Hume Seminar Series: Space Surveillance in a Congested and Contested Domain (MIT LL)

About the Event

Recent advances in microelectronics and space launch technology are driving the exponential proliferation of satellites on orbit, and humanity’s increasing reliance on space-based services. As near-Earth space becomes more congested, threats to satellites and the space services are also multiplying, and timely space domain awareness is essential for safeguarding satellites. Join us for an overview of recent space threat developments, space surveillance sensors, and technology being prototyped to improve space domain awareness.

About the Speaker

Eric Wahl, Mathematician and Data Scientist

Eric Wahl holds a BS degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Tufts University and a PhD in Mathematics from Boston University. He joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in 2008 and his work there has focused on space control and space situational awareness.  From 2014-2016 he was embedded in an Intelligence Community office conducting analysis of adversary space capabilities. Eric then initiated and lead the Lincoln Laboratory support of the nation’s space test and training enterprise. In this role he served as a technical advisor to the military during the stand-up of the National Space Test and Training Complex, and oversaw the development of several first-of-a-kind test capabilities. Eric currently leads the Information Integration and Decision Support group which operates world-class space surveillance radars, supports global space test and training activities, and develops real-time space domain awareness and decision support prototypes. Away from work, he enjoys hiking and cooking with his family.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sarah Downer at humecenter@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.