Meghan K Quadrino

Title: Meghan K. Quadrino: Innovator in Attitude Determination Systems

Introduction

Meghan K. Quadrino is a prominent inventor based in Cambridge, MA (US). She has made significant contributions to the field of attitude determination systems, particularly through her innovative use of infrared Earth horizon sensors. With a total of 2 patents, her work is paving the way for advancements in small spacecraft technology.

Latest Patents

Meghan's latest patents focus on systems and methods for attitude determination using infrared Earth horizon sensors (EHSs) with Gaussian response characteristics. These patents describe how attitude information is acquired by detecting Earth's infrared electromagnetic radiation. The process involves determining the region obscured by Earth in the sensors' fields of view to compute a nadir vector estimation in the spacecraft's body frame. This method can be applied when two sensors, each with known and distinct pointing directions, detect the horizon, which is defined as having their fields of view partially obscured by Earth. The compact implementation of this method provides high-accuracy attitude determination within small spacecraft, such as CubeSat-based satellites.

Career Highlights

Meghan K. Quadrino is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she continues to innovate and contribute to her field. Her work has garnered attention for its practical applications in aerospace technology.

Collaborations

Some of her notable coworkers include Tam Nguyen Thuc Nguyen and Kerri Cahoy, who collaborate with her on various projects related to attitude determination systems.

Conclusion

Meghan K. Quadrino's contributions to the field of attitude determination using infrared Earth horizon sensors highlight her innovative spirit and dedication to advancing aerospace technology. Her work is instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of small spacecraft, making her a key figure in the industry.