Seminar

Seminar - OSIRIS-REx: To Bennu and Back - Sept. 13

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:42:13 +0000

Seminar - OSIRIS-REx: To Bennu and Back - Sept. 13 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/03/2024 - 07:42

Friday, Sept. 13
10:40 a.m. - Seminar in AERO 120
11:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion / Q&A in AERO 111

This seminar will recount the two-year proximity operations and remote sensing campaign at Bennu, including the dramatic sample collection event and the events leading to the landing of the sample capsule in Utah.

A panel discussion will follow, featuring members of the Navigation and Flight Operations Team from NASA Goddard, Lockheed Martin, and KinetX, who will each recount specific challenges faced during the mission and the innovations that were implemented to overcome them.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Michael C Moreau (AeroEngr MS’97, PhD’01) has worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center since 2001, and for over 10 years has served in leadership roles on the OSIRIS-REx Mission, as the manager of the Navigation Team during development, launch, and Bennu encounter, then as deputy project manager and leader of the sample return capsule recovery team. Mike Ph.D. research at CU focused on applications of the Global Positioning System in high Earth orbits, and contributed to the adoption of GPS on NASA missions such as GOES and Magnetosphere Multiscale. Before attending CU, he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont.

Over three decades, Dr. Peter Antreasian (AeroEngr PhD’92) has made contributions to the navigation of NASA missions, Galileo, NEAR, Mars Odyssey, MER, Cassini-Huygens, GRAIL, and OSIRIS-REx. He began his career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1992, then joined KinetX 20 years later to lead the OSIRIS-REx navigation team. His expertise in orbit determination and navigation has been crucial in the success of these missions, including the first-ever landing of a spacecraft on an asteroid and the return of an asteroid sample to Earth. Peter earned his BS, MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering, respectively, from Purdue, University of Texas and University of Colorado.

Dr. Jason Leonard (AeroEngr MS’12, PhD’15) received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� under the advisement of Dr. George Born. Currently, he is the Orbit Determination Group Supervisor at KinetX Aerospace and Deputy Navigation Team Chief for the NASA OSIRIS-REx and OSIRIS-APEX missions. He has been the Orbit Determination Team Lead for OSIRIS-REx since prior to Launch, during the duration of proximity operations and its successful acquisition of asteroid regolith, and through its return of the sample to Earth. For his contributions to the mission, Jason received the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal and the PI Award of Distinction.

Dr. Daniel Wibben is the Maneuver Design Group Supervisor for the Space Navigation and Flight Dynamics practice at KinetX Aerospace, Inc. Since joining the company, he has held the role of Maneuver and Trajectory lead for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. He has also been involved with the planning and operations of the LUCY, LunaH-Map, and DAVINCI missions. He received his B.S. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona where his research was focused on nonlinear guidance techniques for asteroid proximity operations and planetary landing.

Coralie D. Adam (AeroEngr MS’17) is the Optical Navigation Group Supervisor at KinetX. She holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering and astronomy from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During her 12 years at KinetX, Coralie has had lead roles on the navigation teams for NASA New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, Lucy, and OSIRIS-APEX missions. In addition to leading the OSIRIS-REx optical navigation subsystem from development through sample collection, she co-convened the scientific investigation of Bennu active particle ejection phenomena. Coralie is currently the deputy Navigation Team Chief on NASA Lucy mission, and a navigation lead and science co-investigator on the OSIRIS-APEX extended mission to asteroid Apophis.

Ryan Olds (AeroEngr BS’04, MS’09) has 19 years of experience in Guidance Navigation and Controls at Lockheed Martin Space supporting NASA Deep Space Exploration Missions. Ryan started his career working on the Pointing Control System for the Spitzer Space Telescope. He developed the reaction wheel control system for the twin-spacecraft GRAIL mission and supported test, integration, launch, and operations at the Moon. Ryan began working on OSIRIS-Rex in 2013 by developing control systems as well as the Natural Feature Tracking system which provided autonomous navigation for OSIRIS-REx during the mission sample acquisition phase. Ryan is currently a Guidance, Navigation and Controls manager and continues to support Deep Space Exploration missions such as OSIRIS-REx and DAVINCI.

