Research & Development
Cross-functionally building the hardware and software systems for advance aerospace control.
What We Do
Our Advanced Development Group brings expertise from multiple engineering disciplines to resolve issues that allow the aerospace industry to truly reach for the stars.
Some of our current active areas of research are Optical Laser Communications, Thermal Adaptive Optics systems, Systems Identification methods, Hybrid RF/Optical systems, and more.
Some of our current active areas of research are Optical Laser Communications, Thermal Adaptive Optics systems, Systems Identification methods, Hybrid RF/Optical systems, and more.
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Our Recent Projects
Click on each project below to learn more about what we did to drive it to success.
Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal (SCOUT)
Relative Dynamics is developing the Space Communications Optical Universal Terminal (SCOUT). SCOUT is an affordable and competitive communications payload with significant user operability.
The goal for SCOUT is to provide communication technology for a wide range of missions where there are limitations on size, weight, power and cost. These include satellite-to-satellite, satellite-to-Earth, planetary lander-to-Earth, and planetary lander/orbiter communications.
The goal for SCOUT is to provide communication technology for a wide range of missions where there are limitations on size, weight, power and cost. These include satellite-to-satellite, satellite-to-Earth, planetary lander-to-Earth, and planetary lander/orbiter communications.
Employee Spotlight
Phil Caffo
Deputy Ground Systems Manager
SEAS II
SEAS II
Here at Relative Dynamics, I am currently the Deputy Ground System Manager supporting the ESMO GSM in maintaining a continuous operational foundation for the Terra, Aqua, Aura, GPM, ICESat-2, and PACE missions. Relative Dynamics provided an unmissable opportunity to advance my career at NASA.
Working at NASA is a dream come true. It is an amazing honor to have an opportunity to support these satellite missions and Science writ large.
Working at NASA is a dream come true. It is an amazing honor to have an opportunity to support these satellite missions and Science writ large.
Diane Ngo
Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
AT RD, I do mechanical design for our optical communication terminals and any lab work associated with it. One of my current projects is an optical communication terminal on a drone to be able to communicate with a ground terminal. I love the research and development environment, as well as aerospace.
What excites me most about my work is the freedom to express my creativity in engineering and the ability to work with friendly, like-minded individuals. It is a great immersive environment and with state-of-the-art technology, there is always something new to learn.
What excites me most about my work is the freedom to express my creativity in engineering and the ability to work with friendly, like-minded individuals. It is a great immersive environment and with state-of-the-art technology, there is always something new to learn.
Tia Brittingham
ROC II Quality Assurance Analyst
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Here at Relative Dynamics, I am a Quality Analyst. My responsibility is to perform audits for the Range Launches, Missions, Projects, and Service Areas to ensure that we are meeting our Customer Requirements and ISO Standards.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on the NG-18 Rocket Launch to the space center to refuel supplies there. I was sitting in the Range Control Center watching and listening to the launch sequence count down and experiencing the rocket launch up close. This was an amazing experience for me, and I do plan to sit in on more launches in the near future.
This year I will be conducting an audit on this Launch/Mission, and I am so excited to do so being that this was my first launch to space that I was able to see in person.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on the NG-18 Rocket Launch to the space center to refuel supplies there. I was sitting in the Range Control Center watching and listening to the launch sequence count down and experiencing the rocket launch up close. This was an amazing experience for me, and I do plan to sit in on more launches in the near future.
This year I will be conducting an audit on this Launch/Mission, and I am so excited to do so being that this was my first launch to space that I was able to see in person.
Kevin Heesh
Electro-Optical Engineer
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
At RD, I perform Optical and Fiber Optical system integration and testing, Optical Communication Terminal testing and integration, and Internal Research and Design for Compact Optical Laser Terminal (CoLT) UAV payload.
The diverse optical technical challenges is what attracted me to work at RD. Cutting edge optical technology and making things work keeps my work exciting.
The diverse optical technical challenges is what attracted me to work at RD. Cutting edge optical technology and making things work keeps my work exciting.
Dr. Michael Krainak
Chief Technology Officer
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
Advanced Development Group (ADG)
As Chief Technology Officer (CTO), I manage, develop and enhance the Internal Research & Development portfolio, people, projects, funding (won 10 SBIR grants > $3.5M), proposals, laboratories and equipment. Primary focus is the development of commercial optical communication terminals for use in terrestrial, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), High Altitude Platform (HAP) and satellite markets.
The type of work and opportunity to lead hardware product development efforts was one of the main attractions for me at RD.
The type of work and opportunity to lead hardware product development efforts was one of the main attractions for me at RD.
