Accomplishments

Set of two large optical sensors outdoors Pair of large sensors pointing upwards outdoors Circuit board held by someone wearing white latex lab gloves Person wearing white latex lab gloves sliding metal box into a frame Blue optical sensor mounted on a tripod outdoors Bank of four laser sensors outdoors at night with green beam visible

Satellite Payloads

Developed and operated several payloads for AFRL to study phenomenology and component performance in a space environment. The payloads were successfully launched on the STPSat-2 and STPSat-3 spacecraft, and all test objectives were met.

Small-Format Sensors

Designed, fabricated, and tested small battery-powered prototype sensors for detecting directed energy threats to medical and combat support personnel. The goal was to provide medically relevant threat information in support of DHS, military, public health, and medical operations.

Satellite Tracking

Developed and fielded a novel, small format spectrometer and satellite tracking system designed to measure and classify geosynchronous satellite spectral signatures with high spectral resolution. The research was aimed at using optical means for satellite custody.

Airborne Sensors

Developed and fielded several innovative warning receivers for detecting harassing and potentially dangerous lasers used to illuminate pilots and personnel. The sensors quantify and geolocate threats with low false alarm rate from airborne platforms while providing a real-time display to the operators.

Ground-Based Sensors

Developed and demonstrated remote sensing instrumentation that detects and localizes continuous wave and pulsed lasers using aerosol and molecular scatter signatures. Applications include tactical laser location problems and laser safety in open air scenarios.

Component Assessment

Organized and implemented a multi-year on-orbit measurement campaign with the International Laser Ranging Service to characterize the performance of a retroreflector assembly to assess its utility for future small sat missions. Analyzed return data to evaluate component degradation over a six-year period.