Changing the Way We See the World
Microwave Remote Sensing Instruments at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Jeffrey R. Piepmeier
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Harris Engineering Center 101

Abstract:

Microwave radiometers and radars allow humans to view the world at invisible wavelengths and their use affects our daily lives. For example, satellite radiometers measure daily atmospheric moisture, temperature and clouds that are used to forecast the weather, and radar images of rain and wind velocity are common place on the evening news. Engineers and scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing microwave remote sensing instruments (operating: 1 GHz to 1 THz) for observing the Earth's lands, oceans, and atmosphere. Using these instruments as a launching point, the design, development, and scientific use of microwave instruments will be discussed. Ever wonder what it takes to put an instrument in space? Find out how two UCF graduate students are having an impact now.

Bio:

Jeffrey R. Piepmeier Ph.D. (1999) & M.S. in electrical engineering - Georgia Tech, joined the Microwave Instrument Technology Branch at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (1999) where, he has been principle investigator on several technology development projects in microwave radiometry. In 2002, he was a NASA Earth Science New Investigator and led the Hydros radiometer team during 2004-2005. He received the NASA/GSFC Exceptional Achievement Award and Technology Advancement Award (2005 & 2007), and currently, he is Calibration Lead Engineer for the NASA Aquarius radiometer. Dr. Piepmeier is a member of IEEE, URSI (Commission F), and the American Geophysical Union, and he serves as vice-chair of the National Academies' Committee on Radio Frequencies.