Technical Consultant, Retired from NASA and Sigma Space Corp, United States
🌟 Dr. John J. Degnan is a renowned physicist and laser expert with over six decades of groundbreaking work in laser theory and instrument design. He spent nearly 40 years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and played a pivotal role in advancing satellite laser ranging and Single Photon Lidars (SPLs) technology. As a co-founder of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), Dr. Degnan continues to make significant contributions to space science, with his work extending to NASA’s ICESat-2 mission. He is a fellow of Optica and the International Association for Geodesy, with a career decorated by numerous prestigious awards. 🌍💡
Publication Profile
ORCID
Education
🎓 Dr. Degnan completed his doctoral studies in physics, where his pioneering research led to the development of the first modelocked laser oscillator/regenerative amplifier. His work during his Ph.D. set the foundation for many of his future innovations in laser technology, including contributions that supported Einstein’s theory of relativity. 📚⚛️
Experience
🚀 Dr. Degnan’s career spans over 60 years, including nearly 40 years at NASA GSFC, where he developed highly accurate satellite laser ranging systems and innovative laser technology. He served as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Physics at The American University, co-founded the ILRS, and later became Chief Scientist at Sigma Space Corporation, pioneering advanced lidar systems for NASA’s ICESat-2 mission. He has also contributed to NASA’s deep space missions, such as OSIRIS-Rex. 🔭📡
Research Focus
🔬 Dr. Degnan’s research primarily focuses on laser technology, including optical antenna gain, Q-switched lasers, and millimeter-accuracy satellite laser ranging. His innovations in Single Photon Lidars (SPLs) have significantly enhanced high-data-rate topographic and bathymetric measurements, particularly from spacecraft and satellites. His work has extended the application of laser ranging and time transfer across the solar system. 🚀📊
Awards and Honors
🏆 Dr. Degnan’s stellar career has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the NASA Space Act Award, the ILRS SLR Pioneer Award, the Tsiolkovsky Medal, and the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been honored by Drexel University and recognized in the Marple Newtown School District Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to science and technology. 🏅✨
Publications
📚 Dr. Degnan has authored over 260 technical publications, contributing widely to laser physics, ranging technologies, and space missions. His widely cited theories have made a significant impact on the scientific community, and his work continues to influence innovations in satellite and laser technologies.
Evolution of Single Photon Lidar: From Satellite Laser Ranging to Airborne Experiments to ICESat-2
A Tutorial on Retroreflectors and Arrays Used in Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranging
Multipurpose Laser Instrument for Interplanetary Ranging, Time Transfer, and Wideband Communications <sup>†</sup>
The ILRS: approaching 20 years and planning for the future
NASA’s satellite laser ranging systems for the twenty-first century