Research Intern - Lidar Imaging Systems
Patuxent River, Maryland, United States
As part of my research at the Non-Maritime Sensing Branch through NREIP I worked to develop a new airborne LiDAR system. My initial project was to design and develop a lightweight LiDAR system for integration with a UAV system. Following completion I focused on evaluating the potential of NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite for monitoring pollution generated by international shipping. Utilizing data from the HARP2 (Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2) sensor, I developed a model that correlates aerosol concentrations with ship traffic density along major global shipping routes. The aim is to predict the locations of GPS-concealed vessels based on observed aerosol patterns, contributing to more accurate environmental monitoring and enforcement. This work not only underscores the importance of satellite data in combating pollution but also highlights the future potential of leveraging advanced space technology for sustainable maritime practices.