The Teams
PUNCH Mission Development Team
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Matthew Beasley
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Payload System engineer
Education
Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2003
M.S. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2000
B.S. in Astronomy Physics and Physics, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1996
Professional Background
Research and Development
Program Manager, Southwest Research Institute, 2017-present
Adjunct Professor, Arizona State University, AZ, 2015-present
Principal Instrument Scientist, Planetary Resources, WA, 2012-present
Research Associate, Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2005-2012
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Astronomy, Arizona State University, 2003-2005
PUNCH Role
Develop requirements and oversee systems engineering of the PUNCH instruments.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. Beasley has designed, integrated, and flown six unique spaceflight instruments on a variety of platforms. He has extensive experience in instrumentation from 90 nm to 5 microns in both imaging and spectroscopic system.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Beasley has worked on proposal development for NASA and other funding organizations. He participated in instrument development and maturation for SMEX missions. He has served as a member of the professional community to advise and interact with students and a collaborator on planetary science mission and instrument development.
Before SwRI, he was responsible for the space flight optical systems that Planetary Resources develops. He designed a cost effective star tracker suitable for cubesat application and applicable to deep space radiation environments. He developed the conceptual instrument suite to evaluate asteroids for economic viability. As a PI, he has led the design, development, and deployment of instruments for space flight applications, launched on sounding rockets with NASA. Dr. Beasley launched three sub-orbital rockets to perform ultraviolet astronomy and demonstrate new optical designs. He was on the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph instrument team, ground calibration and thermal vacuum testing for the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4 in 2009. He participated in optical and ultraviolet mission concept design.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Beasley, Matthew, et al. “Big capabilities in small packages: hyperspectral imaging from a compact platform.” SPIE Optical Engineering+ Applications. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2016.
Antonina Brody
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Assembly, Integration and Test Lead
Education
B.S in Aerospace and Ocean, Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2006
Professional Background
Principal Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2018-present
Senior Research Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2013-2018
Research Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2008-2013
Electrical Engineer, Orbital Science Corp, 2006-2008
PUNCH Role
Define and drive Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) operations and ensure AIT operational excellence that fulfills mission system requirements.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Ms. Brody served as a lead test engineer for CYGNSS constellation of eight microsatellites and was responsible for developing and maintaining all spacecraft and observatory level test procedures and scripts, while mentoring team of test conductors. She was a deputy Instrument Suite Integration and Test lead for the NASA MMS constellation of four Observatories.
Supporting Experience
Ms. Brody has over a decade of experience in system engineering, integrating, testing and early orbit operations in a variety of spacecraft, instruments and spaceflight components, including CYGNSS, MMS, CuSPcubesat, UVS instrument for Europa mission, UVS instrument for JUICE mission, JADE instrument for JUNO mission. She concentrates in Integration and Test, requirement development, management, verification and validation but also competent at SwRI’s fabrication and configuration management processes.
Prior to her employment at SwRI, Ms. Brody served as electrical engineer at Orbital Science Corporation where she was responsible for developing and maintaining variety of test plans and electrical test procedures including test scripts for handful of low-Earth orbit communication satellites that now provide services to leading international broadcasters. She supported these missions from initial bring-up at a box level to pre-launch operations.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
D.J.McComas, N. Alexander, F. Allegrini, F. Bagenal,
C. Beebe, G. Clark, F. Crary, M. I. Desai,
A. De Los Santos, D. Demkee, J. Dickinson, D. Everett,
T. Finley, A. Gribanova (nèe), et al. “The Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) on the JUNO Mission to Jupiter” Space Sci. Rev., doi:10.1007/s11214-013-9990-9, 2013.
Ronnie Killough, John Scherrer, Randall Rose, Antonina Brody, et al. “CYGNSS Launch and Early Ops: Parenting Octuplets.” Small Satellite Conference, 2017.
Jennifer Campbell
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Mission Planner
Education
M.A. Linguistics, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2013
B.A. English Literature, Azusa Pacific University, 2011
Professional Background
Specialist, Southwest Research Institute, 2019 – present
Lecturer, Program for Writing & Rhetoric, CU Boulder, 2013-2019
Lecturer, TESOL Certificate Program, Linguistics, CU Boulder, 2017-2019
Team Coach, Flatirons Gymnastics Center, 2011-2019
PUNCH Role
Conduct PUNCH mission schedule analysis, tracking, and reporting.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Prior to her work with PUNCH Ms. Campbell worked for the University of Colorado at Boulder teaching a wide array of writing and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses in which she helped manage undergraduate students’ projects and adherence to deadlines.