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Seminar: Unsteady spallation of low-density carbon fiber ablators - Apr. 17

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:10:23 +0000

Seminar: Unsteady spallation of low-density carbon fiber ablators - Apr. 17 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 04/10/2026 - 11:10

Francesco Panerai
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Friday, Apr. 17 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 114

Abstract: We discuss recent findings from inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel experiments on the spallation of lightweight charring ablators. Spallation effects due to flow shear stresses and internal pressure build-up have been the subject of renewed interest by the ablation community. A direct comparison of PICA and FiberForm ablation under supersonic air and nitrogen plasma revealed distinct processes attributed to the presence of oxidation reactions, or absence thereof. Spallation in nitrogen plasma is characterized by intermittent particle release events, attributed to carbonaceous deposits that accumulate at the ablator surface. These precipitates originate from carbon sublimation and nitridation products that subsequently redeposit on the layered ablator surface, decreasing surface permeability. Particle release events occur as a result of the consequent increase in interior pressure caused by continued sublimation and production of pyrolysis gases beneath the carbonaceous deposition.

These effects result in dominant contributions to the overall ablation processes, where unsteady spallation can account for upwards of 45% of the total mass loss in nitrogen plasma, with immediate implications to heat shield design. By contrast, no comparable carbon depositions or unsteady particle releases are observed in air plasma at similar enthalpies, suggesting that, while sublimation and nitridation processes are active, all gaseous carbon is consumed by atomic oxygen near the surface. Overall, our results provide new insights on the high-temperature ablation regime, where the tight interactions of sublimation, carbon deposition, and boundary layer carbon/oxygen reactions require further investigation.

Bio: Francesco Panerai is an Assistant Professor in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research covers advanced materials for extreme environments, transport in porous media, and hypersonic aerothermodynamics. Prior to Illinois, he was a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center. He received his PhD and Research Master in Aeronautics and Aerospace from von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in (Belgium) and a M.Sc. and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Perugia (Italy). He is recipient of the 2019 Air Force Young Investigator Award and is an AIAA Associate Fellow. He is one of the founding members of the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies (CHESS) at the University of Illinois.

We discuss recent findings from inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel experiments on the spallation of lightweight charring ablators. Spallation effects due to...

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Seminar - The United States Navy: 250 Years of Innovation - Apr. 10

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:37:30 +0000

Seminar - The United States Navy: 250 Years of Innovation - Apr. 10 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 04/03/2026 - 14:37

Michelle Howard
U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.)
Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Friday, Apr. 10 • 10:40 a.m. • AERO 114

Seven Seas and Air Space | Space | Cyber Space | Seabed to Space

Abstract: From wooden hulls crossing the Delaware River in 1775 to directed-energy weapons, satellite intercepts, and cyber operations today, the United States Navy has continuously reinvented itself to meet the demands of an evolving strategic environment.

This presentation traces 250 years of naval innovation across four domains — the Seven Seas and airspace, space, cyberspace, and the seabed-to-space continuum — exploring how the Navy has adapted its warfighting capabilities to each new frontier.

Drawing on landmark moments such as Operation Burnt Frost, the emergence of cyber warfare, and the rise of unmanned systems, Admiral Howard examines the forces that have driven naval transformation and the challenges that lie ahead as competitors contest every domain from the ocean floor to orbit.

As Yogi Berra famously noted, "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future" — yet understanding how the Navy has innovated over two and a half centuries offers the clearest possible guide to what comes next.

Bio: Admiral Michelle J. Howard served over 35 years in the United States Navy, commanding a ship, an Expeditionary Strike Group, a Task Force, and a Naval theater. In 1999 she became the first African American woman to command a ship in the Navy. In 2014 she became the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star Admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first woman appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Her career included NATO peacekeeping operations, Indonesia Tsunami Relief, Maritime Security Operations, and the rescue of the Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates. She is a Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.

Admiral Howard subsequently served as the Shapiro Visiting Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and is a member of the IBM Board of Directors.

Featuring U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.) Michelle Howard. From wooden hulls crossing the Delaware River in 1775 to directed-energy weapons, satellite intercepts, and cyber operations today, the United States Navy has...

