Matthew Phelps

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Matthew Phelps is a leading innovator in space domain awareness, with a focus on developing agile, autonomous systems for satellite tracking and orbital monitoring. His most cited work introduces a groundbreaking concept for a mobile, off-grid robotic observatory—a fully self-contained, rapidly deployable 1-meter aperture telescope with a 3-degree field of view. This system leverages cutting-edge commercial instrumentation to enable real-time satellite orbit cataloging and close-approach detection, even in remote or contested environments. By prioritizing mobility and autonomy, Phelps’s design addresses critical gaps in traditional fixed observatory networks, offering a scalable solution for both military and civilian space traffic management. His contributions have garnered attention for their potential to enhance global space security, with his 2024 paper already cited 3 times as a foundational reference in the field. Phelps’s work exemplifies how commercial off-the-shelf technology can be repurposed for high-stakes defense and scientific applications, making him a key figure in the next generation of space surveillance.