Education
Ph.D. in Physics, George Mason University, Fairfax,VA, 2012
B.S. in Physics, Guilford College, Greensboro, NC, 2002
Professional Background
Astrophysicist, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 2009-present
Research Assistant, George Mason University, 2006-2009
Research Assistant, Catholic University of America, 2003-2006
PUNCH Role
Responsible for development of the NFI instrument, including design, fabrication, integration, and test; and science analysis of coronal structure and CME location.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. Robin Colaninno is DPM and Co-I of the SoloHI instrument for ESA Solar Orbiter. She is also a Co-I on the NASA Parker Solar Probe WISPR instrument. She was the Lead Developer of the STEREO/SECCHI calibration software. She also contributed to the STEREO/SECCHI COR2 optical system and the compact coronagraph design.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Colaninno has 11 years experience analyzing CMEs in coronagraphic and heliographic imaging data. She has developed and published multiple techniques for deriving physical parameter of CMEs from observations.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Colaninno, R. C., Howard, R. A. (2015) Update of the Photometric Calibration of the LASCO-C2 Coronagraph Using Stars. Solar Physics, 290, 997-1009.
Colaninno, R. C., Vourlidas, A. (2015) Using Multiple- viewpoint Observations to Determine the Interaction of Three Coronal Mass Ejections Observed on 2012 March 5, Astrophysical Journal, 815, 70-82.
Colaninno, R. C., Vourlidas, A., Wu, C. C. (2013) Quantitative comparison of methods for predicting the arrival of coronal mass ejections at Earth based on multiview imaging, Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics), 118, 6866-6879.
Colaninno, R. C., Vourlidas, A. (2009) First Determination of the True Mass of Coronal Mass Ejections: A Novel Approach to Using the Two STEREO Viewpoints, The Astrophysical Journal, 698, 852-858.
Colaninno, R. C., Vourlidas, A., (2006) Analysis of the Velocity Field of CMEs Using Optical Flow Methods, The Astrophysical Journal, 652, 1747-1754.
Thernisien, A., Colaninno, R. C., Plunkett, S., Socker, D. G., Gong, Q., Landini, F., (2005) Experimental and numerical optimization of a coronagraph external occulter: Application to SECCHI-COR2 and GOES-R SCOR, in Proc. Of SPIE, 366-377.
Joerg Gerhardus
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Safety and Mission Assurance Lead
Education
M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany, 1993
Professional Background
Manager of QA Engineering & Inspection, Institute Quality Systems, Southwest Research institute, 2005-present
Quality Manager, Harland Clarke CITM, 2000-2005
Captain, German Air Force, 1988-2000
PUNCH Role
Establish and execute safety and mission assurance protocols for PUNCH.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Mr. Joerg Gerhardus has over 18 years experience in quality management and in engineering and organizational leadership functions. At SwRI he has supported numerous space instrument and mission development efforts from design to development to delivery for missions such as the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), International Space Station Charged Particle Detector (ISS CPD), Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (MSL RAD), Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LRO LAMP), Juno Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE), BepiColombo Strofio, Solar Orbiter HIS, and Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS). He was the Safety & Mission Assurance Lead for the IBEX mission (well past the primary mission).
Mr. Gerhardus has supported numerous space missions as Quality and Mission Assurance Manager, including the LRO LAMP instrument, the MSL RAD instrument, IBEX SMEX, and the Juno JADE and Juno Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) instruments. He was the instrument suite Mission Assurance Manager for MMS, with more than 100 instruments and command and data handling assemblies launched in March 2015. Mr. Gerhardus is currently the Mission Assurance Manager for the CYGNSS mission, with eight microsatellites launched in December 2016.
Supporting Experience
Mr. Gerhardus leads a team of quality assurance (QA) scientists, engineers, inspectors, and technicians supporting NASA, ESA, and DoD space flight hardware/software projects at SwRI. He conducts internal and external audits and surveillances to various national and international standards, including AS9100, ISO 9001, and ISO 17025. His experience includes the development and implementation of quality policies and processes in government and industry organizations based on the international quality standard ISO 9000 as well as unique NASA, ESA, and DoD mission requirements.
Marcus Hughes
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH SOC data pipeline
Education
B.A. Astronomy and Computer Science with Honors, 2018
Professional Background
Research Computer Scientist, Southwest Research Institute, 2021-present
Associate Scientist 1, CIRES, University of Colorado & NOAA NCEI, 2020-2021
PUNCH Role
PUNCH SOC data pipeline
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Mr. Hughes has a programming background including languages such as Python, C, C++, Java, MATLAB, and Prolog. He is experienced in developing scientific software including data reduction pipelines and image denoising routines. He routinely utilizes development tools such as GitHub to share his work. Mr. Hughes also has experience with science communication and data visualization.
