Dr. Vishnu Viswanathan

Center for Space Science and Technology

He/Him/His/Himself

About

I am a research scientist jointly at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. I led several NASA R&D projects and founded the Goddard Lunar Data Analysis Center. I am an expert in the high-precision modeling of dynamic physical systems, and I use various tracking data like laser, radio, images, and their derivatives to optimize these models.

Research interests

Dr. Vishnu Viswanathan’s research is focused on the analysis of tracking data to determine geophysical, orbital and rotational properties of planetary bodies.

Education

  • Ph D, Astronomy and Astrophysics — PSL Research University (2017)
    Improving the dynamical model of the Moon using lunar laser ranging and spacecraft data
  • MS, Space Systems Engineering — National School of Aeronautics and Space Engineering (2013)
    Emulation of Geostationary Channel using Software Defined Radio Platform
  • Other, Electronics and Communication — National Institute of Technology (2011)

Presentations

  • Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) Realization of Reference Frame 2026 2nd Joint ICG-IOAG Multilateral Cislunar PNT Workshop · United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs · Oral Presentation

Grants and Contracts

  • Independent Measurement of Saturn's Dissipation Using Cassini Astrometric Data 2021 NASA HQ · Grant · Funded Vishnu Viswanathan (Principal), Sander J Goossens (Co-Principal), Erwan Mazarico (Co-Principal), Marc Neveu (Co-Principal)