UGA Alumnus's Laser Instrument Returns from Historic Artemis II Mission
An instrument designed by a University of Georgia graduate is returning to Earth following the successful completion of NASA's Artemis II mission. The mission, which launched on April 1, involved four NASA astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, nicknamed Integrity, testing its integrated systems. The laser air monitoring system (LAMS), a compact device onboard, monitored air quality during the mission. Central to LAMS is a laser spectroscopy instrument developed by Jeff Pilgrim, a UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences alumnus.
Laser spectroscopy is a method that utilizes lasers to gather information about objects based on their interaction with light, providing data on their chemical, molecular, and physical characteristics.
Pilgrim stated that the instruments on Integrity represent a culmination of two decades of effort in laser spectroscopy for human spaceflight. He expressed gratitude for Vista Photonics' participation in the mission, applying principles learned during his Franklin College education.
Artemis II: A Landmark Mission
The Artemis II mission saw astronauts travel farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo era. It included a close lunar flyby, during which the crew collected scientific data and tested critical systems for future exploration. The 10-day mission validated essential life-support, navigation, and communication capabilities needed for upcoming lunar landings. The spacecraft is currently preparing for high-speed reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, marking a key step in NASA's long-term Artemis program.
Jeff Pilgrim: From UGA to Space Entrepreneur
Pilgrim earned his doctorate in chemistry from UGA in 1995 under Professor Michael Duncan. In 2003, he founded Vista Photonics in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to commercialize laser sensing technologies. His company has collaborated with agencies including NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Navy.
Vista Photonics' innovations first reached space in 2013 when NASA selected the company to develop a multi-gas analyzer for the International Space Station, which received the Johnson Space Center Director's Team Award in 2015.
A Legacy of Innovation and Recognition
Vista Photonics has continued to develop technology for NASA, the Navy, and Artemis missions, earning multiple recognitions. Pilgrim has also received honors such as the UGA Chemistry Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023 and the NASA Johnson Space Center Crew and Thermal Systems Division Challenge Coin. With 32 publications and nearly 30 patents, Pilgrim's work contributes significantly to optical sensing and space exploration.
Pilgrim and his wife, Melissa, co-owner and chief administrative officer of Vista Photonics and a UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences alumna, attended the launch as NASA's guests.