Welcome

Dr. Glenn Lightsey's research group provides an algorithmic and hardware based education in Orbital Mechanics.   We design, improve, and use sensor avionics and emerging technologies such as the Global Positioning System for spacecraft navigation, guidance, attitude determination, and science.  We also build space flight hardware experiments such as nanosatellites, suborbital rockets, and balloon payloads.  

News

Dr. Andreas Mogensen selected as Astronaut

Congratulations to Andy Mogensen, one of our very own alumni, who has been selected as an astronaut by the European Space Agency.  Andy was picked as one of only six new European astronauts from thousands of applications.  Andy is a citizen of Denmark and the first Danish Astronaut.  As a new astronaut, Andy may have the opportunity to work on the International Space Station by 2013.

Andy received his Ph.D. from UT-Austin in 2007 on the topic "Real-Time Navigation for Mars Final Approach using the Mars Network." His research focused on two-way Doppler measurements using radio transceivers between spacecraft as a means to provide precise navigation during a satellite's final approach to Mars.  While at Austin, he was also a member of the Austin Mars Society, and an avid rugby player.

Since his graduation from UT-Austin, Andy has held engineering positions at Astrium (Germany) and Surrey Space Centre (UK). 

We are very proud of Andy's achievement as our newest Longhorn Astronaut!  Congratulations to Andy and Hook'em Horns!

For more information on Andy's Bio at UT-Austin, click here.  For a press release discussing Andy's astronaut selection, click here.