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Seminar: Saturn Moon Tours and Science Orbits for Enceladus - Apr. 3

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:12:12 +0000

Seminar: Saturn Moon Tours and Science Orbits for Enceladus - Apr. 3 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 03/27/2026 - 12:12

Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez
Professor in Space Systems Engineering, ISAE-SUPAERO,
2026 Byram Distinguished Visiting Professsor
Friday, Apr. 3 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 111

Abstract: Saturn moons are among the most compelling destinations for future planetary exploration, offering unique opportunities to investigate ocean worlds, plume activity, and the conditions for habitability.

Among them, Enceladus is a particularly attractive target, as its active south polar region provides direct access to material originating from the subsurface ocean. Turning these scientific objectives into a feasible mission, however, remains a major trajectory design challenge. Arrival conditions in the Saturn system are highly constrained, Enceladus flybys provide only limited deflection, and the strong dynamical influence of Titan plays a central role in shaping accessible tour architectures.

In this seminar, I will discuss how preliminary mission design can bridge scientific ambition and trajectory feasibility for future exploration of Saturn moons.

I will first review the scientific motivation for investigating the Saturnian system, with particular emphasis on Enceladus and the key questions related to plume sampling, habitability, and sustained orbital observations.

I will then present moon-tour strategies that exploit multiple gravity assists, especially from Titan, to progressively reshape the spacecraft orbit and enable repeated targeted encounters with Enceladus early in the mission.

Finally, I will discuss candidate science orbits around Enceladus, including near-rectilinear halo orbits, butterfly orbits, and period-3 halo orbits, which provide repeated low-altitude passes over the south polar region with complementary viewing geometries. Overall, the seminar will highlight how trajectory design connects system-level access to local scientific operations around one of the most fascinating moons in the Solar System

Bio: Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez is a Full Professor in Space Systems Engineering at ISAE-SUPAERO (Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace) in Toulouse, France, where she leads the Space Advanced Concepts research group. She holds a PhD from ISAE-SUPAERO and a Dr-Eng. degree from the University of Stuttgart (2015), and has over 30 years of experience spanning space agencies, industry, and academia.

Her research and teaching focus on astrodynamics and on human and robotic space exploration (small bodies like asteroids, small moons like Phobos or Enceladus). Her work is structured around two main axes: (1) trajectory optimization for interplanetary and cislunar missions, with particular emphasis on rendezvous operations, and (2) human–robot interaction in long-duration exploration missions, including the effects of confinement and isolation on crew performance.

She previously served on console during critical operations of the ATV Jules Verne mission in 2008. She is co-founder and CTO of the Spaceflight Institute, Associate Editor of the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, a member of the Astrodynamics Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, and a Corresponding Member of the French Air and Space Academy.

Saturn moons are among the most compelling destinations for future planetary exploration, offering unique opportunities to investigate ocean worlds, plume activity, and the conditions for habitability.

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Seminar - Chasing Water: Tracking changes in Earth water cycle from space - Mar. 27

Jeff Zehnder — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:25:28 +0000

Seminar - Chasing Water: Tracking changes in Earth water cycle from space - Mar. 27 Jeff Zehnder Mon, 03/16/2026 - 11:25

David Wiese
Solid Earth and Ice Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Friday, Mar. 27 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 114

Abstract: The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), launched in 2002, provided pioneering observations of changes in surface mass on our planet by measuring variations in the gravitational potential of Earth. These observations quantified, for the first time, the mass balance of the ice sheets, the mass component of sea level change, glacier mass change worldwide, and identified regions of rapid groundwater depletion, raising concern for future regional water security.

The GRACE mission was decommissioned in 2017 due to battery failure; however, GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) launched in 2018 and is now successfully continuing observations of Earth system mass change, about to enter its 9th year of operations. Simultaneously, a future successor mission, GRACE-Continuity, is currently in development with a scheduled launch in December 2028.

In this talk, I will provide an overview of the scientific highlights from the GRACE and GRACE-FO missions, and look to how we can improve knowledge of surface mass changes in the future, with the launch of GRACE-C, a complementary mission led by ESA, called Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM), and the development of potentially the first quantum sensing instrument to be launched in space: the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder mission.