Supporting Experience
Mr. Hughes has studied methods of automated solar image segmentation using machine learning. His machine learning background enables him to find solutions to issues in large datasets.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Seaton, D. B., Hughes, J. M., Tadikonda, S. K., et al. 2021, "The Sun's Dynamic Extended Corona Observed in Extreme Ultraviolet." arxiv.org/abs/2105.08028
Don Kolinski
High Altitude Observatory
PUNCH Web Developer & Webmaster
Education
Ph.D. in Astrophysics, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2006
M.A. in Astrophysics, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2001
B.S. in Physics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, 1999
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, 1999
Professional Background
Research Scientist/Sr. Research Analyst, Southwest Research Institute, 2016-present
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2006-2008
PUNCH Role
Responsible for development of the WFI instruments, including design, fabrication, integration, and test; quantitative image analysis of shock structure.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. Glenn Laurent is a senior research scientist specializing in spaceflight instrumentation for heliophysics. He is lead instrument developer for the Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph (RAISE) sounding rocket program, focusing on systems I&T, optical and imaging system design, flight software development, data steam handling, signal and image processing and analysis. He is also Co-I and/or instrumentation lead on several solar missions, including SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP); Laboratory Calibration and Environmental Testing of New Hard X-ray Spectrometer for Future Cubesat Missions (IR); SwRI Miniature Assembly for Solar HXRs (SMASH); and Demonstration of Airglow-subtracted Heliospheric Imaging (DASH). Laurent led the SwRI prototyping and test effort for the WFI baffle and optics.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Laurent’s supporting research includes PI ofPOLOCAM, a cryogenic polarimeter instrument designed to map magnetic fields in galactic star-forming regions; space- based hardware and software (SPIRE instrument/Herschel Space Telescope); IR and mm-wave (bolometer) detector arrays; detector signal noise minimization (PCA); bolometer characterization; optical simulation and analysis software development; IR filter stacks/beam mapping/cryogenic refrigeration; and polarimetry design and integration. He is also PI of a SwRI Leadership and Capability Development award.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Laurent, G.T., et al (2016) The Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph Experiment (RAISE) Investigation, JAI, 5, 1640006-34.
Diller, J., C. DeForest, C., G. Laurent, et al. (2015) Solar Science from Manned Suborbital Vehicles 7 The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform, IEEE, 10.1109.
Florine Lehtinen
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH mission financial analysis, tracking, and reporting
Education
B.S. Economics, Pennsylvania State University, 2018
M.S. Organizational Psychology, Leiden University, Netherlands, 2006
Professional Background
Specialist, Southwest Research Institute, 2020 – present
Financial Analyst to PUNCH, Manpower, 2019
U.S Embassy Uruguay Post Office coordinator, U.S. State Department, 2010-2011
Assessment psychologist, NOA Amsterdam, 2005-2007
PUNCH Role
Conduct PUNCH mission financial analysis, tracking, and reporting.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Prior to her work with PUNCH Ms. Lehtinen worked for State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay. She tracked financial and strategic records and adjustment of product inventory for the post office of the U.S. Embassy for day-to-day operations. She analyzed weekly and monthly cost data to help ensure the U.S. Embassy Post office and commissary meet its logistical and communication requirements.
Chris Lowder
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH SOC data pipeline
Education
Ph.D., Physics, Montana State University, 2015
M.S., Physics, Montana State University, 2011
B.S., Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007
Professional Background
Research Scientist, Southwest Research Institute, 2017-present
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Durham University, 2015-2017
PUNCH Role
PUNCH SOC data pipeline
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Through research, Dr. Lowder has developed a programming language skillset including Python, IDL, Fortran, Perl, PDL, and MATLAB. He is proficient in processing and managing large datasets, and executing parallelized code using MPI and OpenMP. He has experience with developing open source science analysis software utilizing Git and GitHub as a platform for open editing and issue tracking. He also has extensive experience with data visualization methods.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Lowder studies the evolution of magnetic fields in the solar corona, particularly through connecting observations and numerical modeling. His research focuses in particular on automated feature recognition in large datasets to study the 11-year solar cycle. His experience includes numerical modeling, data processing/analysis, software development, and education and public outreach.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Lowder, C., Yeates, A., Magnetic Flux Rope Identification and Characterization from Observationally-Driven Solar Coronal Models. ApJ, 846, 106 (2017).
