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OSSC Meeting - Miniature Space: The Future of Small Satellites

About this event

WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2026 @ 6PM

In-Person Meeting Only


Miniature Space: The Future of Small Satellites

 Dr. Charles D. Norton

Deputy Chief Technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech


6:00 pm: In-Person Reception
6:45 pm: Dinner
7:15 pm: OSSC Business
8:00 pm: Technical Presentation

Dinner Fee
Members: $40, Non-Members: $50, Student Members: $10
Late Fees of $10, after 11:59 pm April 3
(No Fee for attending without dinner)



Registration Required
Online Registration until Tuesday April 7, 2026

Download Meeting Announcement


Abstract:  Large Flagship missions are a cornerstone of NASA’s approach to explore the deepest questions across the universe at large, fundamentally advancing human knowledge from the vantage point of space. And while such missions will remain key to NASA’s exploration strategy, they often require long development timelines, great expense, and trade-o?s of new technological capability in favor of heritage approaches that minimize risk to maximize the probability of mission success. The agency has also adopted small satellites as part of creating a balanced portfolio of missions to increase the rate of science return, grow the number of new investigators, and to advance new technologies for future use in innovative and disruptive ways. We will review the success and impact of small satellites for robotic exploration of the universe and explore where the future of these systems may be headed. 



About Our Speaker:
Dr. Charles D. Norton is the Deputy Chief Technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, responsible for JPL’s technology strategic planning, research, and infusion into flight missions. Across his nearly 30-year career he has led and performed research and flight mission development spanning high-performance scientific computing, information and instrument systems technology, and small satellite science and technology. Charles has served on numerous committees for the National Academies, co-authoring reports on large strategic missions to remote sensing with small satellites. His recognitions include the JPL Lew Allen Award, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Software of the Year, and the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal. He is also an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics




You must be an OSSC Student Member to receive the meal discount. Student Members are Individual Members who are currently enrolled in school at least part-time and are not working full-time.  Please email Russell Rauch (Memberships@ossc.org) to update your membership type if needed.




Date and Time

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:00 PM until 9:30 PM

Location

Samueli Academy
Samueli Academy
1901 N Fairview St
Santa Ana, CA  92706
USA
714-619-0245

Contacts(s)

Russell Rauch
Membership Chair (Registration & Student Issues)
(626) 833-1046 (p)


Robert F Cartland
Webmaster (Technical Issues)
626-485-4148 (c)

Category

OSSC Regular Meeting

Registration Info

Registration is temporarily unavailable
Payment in Full In Advance Or At Event
CODE OF CONDUCT: Attendees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at OSSC events. Violation of this code of conduct may result in exclusion from future OSSC events and/or the suspension or termination of OSSC membership.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY: You, as an Attendee of the event, agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Optical Society of Southern California, Inc. and their respective officers, directors, members, employees, agents, and others associated with this event from and against any and all liabilities, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and from any and all liability for any acts, omissions or occurrences which may result, directly or indirectly, in injury to the Attendee, or Attendee's personal property, as a result of participation in or association with the event, including travel to and from the event.

CONSENT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED: Your registration, attendance and/or presence at this event, constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you and by your attendance. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not attend this event.
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Monday, April 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Cancellation Policy:
Please let the Arrangements Chair (Events@ossc.org) know as soon as possible if you need to cancel.

Payments made in advance will normally be issued a credit that may be applied to future payments (membership or events). Please contact the Treasurer (Treasurer@ossc.org) if this posses a problem.

Member's typical receive a meal discount. Non-members may join OSSC to receive the discount.

MEMBERS - REMEMBER TO LOG IN BEFORE REGISTERING.
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