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