Lowder, C., Qiu, J., & Leamon, R. Coronal Holes and Open Magnetic Flux over Cycles 23 and 24. SoPh 292, 18 (2017).
Don McMullin
Space Systems Research Corporation
PUNCH NFI Instrument Project Manager
Education
B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California, 1999
Professional Background
Program Manager, Space Systems Research Corporation, 2008-present
Instrument Scientist, Praxis, Inc., 2003-2008
Flight Programs Manager, USC Space Sciences Center, 1999-2003
PUNCH Role
Coordinate the detailed project planning with the NFI IP and NFI team members; coordinate the development of the PUNCH instruments filter wheel.
Experience Relative to PUNCH
Donald R. McMullin has over 20 years of diverse experience in Project Management, Engineering, and scientific analysis in space flight programs. Mr. McMullin has led development teams in the execution of programs for academia, commercial, and government institutions, including NASA, NOAA, and the DoD. Mr. McMullin has worked extensively with international space agencies including the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland.
Supporting Experience
Most recently, Mr. McMullin served as Program Manager for the development of the Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) at NRL. The SoloHI instrument was the first to be successfully delivered and integrated onto the SO spacecraft. Prior to SoloHI, he served as Deputy Program Manager for the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) program on NASA’s STEREO mission. SECCHI consists of two suites of five telescopes, which includes both coronagraphs and heliospheric imagers.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Morrill, J. S.; Floyd, L.; McMullin, D., The Solar Ultraviolet Spectrum Estimated Using the Mg ii Index and Ca ii K Disk Activity, Solar Physics, Volume 269, Issue 2, pp.253- 267 (2011)
McMullin, D. R., M. Bzowski, E. Möbius, et al., Heliospheric conditions that affect the interstellar gas inside the heliosphere, A&A, v.426, p.885-895 (2004)
McMullin, D. R., D. L. Judge, C. Tarrio, R. E. Vest, F. Hanser, Extreme ultraviolet efficiency measurements of free-standing transmission gratings, Applied Optics, vol. 43, Issue 19, pp.3797-3801 (2003)
Jillian Redfern
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Ground Systems Manager; Mission Operations Center Lead
Education
B.S. in Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2001
Professional Background
Manager R&D/ Principal Analyst/ Sr. Research Analyst/ Research Analyst, Southwest Research Institute, 2004-present
Draper Fellow, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, 2002-2004
Software Engineer, TRW, Inc., 2001-2002
Research Assistant, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, 1999-2001
PUNCH Role
Lead design, development, implementation, and operation of the PUNCH ground system, and its Mission Operations Center.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Ms. Jillian Redfern is the MOC Lead for CYGNSS. As MOC Lead she oversaw the development of the MOC, including mission planning, command and control, and data processing. She is currently the Mission Operations Manager (MOM) and SwRI Project Manager (PM) for CYGNSS. As MOM, she oversees the daily contacts and onboard sequence generation of the 8 microsatellites, along with the data processing of the instruments. As PM she oversees the subcontracts for the MOC and manages Phase E cost and schedule.
Supporting Experience
Ms. Redfern was a member of the New Horizons Science Operations Center as the instrument sequencer for the Alice and Ralph instruments. She is also the Data Management Lead for the Juno Science Operations Center and the SOC Software Lead for TWINS. Earlier in her career she was a research assistant for the SOLSTICE instrument onboard UARS and SORCE, where she assisted in mission planning.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Dischner, Z., J. Redfern, et al., CYGNSS MOC: Meeting the Challenge of Constellation Operations in a Cost- Constrained World, submitted to IEEE Aerospace Conference, Accepted December 31, 2015.
Goldstein, J., D.J. McComas, P. Valek, J. Redfern, F. Søraas, and D. Bazell (2013), Local-time-dependent low- altitude ion spectra deduced from TWINS ENA images, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 118, 2928-2950.
Stern, S.A., et al., The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons. Science 350.
Daniel Seaton
Southwest Research Institute
Science Operations Center Lead
Education
Ph.D., Physics, University of New Hampshire, 2008
B.A., Astrophysics & Mathematics, Williams College, 2001
Professional Background
Principal Scientist, SwRI, 2020–Present
Research Scientist, CIRES, University of Colorado & NOAA NCEI, 2015–Present
Scientist, Solar-Terrestrial Center for Excellence at the Royal Observatory of Belgium, 2008–Present
Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 2001–2003
PUNCH Role
Science Operations Center Lead
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. Seaton studies the magnetic and energetic processes that shape the solar corona on all scales, and which drive outflow that can influence space weather conditions near Earth. He has developed a number of instruments and mission concepts, and is an expert in the calibration and generation of solar observation data products.