I will also discuss opportunities for improving knowledge of mass change through data fusion with complementary data types, such as satellite altimetry and in-situ GNSS observations.

Bio: Dr. David Wiese is a member of the Solid Earth and Ice Group at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He currently serves as the Deputy Project Scientist and Science Data Systems Manager for the NASA/DLR GRACE-Continuity mission. His research interests revolve around using astrodynamics and satellite navigation principles to improve understanding of Earth system mass change. He is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, having authored over 60 papers garnering more than 14,000 citations.

He is a past recipient of the JPL Lew Allen Award, the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal, and has received the Outstanding Alumni for Excellence in Technical Achievement and Leadership from the CU Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department. Dr. Wiese earned his PhD in 2011 from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a BS from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005.

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), launched in 2002, provided pioneering observations of changes in surface mass on our planet by measuring variations in the...

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Seminar: Weak Form SciML - The Weak Form Is Stronger Than You Think (Feb. 6)

Emily Adams — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:03:06 +0000

Seminar: Weak Form SciML - The Weak Form Is Stronger Than You Think (Feb. 6) Emily Adams Wed, 02/04/2026 - 16:03

David Bortz
Professor in Applied Mathematics
Friday, Feb. 6 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: The creation and inference of mathematical models is central to modern scientific discovery. As more realism is demanded of models, however, the conventional framework of science-guided model proposal, discretization, parameter estimation, and model refinement becomes unwieldy, expensive, and computationally daunting. Recent advances in Weak form-based Scientific Machine Learning (WSciML) allow for the creation and inference of interpretable models directly from data via advanced numerical functional analysis, computational statistics, and numerical linear algebra techniques. This class of methods completely bypasses the need for forward-solve numerical discretizations and yields both parsimonious mathematical models and efficient parameter estimates. These methods are orders of magnitude faster and more accurate than traditional approaches and far more robust to the high noise levels. The combination of these features in a single framework provides a compelling alternative to both traditional modeling approaches as well as modern black-box neural networks. In this talk, I will present our weak form approach, describing our equation learning (WSINDy) and parameter estimation (WENDy) algorithms. I will demonstrate these performance properties via applications to several canonical problems in structured population modeling, cell migration, and mathematical epidemiology.

Biography: Prof. Bortz earned his PhD in 2002 with H.T. Banks at North Carolina State University. After a postdoc in Mathematics at the University of Michigan, he joined the faculty in Applied Math at the University of Colorado in 2006. The core of his research interests is scientific computing methods for data-driven modeling and inverse problems at the intersection of applied mathematics and statistics. His group has been developing a Weak-form Scientific Machine Learning framework with a wide range of applications to biology and medicine (wound healing, microbiology, epidemiology, ecology, etc.) and, more recently, to computational plasma physics in the context of fusion. His research has received support from NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD.

The creation and inference of mathematical models is central to modern scientific discovery. As more realism is demanded of models, however, the conventional framework of science-guided model proposal, discretization, parameter estimation, and model refinement becomes unwieldy, expensive, and computationally daunting.

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Seminar: Data Exploitation for Space Domain Awareness Mission Data Processing - Jan. 30

Jeff Zehnder — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:12:12 +0000

Seminar: Data Exploitation for Space Domain Awareness Mission Data Processing - Jan. 30 Jeff Zehnder Sat, 01/24/2026 - 00:12

Greg Furlich
Research Associate, �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Center for National Security Initiatives
Friday, Jan. 30 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 114

Abstract: Space has become a congested and contested as access has proliferated for defense, civil, and commercial opportunities. To ensure free access for all to collectively benefit from these commons, the United States Space Force has identified Space Domain Awareness as one of its core missions. Research at the Data Exploitation Lab for Trusted Autonomy (DELTA) at �Ͼ�Ʒ��'s Center for National Security Initiatives focuses on novel use of data, algorithms, and sensor systems to expand and deepen the impact of the USSF's SDA mission.

Dr. Furlich will present an overview of research projects ongoing at DELTA that impact the SDA mission and connect to key SDA stakeholders. He will focus more in detail on a research project called Open-data Weather Imagery Launch Alerts and Tracklets (OWLAT). OWLAT has been demonstrated successfully on live launches, foreign launches, and the ability to produce tracklets with multiple observations associated with a launch.

