Space is the final frontier, but the path around the Earth is becoming an increasingly busy cosmic highway.
With the number of satellites traveling around the Earth expected to increase by tens of thousands in the next decade, the work of scientists to properly locate these satellites is extremely important. At least that is the view of Dr. George Landon, professor of computer science at Cedarville University, who was recently named a fellow with the United States Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship.
Landon will spend eight weeks this summer at the Center for Space Situational Awareness Research at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will research unresolved satellite characterization that will allow scientists and space exploration leaders to identify unknown objects in Earth’s orbit.
The area around the Earth is constantly monitored and photographed, revealing unspecified objects as points of light. Landon will be using artificial intelligence and cataloged data to design new ways to turn those dots into identifiable images.
“Discovering what these objects are, where they are going and what they do is important,” said Landon. It aids in the avoidance of collisions, maps the frontier and could provide important intelligence information.
Throughout his career, Landon has conducted extensive research in 3D scanning and graphic development for photorealism in video games and simulations, skills that transfer to his new role. “Computer science and the modeling of physics work on the same principles regardless of whether you are working on a video game or contributing to the science of astronomy,” he explained.
His summer space research will help his teaching at Cedarville University. The eight-week program will provide him with key insight into computer science initiatives that he can relay to his students.
“Sometimes students have a narrow understanding of where and how they can use their degree, having diverse real-world experiences to share with them expands their horizons concerning career opportunities,” said Landon. “This summer experience will help me better communicate in classes so my students can grasp new concepts that are evolving daily.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including a BS in computer science, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.