CANCELED: Will be rescheduled for a later date! Optical Technology Demonstrations on CubeSats [Kerri Cahoy]

DATE: January 27th

SPEAKER: Kerri Cahoy

TITLE: Optical Technology Demonstrations on CubeSats

TIME: 3 PM – 4 PM [Meet and Greet before presentation at 2 PM]

LOCATION: Reitz Union Senate Chamber

FLYER: Event Flyer Cahoy

CubeSats enable quicker testing of new technologies on orbit, thanks to their commercial availability and lower launch costs. Advances in optical technology on orbit can improve both imaging and communication. Space imaging applications include looking outward from Earth, for astronomy, planetary science, and situational awareness, as well as looking inward toward Earth, for weather, land use, and logistics. Optical technology can help improve the efficiency and security of communication links between spacecraft and from spacecraft to Earth, as well as support formation flying and coordination between spacecraft. In this talk we will show example CubeSat optical technology demonstrations, such as using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fast steering mirrors or Liquid Lens technology for laser communications crosslinks and downlinks, and using MEMS deformable mirrors for adaptive optics that improve image quality and stability. We will also highlight some future directions, like how onboard processing combined with AI and optical technology can drive dynamic tasking and help make missions more efficient, and how even CubeSat demonstrations can help make it easier to build and modify optical imaging spacecraft on-orbit.

BIO: Prof. Kerri Cahoy received her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University in 2000, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 2002 and 2008, respectively. Cahoy’s work focuses on space systems engineering and satellite systems engineering, particularly small satellites. Her research specializations include atmospheric sensing, exoplanet detection and characterization, and technology demonstration on laser communications, adaptive optics, and autonomy. Some recent flight projects include the Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (DeMi) for DARPA, the CubeSat Lasercom Infrared CrosslinK (CLICK) mission for NASA, and the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission for NASA. At MIT, Cahoy teaches courses in satellite engineering, space systems, free space optical communications, aerospace sensors, and remote sensing.