Bridging the gap between laboratory-based experiments and spectrally resolved observations.
A Message from the VOLTRON Organizers:
In the VOLTRON meeting series, we aim to bridge the gap between laboratory-based experiments and spectrally resolved observations of resident space objects with the intent of determining the limits, practicality, and exploitability of color photometry and spectroscopy as an SDA tool. A strong lineup of speakers is starting to form and we would love to include your voice in the discussion. We are pleased to invite you to present your research related to the fields of laboratory-based materials measurements, modeling of the reflective properties of spacecraft, and on-sky spectral or photometric observations of resident space objects.
With many gatherings canceled in the past year, we aim to keep the meeting in a hybrid format. In-person participants will meet at the campus of the University of Arizona and a link for the virtual meeting will be sent out to the registered participants before the meeting.
Mission Statement
In the VOLTRON Meeting series, we aim to bridge the gap between laboratory-based experiments and spectrally resolved observations of resident space objects with the intent of determining the limits, practicality, and exploitability of color photometry and spectroscopy as a Space Domain Awareness (SDA) tool. We are inviting scientists, DoD researchers at the 6.1 basic research level, engineers, and industrial collaborators from the areas of laboratory-based materials measurements, modeling of the reflective properties of spacecraft, and on-sky spectral or photometric observations of resident space objects to discuss recent advances in these fields.
Background
The VOLTRON Meeting started in 2020 with the goal of fostering communication with all parties interested in developing color-resolved observations of spacecraft as an SDA tool. It is not sponsored by anyone and is a free event for anyone interested. The 1st VOLTRON Meeting was organized by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ~ 50 participants got together in-person to present and discuss new progress in the fields of color photometry and spectroscopy for remote observation of man-made space objects, mathematical modeling, machine learning, and material radiation interaction.
In 2021, the 2nd VOLTRON Meeting was co-organized by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate. It was held in a completely virtual format due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The number of participants has increased to ~ 100, and with the gaining traction in the community, the proceedings from the 2021 Meeting were published as a Special Issue of The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences [“Emerging Techniques in Space Domain Awareness”, ISSN: 0021-9142 (Print) 2195-0571 (Online)]. The Special Issue is intended to assist with building awareness of the scientific and technical problems being addressed by the VOLTRON attendees while promoting the leading work of the researchers at the forefront of emerging SDA techniques.
In 2022, the VOLTRON organizing committee is chaired by Dr. Elena Plis (GTRI) and hosted by Dr. Vishnu Reddy (University of Arizona). Mr. Ryan Hoffmann from the Space Vehicles Directorate is also on the committee as part of his work with AFOSR. The 3rd VOLTRON Meeting (March 9-11, 2022) is being planned as an in-person event with virtual attendance options. Currently, we have 60 people registered with about half attending virtually.
If you need to contact the meeting organizers, please fill out this contact form. One of the organizers will get back to you as soon as possible.