Bio: Dr. Greg Furlich is a Research Associate in Space Domain Awareness for the Center for National Security Initiatives (NSI) and faculty member of the �Ͼ�Ʒ��. Dr. Furlich leads the Data Exploitation Lab for Trusted Autonomy (DELTA). Dr. Furlich received his PhD in Physics from the University of Utah in 2020 with a doctoral thesis focused on the ultraviolet remote sensing of ultra-high energy cosmic ray interactions within the atmosphere. Prior to NSI, he worked as a research scientist at Lockheed Martin Space Systems with a focus on machine learning and algorithm development for a wide breadth of advanced programs and internal research and development (IRAD) projects. Dr. Furlich was recognized at Lockheed Martin for innovative research and leading technical contributions. His research interests at NSI include sensors and sensing, data exploitation, and trusted autonomy for mission data processing in Space Domain Awareness and Missile Warning missions.

Space has become a congested and contested as access has proliferated for defense, civil, and commercial opportunities. To ensure free access for...

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Seminar - Plasma Tunnels for Hypersonics: The University of Colorado Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory - Jan. 23

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:59:05 +0000

Seminar - Plasma Tunnels for Hypersonics: The University of Colorado Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory - Jan. 23 Jeff Zehnder Tue, 01/20/2026 - 08:59

Hisham Ali
Assistant Professor, Smead Aerospace
Friday, Jan. 23 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 114

Abstract: This seminar will cover an overview of current and future research objectives as well as several newly commissioned plasma tunnels for hypersonic applications in the Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory at the �Ͼ�Ʒ��, directed by Assistant Professor Hisham Ali.

The laboratory specializes in studying the physics of aerospace plasmas and related applications, such as hypersonics. Key laboratory capabilities include several unique radio-frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) tunnel facilities designed and built within the laboratory, spanning a range of input power levels up to 40kW.

The facilities produce high-temperature supersonic ionized plasma flows to simulate plasmas formed during high altitude hypersonic flight, featuring two table-top scale up to 5kW tunnels and two larger scale up to 40kW facilities, with full operation of the larger 40kW main facilities achieved in late 2025 after an over three-year facility design, building renovation, and equipment integration effort. The larger scale main plasma tunnel facilities are driven by water-cooled RF ICP torches operating at 40kW and 13.56MHz. In the context of RF ICP tunnels for hypersonics, the combination of up to 40kW input power and relatively high 13.56MHz frequency enable generation of chemically pure, high enthalpy flows with relatively high ionization levels. These RF ICP sources are then coupled to converging diverging nozzles and water-cooled 1.5m x 1.5m vacuum chambers evacuated by a shared large capacity mechanical vacuum pumping system, with a base pressure of 10^-4 mbar and maximum volumetric pumping speed exceeding 20,000 m³/hr. The resulting plasma jet discharge into the test vacuum chamber is a continuous supersonic plasma tunnel ground test facility simulating an ionized hypersonic plasma free-stream at high-altitude (low base pressure), with temperatures exceeding several thousand degrees K. The laboratory power supply, water-cooling, and vacuum systems are designed such that all plasma tunnels can run simultaneously to enable higher testing throughput, a unique capability.

Overall, the facility is one of less than five such high power inductively coupled plasma tunnel facilities in US academia, and its uniquely high vacuum pumping capacity is capable of maintaining lower chamber base pressures for simulating high altitude hypersonic flight environments while also featuring a control system to increase base pressure for simulating lower altitudes. The laboratory includes access for various plasma, fluid, and thermal diagnostics to facilitate hypersonics experimental investigations with a unique focus on magnetohydrodynamics for hypersonics and aerospace plasmas—magnetoaerodynamics.

