Dr. Palo’s research focuses on space‑based communications, sensing, and spectrum utilization, with an emphasis on resilient, flight‑validated technologies for studying the Earth’s upper atmosphere and near‑space environment. His work integrates theory, experimentation, and on‑orbit demonstration to advance both fundamental understanding and operational space systems. He has extensive experience developing and operating small satellite and CubeSat missions, as well as complementary ground‑based radar and radio systems, to investigate atmospheric, ionospheric, and space weather phenomena. Dr. Palo has played leading roles in CubeSat missions including QB50, which examined lower thermosphere dynamics using a distributed constellation; MinXSS, which measured solar soft X‑ray irradiance and its impacts on the upper atmosphere; CIRBE, which studied radiation belt dynamics following geomagnetic storms; and additional missions such as MAXWELL and SWARM‑EX, spanning mission design through flight operations. In addition to space‑based platforms, Dr. Palo leads the Zephyr multistatic meteor radar project, which uses distributed radar transmitters and receivers to measure meteor trajectories and infer winds and dynamics in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, providing a ground‑based complement to satellite observations. Dr. Palo also serves as Associate Director of SpectrumX, the NSF Spectrum Innovation Initiative, where he provides leadership in national research coordination and strategic planning at the intersection of engineering, spectrum science, and policy. Across his research activities, he emphasizes student mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technology translation, helping position the University of Colorado Boulder as a national leader in space systems and spectrum research.
keywords
Small satellite design CubeSat systems Space mission design Space systems engineering Meteor radar systems Meteor science Ionosphere–mesosphere–thermosphere (IMT) physics Upper atmospheric dynamics Space weather Aeronomy Space-based remote sensing Ground-based remote sensing Radio science instrumentation Scientific payload development Spaceflight instrumentation Radio spectrum management Spectrum monitoring from space Space-based radar and radio systems
ASEN 3300 - Aerospace Electronics and Communications
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2025
Provides the fundamentals of electronics and communications widely used in aerospace engineering. Includes analog instrumentation electronics, data acquisition, digital electronics and radio communication.
ASEN 5018 - Graduate Projects I
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024 / Spring 2025
Exposes MS and PhD students to project management and systems engineering disciplines while working a complex aerospace engineering project as part of a project team. The project team may perform some or all of the following project activities during this first semester of the two-semester course sequence: requirements, definition, design and design review, build, test, and verification. Recommended prerequisite: ASEN 4138 or ASEN 5148 or ASEN 5158 or instructor consent required.
ASEN 6028 - Graduate Projects II
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024 / Spring 2025
Exposes MS and PhD students to leadership positions in project management and systems engineering while working a complex aerospace engineering project as part of a project team. The project team may perform some or all of the following project activities during this second semester of the two-semester course sequence: requirements definition, design and design review, build, test, and verification. Recommended prerequisite: ASEN 4138 or ASEN 5148 or ASEN 5018 or ASEN 5158 or instructor consent required.
ASEN 6949 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