He is the project scientist for the proposed Sun’s Coronal Eruption Tracker (SunCET), a CubeSat mission to produce wide-field-of-view images the solar corona in extreme ultraviolet. He is a Co-Investigator and SOC lead for the SwRI-led CubeSat Imaging X-ray Solar Spectrometer (CubIXSS) mission. Previously he served as lead scientist for the GOES Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) instrument and PI for the Sun Watcher with Active Pixels (SWAP) extreme ultraviolet solar imager on the PROBA2 spacecraft. He is a Co-Investigator for the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager on the Solar Orbiter mission, the ASPIICS coronagraph on the formation-flying PROBA3 mission, and a Parker Solar Probe Associate Scientist.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Seaton has been a leader of the development of the science of the middle solar corona, and has led a number of pathfinding efforts to develop techniques for observing this region to understand the physical processes that govern its structure and dynamics. He has also developed image processing techniques to support this research. His previous work includes both data analysis and the development of an analytical theoretical model of magnetic reconnection, the process that liberates energy stored in the Sun’s magnetic field to power solar eruptions and flares.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Seaton, D. B., Hughes, J. M., Tadikonda, S. K., et al. 2021, "The Sun's Dynamic Extended Corona Observed in Extreme Ultraviolet." Nature Astronomy, 5: 1029–1035. DOI: 10.1038/s41550-021-01427-8
Seaton, D. B., Berghmans, D., Nicula, B., et al., 2013, “The SWAP EUV Imaging Telescope Part I: Instrument Overview and Pre-flight Calibration,” Solar Physics, 286: 43–65. DOI: 10.1007/s11207-012-0114-6
Mason, J. P., Chamberlin, P. C., Seaton, D., et al. 2021, "SunCET: The Sun Coronal Ejection Tracker Concept." Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 11, 20. DOI: 10.1051/swsc/2021004]
Seaton, D. B., & Darnel, J. M., 2018, “Observations of an Eruptive Flare in the Extended EUV Solar Corona,” Astrophysical Journal Letters, 852: L9. DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/aaa28e
Seaton, D. B., De Groof, A., Shearer, P., Berghmans, D., & Nicula, B., 2013, “SWAP Observations of the Long-Term, Large-Scale Evolution of the EUV Solar Corona,” Astrophysical Journal, 777: 72. DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/777/1/72
Tadikonda, S. et al (including Seaton, D. B.), 2018, “Coronal Imaging with the Solar Ultraviolet Imager,” Solar Physics, 294: 28. DOI: 10.1007/s11207-019-1411-0
Keith Smith
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Spacecraft Manager
Education
M.S. in Mech./ Systems Engineering, Univ. of Illinois-Urbana/ Champaign, 2009
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder, 1995
Professional Background
R&D Director, Southwest Research Institute, 2002-present
Sr. Reliability Engineer, Ingersoll Rand Company, 2000-2002
Senior Test Engineer, Transportation Tech. Center, 1995-2000
Engineering Intern, Composite Tech Development, 1993-1995
PUNCH Role
Lead spacecraft systems development, integration and test.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Mr. Keith Smith has over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience, and provides engineering support and oversight to spacecraft programs. He currently directs multiple space avionics programs for both NASA and DoD clients – and was the SMT Lead for the CYGNSS mission (eight microsatellites on a single launch vehicle). This latter role included microsatellite (constellation) and separation module configuration, design/analyses, qualification, GSE, flight segment validation, and launch vehicle interfacing.
As Program Manager for FPI-HVPS and Fabrication Manager for MMS-SMART, Mr. Smith was awarded GSFC’s Exceptional Achievement in Engineering and NASA’s Group Achievement Award, respectively. He directed construction and validation of 32 flight power supplies for the instrument suite (4 identical observatories for NASA’s MMS mission), and cross-coordinated efforts on HPCA (four plasma instruments) and CIDP (four flight computers). He managed schedule, budget and performance requirements, while working closely with product assurance to evaluate trades and reduce risk exposure.
Supporting Experience
Mr. Smith was the Systems Engineer for the Spacecraft Control Unit on NASA’s WISE mission and DoD’s HiSentinel High-Altitude Airship. In this capacity, he was responsible for mission requirements development, verification, reliability analyses, and component qualification. His previous technical experience spans analytical and empirical research, along with prototype and high-volume production. Prior client relationships include ground vehicle, offshore/subsea and aircraft industries.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Rose, R., et al., “CYGNSS Mission Overview and Implementation Update,” Proceedings, IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Conference, Milan, Italy, 2015.