Bio: Hisham is an Assistant Professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at The �Ͼ�Ʒ�� and the director of the Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory. In addition, Hisham is concurrently affiliated as a part-time casual Member of Technical Staff at The Aerospace Corporation Colorado Springs, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center for the United States Space Enterprise. Hisham earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Computer Based Honors from The University of Alabama in May 2013 and earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in May 2015 and August 2019, respectively. Hisham current research interests are in magnetohydrodynamics, hypersonics, plasma physics, and planetary entry systems.

his seminar will cover an overview of current and future research objectives as well as several newly commissioned plasma tunnels for hypersonic applications in the Magnetoaerodynamics and...

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Charting Your Course: Navigating Careers in Aerospace - Jan. 12

Jeff Zehnder — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:19:37 +0000

Charting Your Course: Navigating Careers in Aerospace - Jan. 12 Jeff Zehnder Thu, 01/08/2026 - 10:19

Monday, Jan. 12
6:30 - 7:15 p.m. • AERO 120
Free Pizza!
Open to aerospace students only - BuffOne Card required for entry.

Smead Aerospace invites you to attend a special workshop on the broad range of career opportunities in aerospace engineering.

Featuring

Dr. Nicole Duncan
BAE Systems, Inc.,
Chief Strategist, Civil Space

Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Tucker
Deputy Director, Joint Forces Development and Training, United States Space Command

Join moderator Prof. Torin Clark and two aerospace professionals who will discuss exciting and innovative accomplishments in our field, share experiences from their careers, and provide advice and guidance to your own path.

This will be a panel with questions from the moderator and audience, followed by an open house that gives you the opportunity to interact with panelists one-on-one.

Smead Aerospace invites you to attend a special workshop on the broad range of career opportunities in aerospace engineering.

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Seminar: Quantifying 5G Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) on Passive Microwave Radiometers - Jan. 16

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:53:10 +0000

Seminar: Quantifying 5G Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) on Passive Microwave Radiometers - Jan. 16 Jeff Zehnder Tue, 01/06/2026 - 08:53

Angie Crews
Principal Research Associate, �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Center for National Security Initiatives
Friday, Jan. 16 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 114

Abstract: Accurate weather forecasts are crucial to ensure that the nation is responsive and prepared for weather and climate disasters. Passive microwave radiometer measurements of temperature, humidity, and water vapor are critical for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, yet passive microwave radiometers are vulnerable to interference due to their detection of inherently weak natural emissions. In 2019, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) selected additional frequency bands from 24.24-27.5 GHz and 36.0-40.5 GHz that are adjacent to those commonly used by microwave radiometers for 5G mmWave applications. This causes the potential for 5G mmWave out-of-band interference and harmonics to affect spaceborne microwave radiometers and potentially degrade weather forecasts. Using the Denver metropolitan area as a case study, we analyze 5G mmWave operational networks and conduct a collection campaign to measure 5G mmWave signals and identify unique base stations. We then analyze on-orbit data from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument that is flown on spacecraft NOAA-20. We compare the on-orbit data to truth data generated from the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM). The observation-minus-background (O-B) bias results are statistically analyzed to identify any indicators of radio frequency interference (RFI) over the Denver metropolitan area. In this talk, we present our initial results quantifying RFI in ATMS channels that are sensitive to 5G mmWave interference.

Bio: Dr. Angie Crews is a Principal Research Associate with �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Center for National Security Initiatives (NSI). She has been a researcher at NSI since October of 2023. Prior to coming to NSI, Angie served in the Marine Corps as an EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) and later as a Space Operations Officer. After transitioning to the Reserves, she earned her Ph.D. at MIT in Space Systems Engineering. Angie studied calibration and validation of miniaturized microwave radiometers for her thesis, and she also had the opportunity to contribute to flight CubeSat projects MicroMAS-2A, CLICK, and TROPICS. After graduating MIT, Angie spent four years managing the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) Space Branch Portfolio.
Angie research interests include microwave radiometers, launch detection, SmallSats, and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). Her recent research projects include: quantifying radio frequency interference (RFI) on spaceborne passive microwave radiometers, automating AI/ML analysis of commercial imagery for launch cycle initiation detection, analysis of satellite drag and orbit tracking in VLEO, and proliferated LEO (PLEO) time transfer. Angie has also served as a mentor for �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Design for Defense course.

Accurate weather forecasts are crucial to ensure that the nation is responsive and prepared for weather and climate disasters. Passive microwave radiometer measurements of...

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