Dr George Brydon
- Collaborative Research Fellow (School of Physics & Astronomy)
email:
George.Brydon@glasgow.ac.uk
Room 155, Physics and Astronomy, Kelvin Building
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4110-2025Biography
Overview
George Brydon is a research fellow at the University of Glasgow with a background in spaceborne imaging and the development of spaceborne cameras. He was previously a Space Situational Awareness Engineer at Astroscale, and prior to that completed his PhD – focussed on the simulation and development of spin-scanning cameras for planetary exploration – at University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory. During this time he was a member of the EnVisS hardware team for the Comet Interceptor mission.
Current Research
My research focusses on the development of imaging techniques and image payload concepts for conducting scientific imaging of planetary surfaces on future descent/ascent spacecraft. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Dr Divya Persaud in the University of Glasgow’s Geographical and Earth Sciences. This cross-discipline collaboration aims to centre both the consideration of imaging techniques and planetary geology capability in the research, and build new approaches to developing planetary science capabilities.
Small descent craft such as planetary penetrators or balloon probes offer alternatives to the orbiters and landed platforms (such as rovers) traditionally used for planetary exploration. Additionally, drones and helicopters, such as NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, will make up the next generation of planetary science craft, allowing planetary surfaces to be viewed from new perspectives as the craft descends, ascends and traverses over the landscape. Our research focusses on characterising, developing and demonstrating the value of conducting scientific imaging from these spacecraft, and the importance of its inclusion on future planetary missions.
