research<\/a> activities at UCF.<\/p>\nDamodaran is now one of 18 researchers in the U.S. selected for Phase I of NASA\u2019s 2026 Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. The nine-month, $175,000 award funds early development of technologies that demonstrate transformative potential and possible feasibility for eventual implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the opportunity to explore such a bold idea at its earliest stage, and to do so with the support of NASA and the NIAC community, is both professionally and personally inspiring,\u201d Damodaran says.<\/p>\n
The concept is known as PHOENIX \u2014 short for Photonics-Enabled Heterodyne Submillimeter\/Far-Infrared Interferometer.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX proposes using advanced photonic technologies to connect up to 25 spacecraft into a powerful space-based interferometer. Working together, the spacecraft could effectively function as a much larger telescope, capable of producing ultra-high-resolution observations at submillimeter and far-infrared wavelengths.<\/p>\n
The project also brings together expertise in astronomy, photonics and space instrumentation from UCF and NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This includes CREOL Pegasus Professor Peter Delfyett; CREOL professors Guifang Li and Stephen Eikenberry; Florida Space Institute researcher Julie Brisset; College of Sciences Professor Yan Fernandez; and JPL researchers Jacob Kooi and Jonathan Kawamura.<\/p>\n
Jumpstarting a New Wave of Space Technology<\/h2>\n Some of the most important stages in the evolution of the universe are also among the most difficult to observe. Stars, planets and galaxies often form from cold gas and dust that are invisible to the human eye.<\/p>\n
Falling between infrared and radio wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, submillimeter astronomy gives scientists a window into this otherwise hidden universe.<\/p>\n
But observing these phenomena at extremely high resolution requires capabilities that are difficult to achieve with a conventional space telescope. A single telescope with an aperture measuring tens or even hundreds of meters would face significant launch constraints. Dividing that observing power across multiple smaller satellites presents its own challenges, including precisely synchronizing the spacecraft, and processing and transmitting the enormous amounts of data they collect.<\/p>\nThe PHOENIX system is designed to observe previously hidden phenomena at extremely high resolutions. It will use optical frequency combs and integrated photonic circuits to provide the precise timing, positioning and signal processing needed for the distributed telescopes to operate together as a single instrument.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWhile existing facilities can detect cold gas and dust associated with planet formation, star formation, and galaxy evolution, they cannot directly resolve many of the critical structures where these processes occur,\u201d Damodaran says.<\/p>\n
Seeing the Universe in New Detail<\/h2>\n PHOENIX could also provide new insights into how stars form within dense, dust-enshrouded environments. By combining high-resolution imaging with spectroscopy \u2014 an observation technique that uses light to analyze the chemical composition of matter \u2014 the observatory concept could allow astronomers to examine how turbulence, gravity and gas dynamics interact where stars form.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most exciting applications would be the direct observation of planet formation in protoplanetary disks around young stars,\u201d Damodaran says, referring to the rotating disks of gas and dust which form planets. \u201cPHOENIX could resolve structures on scales comparable to the size of the inner solar system \u2014 allowing scientists to observe how water, water ice, molecular gas and dust are assembled into planets, identify the signatures of newly forming worlds, and investigate the conditions that lead to potentially habitable planetary systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a larger scale, observations of gas and dust within distant galaxies could help researchers examine how star formation and supermassive black holes have influenced galaxy evolution over billions of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most exciting applications would be the direct observation of planet formation in protoplanetary disks around young stars.\u201d \u2014 Anish Roshi Damodaran, Florida Space Institute professor<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Testing an Ambitious Idea<\/h2>\n The nine-month Phase I study represents an early step toward determining whether that vision could eventually become technically achievable. Rather than building the observatory itself, Damodaran and his collaborators will use the NIAC award to develop a more detailed mission architecture, identify critical enabling technologies, evaluate performance requirements, assess technology readiness and further define the scientific capabilities PHOENIX could provide.<\/p>\nYoung planetary systems form within rotating disks of superheated dust and gas, primordial environments that researchers hope to observe with unprecedented clarity through concepts just like Damodaran’s PHOENIX system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFollowing his selection, Damodaran attended the NIAC orientation and symposium, where he met other NIAC fellows and learned about the range of early-stage concepts being pursued through the NASA program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways, the process feels like undertaking a second Ph.D. thesis,\u201d Damodaran says. \u201cIt requires questioning assumptions, exploring alternative approaches, identifying critical technology gaps and developing a compelling scientific case. As a scientist and instrument developer, I find that immensely rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Future Stages of NASA\u2019s NIAC Program<\/h2>\n NASA\u2019s NIAC program supports visionary aerospace concepts through progressive phases of study. Eligible Phase I recipients can propose for Phase II, which provides up to $750,000 for two years of further concept development and requires researchers to prepare a roadmap for continued development.<\/p>\n
Phase III provides up to $2 million for another two years of exploration and development, with the goal of strategically transitioning concepts with the highest potential impact for NASA, other government agencies or commercial partners. NASA plans to make six to eight Phase II awards and one Phase III award annually.<\/p>\n
The PHOENIX project is supported by a $175,000 Phase I award through NASA\u2019s Innovative Advanced Concepts program. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Senior scientist Anish Roshi Damodaran received a $175,000 NASA award to investigate a virtual telescope concept that could reveal planet formation and the early universe in unprecedented detail.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8713,"featured_media":156186,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[5,23,24],"tags":[55115,364,981,982,1775,5390,14916,55095],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-156184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colleges","category-research","category-science-technology","tag-anish-damodaran","tag-astronomy","tag-college-of-optics-and-photonics","tag-college-of-sciences","tag-florida-space-instit","tag-optics-and-photonics","tag-research","tag-ucf-space-week"],"yoast_head":"\n
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