Pollock, C.J., et al., “Fast Plasma Investigation for Magnetospheric Multiscale, Space Science Reviews Journal, Springer Int’l Pub. AG, New York, NY, 2015.
Mark Tapley
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Mission Systems Engineer
Education
B.S. in Engineering Science, University of Texas, 1984
M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, M.I.T., 1986
Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford, 1993
Professional Background
Institute Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2015-present
Staff Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2005-2015
Principal Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 2000-2005
Senior Research Engineer, Southwest Research Institute, 1996-2000
System Engineer, NavAstro, 1993-1996
Lab Assistant, University of Texas Center for Space Research, 1978-1984
PUNCH Role
Support planning and execution of PUNCH mission design, test, commissioning, and science operations as well as anomaly resolution activities.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
As chairman of the Engineering Peer Review Board for the successful CYGNSS earth science mission, Dr. Tapley gained invaluable experience in understanding the requirements, peculiarities, and characteristics of a science microsatellite constellation through its assembly, integration, and test phases. His continuing work as Anomaly Review Team lead on that mission contributed further to his familiarity with workarounds to unexpected behaviors and with the capability of many of the systems PUNCH will use.
Supporting Experience
Dr. Tapley’s primary area of interest is mission design and systems engineering and astrodynamical research. His current assignments include Deputy Payload Systems Engineer on the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt and Mission Systems Engineer on the IBEX mission to image the heliopause with neutral atom imagers. In 1996, Dr. Tapley became the Mission Systems Engineer for the very successful IMAGE Explorer mission for ionospheric and magnetic imaging. Responsibilities for IMAGE included requirements tracking and verification for which he oversaw development of a database system also used on other GSFC missions. He wrote and conducted payload functional tests and served as second shift Mission Operations Manager for the 40-day IMAGE in-orbit checkout period. He served as PI for the SwRI contribution to the DARPA System F6 project and chaired the Engineering Peer Review board for the CYGNSS mission through much of its development. Dr. Tapley is known in the space geodesy community for his research in analysis of geodetic missions. His initial work was with the Gravity Probe B mission at Stanford University utilizing the extremely low disturbances to enhance recovery of gravitational field observations with the gyroscope suspension and GPS navigation systems. Dr. Tapley was the Systems Engineer on that extremely challenging mission.
James Tappin
STFC: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
PUNCH In-flight Calibration Lead
Education
Ph.D. in Radio Astronomy, University of Cambridge, UK, 1985
B.A. in Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK, 1981
Professional Background
Heliospheric Physicist, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, 2014 - present
Physicist, NSO/Sac Peak, 2007 - 2013
Research Fellow, University of Birmingham UK, 1988 - 2007
NRC RRA, NOAA SEL, 1985 - 1988
Physicist, University of California-San Diego, 1986 - 1987
PUNCH Role
Responsible for instrument characterization and calibration on orbit.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. James Tappin has worked extensively on both the science and operation/characterization of both heliospheric imagers so far flown (SMEI and the HI's on STEREO). He was also instrumental in showing that a polarizing imager should be possible, and in exploring the scientific value thereof.
Supporting Experience
As well as working with heliospheric imagers, Dr. Tappin has worked extensively with many other coronal and heliospheric datasets, including: the LASCO coronagraphs on SOHO (mainly C3), low-energy particles from Ulysses/HISCALE and ACE/EPAM and radio scintillation observations.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Tappin, S.J., Considerations for the Use of STEREO-HI Data for Astronomical Studies (2017) Astron. J. 153, 164.
Tappin, S.J., Eyles, C.J., and Davies, J.A., On the Long- Term Evolution of the Sensitivity of the STEREO HI-1 Cameras (2017), Solar Phys. 292, #28.
Tappin, S.J., Davies, J.A., Eyles, C.J. (2015) Determination of the Photometric Calibration and Large-Scale Flatfield of the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers: II. HI-2, Solar Phys., 290, 2143 , doi 10.1007/s11207-015-0737-5.
Howard, T. A.; Tappin, S.J.; Odstrcil, D.; DeForest, C. E. (2013) The Thomson Surface. III. Tracking Features in 3D, ApJ 765 #45 doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/765/1/45.
DeForest, C. E.; Howard, T. A.; Tappin, S.J. (2013) The Thomson Surface. II. Polarization, ApJ 765 #44 doi: 10.1088/0004- 637X/765/1/44.
Howard, T.A.; Tappin, S.J. (2009) Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Observed in the Heliosphere: 1. Review of Theory, SSR, 147, doi 10.1007/s11214-009-9542-5.
