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About

Heather Cowardin is a researcher at NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office at Johnson Space Center, where her work focuses on the optical characterization and physical properties of orbital debris in Earth's orbit. Her research sits at the intersection of observational astronomy and space situational awareness, employing both ground-based telescopic observations and laboratory-based experimental techniques to better understand the growing population of human-made objects in space. Cowardin's most influential contribution, cited 22 times, involves developing laboratory methodologies at NASA's Optical Measurements Center to replicate space illumination conditions and characterize the photometric properties of debris objects — work that directly improves the accuracy of ground-based telescopic modeling. Her subsequent research on tumbling rocket bodies, cited 16 times, has supported Active Debris Removal planning efforts by helping determine the rotation rates of massive intact objects in low Earth orbit. She has also pioneered multi-analytical approaches to debris characterization, combining complementary techniques to more comprehensively identify and assess spacecraft and debris risks. Collectively, her research contributes meaningfully to protecting both crewed and robotic spacecraft from collision hazards, advancing NASA's broader mission of maintaining a sustainable orbital environment.