Clyde Springen of Happily Retired

Systems that operate in the atmosphere above the inversion layer and in near-earth orbit have been limited to government funded efforts led by academic institutions, civilian space organizations like NASA & ESA or defense departments. The question is - how can someone with technical interest but a limited budget participates in these kinds of activities? Advances in software defined radios and standardized, small, modular spacecraft have enabled amateurs and citizen scientists to build and operate these systems. High altitude balloons and cube-sats have made these activities affordable and interacting with these systems is easier than ever, especially for those with some computer and electronics background. This talk will explore possibilities for using these technologies for the technical hobbyist, education, scientific research and informing the public.

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Biography:

Clyde Springen is a retired software, electrical and systems engineer and educator who spent the majority of his career in aerospace in the defense and space industries. This included positions at Texas Instruments, Lockheed Missiles and Space, Northrup Grumman and TEXTRON. In addition to full time industry work he also taught transferable college credit courses in Solar System and Stellar astronomy, Introduction to Engineering and Circuits courses as an Adjunct Professor of Astronomy and Engineering at Austin Community College. Clyde is a life member of the IEEE and serves as secretary to the life members group in Austin.

Email:

Address:Austin, Texas, United States,