Tappin, S.J., Howard, T. A. (2009) Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Observed in the Heliosphere: 2. Model and Data Comparison, SSR, 147, 55 doi 10.1007/s11214-009- 9550 -5.
Lisa Vasquez
SwRI - Space Science & Engineering
PUNCH Administrative Coordinator
Education
Currently Working on BA in Business Management
Associates Degree in Business Administration, 1998
Professional Background
Sr Admin Coordinator, SwRI - Space Science & Engineering Dept., 2021-Present
Sr Admin Coordinator, Powertrain Engineering Department, 2018-2021
Admin Coordinator, Business Development Department, 2015-2017
PUNCH Role
Will provide extensive secretarial and administrative support to upper management and technical staff within the PUNCH Team.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Lisa has 25 years of administrative experience. She worked for the City of San Antonio City Clerk's Office and San Antonio Police Department as a Dispatcher and both jobs enabled me to multi-task under intense pressure.
Nick Waltham
STFC: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
PUNCH Camera Lead
Education
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Durham, UK, 1987
Physics Hons 2(1), University of Durham, UK, 1980
Professional Background
Professor FREng, Head of Imaging Systems Division, RAL Space, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, 1990-present
Deputy Director RAL Space, STFC Rutherford Appleton, Laboratory, 2015-present
RAL Space Chief Technologist, STFC Rutherford Appleton, Laboratory, 2015-present
CCD Detector Physicist and Electronics Engineer, Royal Greenwich Observatory, 1983-1989
PUNCH Role
Responsible for the design, development, manufacture, and qualification of the CCD camera and its front-end electronics.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Prof. Nick Waltham has served in the following roles:
Programme and R&D lead of the CMOS imaging camera for the EUV spectrograph (SPICE) on ESA's forthcoming Solar Orbiter mission.
STFC Project Director for the R&D of the camera electronics for the SUVI instrument on NOAA/NASA's GOES-R operational weather satellite.
STFC Project Director for the R&D of the camera electronics of the AIA and HMI instruments on NASA's SDO. Copies also for IRIS on NASA's SMEX mission.
STFC Project Director for the R&D of the camera electronics for the SECCHI instruments on NASA's STEREO.
Supporting Experience
Prof. Waltham is Head of the Imaging Systems Division of STFC's RAL Space Department and its Chief Technologist. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering with more than 35 years' experience in developing scientific CCD camera systems for space science, Earth observation and ground-based astronomy. His Division at RAL has 40 staff and is involved in the development of instrumentation, including optics, detectors, and electronics for space science, Earth and planetary remote sensing, and ground-based astronomy programmes with ESA, NASA and ESO.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Waltham, N., et al. (2010). Systems approach to the design of the CCD sensors and Camera electronics for the AIA and HMI instruments on Solar Dynamics Observatory, ESA Int. Conf. on Space Optics, Rhodes.
Eyles, C.J., et al. (2009). The Heliospheric Imagers Onboard the STEREO Mission, Solar Phys., 254: 387-445, doi:10.1007/s11207-008-9299-0.
Waltham, N.R. (2008). The design, development and performance of ASICs for space-borne CCD cameras, Proc. IAC 50th International Astronautical Congress, Glasgow.
Waltham, N.R., C. J. Eyles (2007). Design, development & performance of STEREO SECCHI CCD cameras, Proc. SPIE Optics and Photonics, San Diego, Vol. 6689-04.
William Wells
Southwest Research Institute
PUNCH Observatory SE
Education
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2006
Professional Background
Sr. Research Engineer, Space Science Department, Southwest Research institute, 2015-present
Research Engineer, Space Science Department, Southwest Research institute, 2009-2015
Engineer, Space Science Department, 2007-2009
PUNCH Role
Systems Engineering for the PUNCH Observatories.
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Mr. Wells has over 10 years of experience across payload, spacecraft, and mission systems engineering. He excels in requirements management, verification and validation. He architected and administrated the CYGNSS requirements database containing all spacecraft and payload requirements through level 5. He has led or contributed to a wide varietyof mission level analyses with a focus on orbital dynamics and constellation operations. He has AI&T experience across all levels from component, to spacecraft, to launch vehicle integration and is presently the Systems Engineering Lead for the CYGNSS Earth Venture mission.
