Pearce - Space Situational Awareness - Best Researcher Award
University of Arizona Steward Observatory - United States
AUTHOR PROFILE
🌌 EXPERTISE IN SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS
With over 30 years of experience in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Dr. Eric C. Pearce is a leading expert in the field. His work emphasizes the development and application of electro-optical surveillance systems, particularly for unique SDA applications. Dr. Pearce has played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of groundbreaking technologies, including the DARPA 3.5 m Space Surveillance Telescope (SST), contributing to advancements in cislunar SDA and system-level analysis.
🔭 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Pearce currently holds dual appointments at the University of Arizona as a Research Astronomer at Steward Observatory and as a Professor in the Department of Astronomy. His research programs are at the cutting edge of cislunar domain awareness, where he serves as the Technical Director for the Cislunar Domain Awareness System (Orthos). This innovative project integrates novel technologies to revolutionize space surveillance in the cislunar domain, showcasing his ability to drive forward-thinking solutions in space research.
🌍 ADVANCING CISLUNAR DOMAIN AWARENESS
One of Dr. Pearce’s significant contributions is in establishing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) in cislunar space. His work has been instrumental in exploring the commercial and military utility of space operations beyond Earth's orbit, addressing the challenges of extending sensor networks into this new frontier. His research has been widely circulated within the Department of Defense and Intelligence communities, reinforcing his role as a thought leader in space operations.
📡 PIONEERING BALLOON-BORNE TELESCOPES
Dr. Pearce has also explored the potential of balloon-borne telescopes for cislunar SDA, particularly for detecting and tracking objects near the moon. His comprehensive studies have identified crucial technology developments required for this innovative approach, further expanding the boundaries of space surveillance technologies.
🔧 INNOVATIONS IN ASTRONOMICAL TECHNIQUES
In addition to his work on cislunar SDA, Dr. Pearce has contributed to several other groundbreaking projects, including the development of an Advanced Volume Holographic Filter (AVHF) for daylight suppression. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance the sensitivity of ground-based telescopes for daylight and cislunar applications, underscoring his expertise in merging astronomical techniques with practical applications in space surveillance.
🔬 UKIRT DEBRIS OBSERVATIONS
Dr. Pearce has led efforts in space debris characterization through the UKIRT Debris Observations Pilot Project. His team has developed techniques to monitor and analyze space debris using near-IR photometry and spectroscopy, contributing to the understanding of space debris dynamics and identification of anomalous objects in orbit.
🌙 NIGHT SKY BRIGHTNESS MODELING
Committed to mitigating the effects of light pollution on astronomical observations, Dr. Pearce has been actively involved in night sky brightness (NSB) measurements and model validation. His work helps refine models that predict sensor performance in various lighting conditions, including the challenging environment near the moon, ensuring that SDA systems can operate effectively in all conditions.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION
An Inexpensive Turnkey 6.5m Observatory with Customizing Options
Authors: Kingsley, J.S., Angel, R., Davison, W., Gonzales, K., Adriaanse, D.
Year: 2018
Conference: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Overview and Status of the Giant Magellan Telescope Project
Authors: McCarthy, P.J., Fanson, J., Bernstein, R., Jacoby, G., Pearce, E.
Year: 2016
Conference: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Development and Application of Spherically Curved Charge-Coupled Device Imagers
Authors: Gregory, J.A., Smith, A.M., Pearce, E.C., Dolat, V.S., Loomis, A.H.
Year: 2015
Journal: Applied Optics
Focus and Alignment of the Space Surveillance Telescope: Procedures and Year 2 Performance Results
Authors: Freedman Woods, D., Lambour, R.L., Faccenda, W.J., Shah, R.Y., Cornell, M.E.
Year: 2014
Conference: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Improving the Space Surveillance Telescope's Performance Using Multi-Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Zingarelli, J.C., Pearce, E., Lambour, R., Peterson, C.J.R., Cain, S.
Year: 2014
Journal: Astronomical Journal