Paul Lightsey
has more than 50 years’ experience in Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering in optical systems analysis and design. He was the Chief Engineer for the Webb Space Telescope program at Ball, and a member of the NASA Mission Systems Engineering Optical Leads for Webb. He has contributed to all phases of development from new business through design, fabrication, alignment, test, calibration, and on-orbit operations while at Ball. Dr. Lightsey has extensive experience working on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) instruments and was the System Engineer for the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). He developed a system optical performance model for design analysis of COSTAR, the corrective optics for the Hubble Space Telescope. This model includes modeling of structural dynamics and thermal effects on the imaging performance and was also used for design analysis of NICMOS, STIS, and Webb. Dr. Lightsey has experience in modeling optical propagation through the atmosphere, atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation, pointing and tracking systems, and spacecraft orbit and attitude analyses. Dr. Lightsey was a professor of physics and mathematics for 14 years with an eclectic background covering low-temperature solid state physics, sports mechanics, and environmental sciences. He has taught in the Johns Hopkins University Masters of Science in Systems Engineering program; SPIE short courses; and internal courses at Ball. Dr. Lightsey received his BS in Physics with High Distinction from Colorado State University in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1972. In 2003 he received the William H. Follett, Jr. Award for Excellence in System Engineering, the Distinguished Public Service Medal from NASA in 2007, and in 2022 he received the Gabe Award for continuous outstanding professional achievement at Ball. He has served on NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Executive Committee. He is a Senior Member of OSA and is an SPIE Fellow.
Jonathan Arenberg
is currently the Chief Engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems and has been with the company since 1989. He started his career at Hughes Aircraft Company. His work experience includes optical, space and laser systems. Dr. Arenberg has worked on such astronomical programs as the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope and helped develop the New Worlds Observer concept for the imaging of extra-solar planets. He has worked on major high-energy and tactical laser systems, laser component engineering and metrology issues. He is a member of the ISO sub-committee charged with writing standards for laser and electro-optic systems and components, SPIE, American Astronomical Society and AIAA. Dr. Arenberg holds a BS in physics (1983) and an MS (1985) and PhD (1987) in engineering, all from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of over 100 conference presentations and publications, and holds 1 European and 11 U.S. Patents in a wide variety of areas of technology. Dr. Arenberg is a member of the SPIE Distinguished Speakers program.
Paul Lightsey
has more than 50 years’ experience in Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering in the area of optical systems analysis and design. He is currently the Chief Engineer for the Webb Space Telescope program at Ball, and a member of the NASA Mission Systems Engineering Optical Leads for Webb. He has contributed to all phases of development from new business through design, fabrication, alignment, test, calibration, and on-orbit operations while at Ball. Dr. Lightsey has extensive experience working on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) instruments and was the System Engineer for the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). He developed a system optical performance model for design analysis of COSTAR, the corrective optics for the Hubble Space Telescope. This model includes modeling of structural dynamics and thermal effects on the imaging performance and was also used for design analysis of NICMOS, STIS, and Webb. Dr. Lightsey has experience in modeling optical propagation through the atmosphere, atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation, pointing and tracking systems, and spacecraft orbit and attitude analyses. Before coming to Ball, Dr. Lightsey was a professor of physics and mathematics for 14 years with an eclectic background covering low-temperature solid state physics, sports mechanics, and environmental sciences. He has taught in the Johns Hopkins University Masters of Science in Systems Engineering program; SPIE system engineering short courses; and internal courses at Ball. Dr. Lightsey received his BS in Physics with High Distinction from Colorado State University in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1972. In 2003 he received the William H. Follett, Jr. Award for Excellence in System Engineering, and in 2007 he received the Distinguished Public Service Medal from NASA. He currently serves on NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Executive Committee. He is a Senior Member of OSA and is a SPIE Fellow.
Jonathan Arenberg
is currently the Chief Engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems and has been with the company since 1989. He started his career at Hughes Aircraft Company. His work experience includes optical, space and laser systems. Dr. Arenberg has worked on such astronomical programs as the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope and helped develop the New Worlds Observer concept for the imaging of extra-solar planets. He has worked on major high-energy and tactical laser systems, laser component engineering and metrology issues. He is a member of the ISO sub-committee charged with writing standards for laser and electro-optic systems and components, SPIE, American Astronomical Society and AIAA. Dr. Arenberg holds a BS in physics (1983) and an MS (1985) and PhD (1987) in engineering, all from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of over 100 conference presentations and publications, and holds 1 European and 11 U.S. Patents in a wide variety of areas of technology. Dr. Arenberg is a member of the SPIE Distinguished Speakers program.