Supporting Experience
Mr. Wells supported all phases of the CYGNSS mission from proposal through operations. He designed and optimized the separation sequence for the 8 CYGNSS observatories deployed from a single Launch Vehicle (LV) and worked with the LV provider to ensure that launch and separation performance met mission requirements. He chaired the CYGNSS Materials and Processes Control Board. He was a core member of the CYGNS AI&T and Launch & Early Operations teams. Over the past year he has supported all aspects of CYGNSS operations from routine day-to-day planning, development of new FSW capabilities, and anomaly resolution. Prior to CYGNSS Mr. Wells supported many aspects of the payload systems engineering effort for the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. He co- architected and administrated the requirements database and managed the mechanical interfaces for all instruments (22 unique interfaces). He led all aspects of the design and test of the MMS Instrument Suite Purge System (both ground and flight systems). He is highly proficient in AGI’s STK® for mission design and analyses as well the DOORS® requirements tool including custom DXL scripting.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
Rose, R., Wells, W., et al "NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) Mission – Temporal Resolution of a Constellation Enabled by Micro- Satellite Technology," in AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellite Logan, Logan, 2013.
Matthew West
Southwest Research Institute
Science Operations Center Developer
Education
Ph.D., Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London, 2008
MPhys, Physics with Planetary and Space Physics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2004
Professional Background
Senior Scientist, SwRI, 2020–Present
LUCI EUV Imager (Lagrange Mission), Royal Observatory of Belgium Technical lead, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium, 2017–2020
SCOPE Coronagraph Royal Observatory of Belgium Manager/Technical lead, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium, 2016–2020
PROBA2 Technical Coordinator, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium, 2016–2020
PROBA2 Liaison Scientist (Project Scientist), Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium, 2013–2020
Postdoctoral Researcher, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Belgium, 2008–2012
Cluster PEACE Instrument Operator, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL, UK, 2008–2008
Research Assistant, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, 2002–2003
PUNCH Role
Science Operations Center Developer
Experience Relevant to PUNCH
Dr. West previously managed and co-developed the operational observational requirements for the space-weather monitoring EUV imager on board the European Space Agency (ESA) deep space Lagrange mission, he also planned telemetry and pointing budgets, logistics (e.g. band-passes, fields-of-view, cadence, resolution, etc.) for a multiple band-pass instrument, utilizing the new European Space Agency laser communication system. Dr. West also led the development of onboard scientific software for ESAs prototype coronagraph SCOPE, he also planned and coordinated analysis of space weather forecaster requirements for the coronagraph.
Dr. West served as the PROBA2 Technical Coordinator, and Liaison scientist for the PROBA2 mission. In this position he led calibration and investigation of the PROBA2 instruments observing the solar atmosphere, planned and coordinated observations, operations, and analysis of spacecraft data. Whilst, using the instruments on PROBA2 to investigate large-scale coronal dynamics and middle corona.
Supporting Experience
Dr. West researches both the small and large-scale solar corona. His main science focus is on how energy can be liberated through solar eruptions, magnetic reconnection and drive space-weather. He has worked in both theoretical and observational areas of research, but primarily works on space-based instrument design. He's the co-founder of the Middle Corona working group, and his long-term goal is to develop new methods to probe the previously un-measurable properties of this region. Dr. West also has strong interests in coronal loops, space weather forecasting and how solar flares, EUV waves, dimmings and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) fit together.
Dr. West is a team leader in the COSPAR International Space Weather Action Teams (ISWAT) 3D CME Kinematics and Topology Team. He was awarded the Stefan Hepites prize Award from the Romanian Academy of Science in 2013, he received an Aberystwyth University Physics Department Award in 2000 and the Roxburgh award from the city of Bath in 1999. He's a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, UK and an Associate Member of the Institute of Physics.
Selected Publications Relevant to PUNCH
West, M.J., Kintziger, C., Haberreiter, M., Gyo, M., Berghmans, D., Gissot, S., and, ...: 2020, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 10, 49. doi:10.1051/swsc/2020052.
Hinrichs, J., Davies, J.A., West, M.J., Bothmer, V., Bourgoignie, B., Eyles, C.J., and, ...: 2021, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 11, 11. doi:10.1051/swsc/2020070.
Mason, J. P., Chamberlin, P. C., Seaton, D., … West, M.J. … et al. 2021, "SunCET: The Sun Coronal Ejection Tracker Concept." Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 11, 20. doi: 10.1051/swsc/2021004.
Middleton, K.F., Anwand, H., Bothmer, V., Davies, J.A., Earle, A., Ergenzinger, K., and, ...West, M.J… et al.: 2019, International Conference on Space Optics, 2018, 11180, 111803A. doi:10.1117/12.2536037.
O'Hara, J.P., Mierla, M., Podladchikova, O., D'Huys, E., and West, M.J.: 2019, The Astrophysical Journal, 883, 59. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ab3b08.
