Faculty and Staff
Doug Olsen
Doug Olsen is the Associate Director (Acting) for the
Center for People and the Environment (CP&E) at the University of North
Dakota. As Associate Director, he oversees activities of the Geospatial Laboratory,
manages airborne sensor operations, and helps direct website development and various
other elements of the Center.
Doug is also Project Manager for several sensor and technology development activities
within the Center. For these, primary efforts currently are directed towards development
of the Agricultural
Camera (AgCam), a multi-spectral imaging system designed for installation
and operation onboard the International Space Station. Along with program direction
responsibilities (schedule, budget, NASA deliverables) areas of expertise include
sensor characterization and calibration, mechanical and electrical systems engineering,
space operations within a crewed environment, and semi-autonomous ground control
systems development and operation. Since 2001 Doug has led development of the AgCam
project, coordinating contributions of over 40 graduate and undergraduate students
from Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Space
Studies as well as faculty from each of these departments.
As Adjunct Faculty for the Space Studies Department, Doug serves as external advisor
for Space Studies graduate students participating in AgCam. Research topics to date
have included NASA flight safety onboard the International Space Station, orbital
prediction and ground mission planning using Satellite Toolkit, and applying human
factors to improve ground systems reliability. Additional involvement by Space Studies
students is expected as AgCam and its ground control Science Operations Center move
towards launch and operational capability.
Doug has over 25 years experience in aerospace, ranging from civilian and military
aircraft development to spacecraft and science instrument design, development, and
test. He holds an M.S. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota and
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University. He also has
an Adjunct Faculty appointment in UND's Electrical Engineering Department. In addition
to spacecraft and space ground systems, his research areas of interest include science
instrument calibration and characterization, sensor networks, and agricultural applications
of remote sensing.
Doug and his wife Patty live in Grand Forks with their two children.
