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About

Matthew D. Hejduk is a leading authority in space situational awareness and orbital safety, best known for his foundational work on NASA’s Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis (CARA) program. His research focuses on developing operational frameworks and analytical methods to protect robotic spacecraft from on-orbit collisions, a critical challenge in an increasingly congested space environment. Hejduk’s major contributions include co-authoring the evolution and implementation of NASA’s CARA Concept of Operations, which established the protocols for real-time risk communication and decision-making during close approach events. He also pioneered uncertainty-based screening volume methodologies for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) assets, balancing detection sensitivity with false alarm rates to improve operational efficiency. His work on predicting space weather effects on conjunction events further advanced the field by integrating environmental factors into risk assessment. With over 20 citations across his most influential papers, Hejduk’s research directly shapes how NASA and the broader space community manage collision risk, ensuring safer and more responsible use of shared orbital resources. His achievements underscore a career dedicated to operationalizing complex astrodynamics for real-world mission protection.