Dr. Paul Loto'aniu brings operational space mission experience from concept through deployment, having led magnetometer hardware development and calibration for the GOES-R constellation and DSCOVR missions currently protecting critical infrastructure.
Dr. Paul Loto'aniu is Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, bringing 15+ years of operational space mission experience from NASA and NOAA. As lead instrument scientist and team lead for the GOES-R constellation and DSCOVR missions, he managed magnetometer hardware development from concept through operational deployment, securing over $2.3M in direct funding. His expertise spans instrument calibration, operational data validation, and applying machine learning to space-based measurements. Paul has led cross-functional teams through multiple full mission lifecycles and received NASA's Highest Group Achievement Award and NOAA's Gold Medal for mission excellence.
Lead of magnetic fields team for the GOES-R series (GOES-16, 17, 18), managing magnetometer operations from hardware development through on-orbit calibration to operational data products. The GOES-R constellation provides critical real-time space weather monitoring for NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Lead instrument scientist for DSCOVR's magnetometer at the L1 Lagrange point, providing 15-60 minute advance warning of solar wind conditions arriving at Earth. Managed validation and calibration ensuring operational data quality for space weather forecasting.
Lead of magnetic fields team for the upcoming Space Weather Follow-On L1 mission, continuing the critical solar wind monitoring capability. Overseeing instrument development and pre-launch calibration activities.
Principal Investigator and Project Manager for $2.3M NOAA/NASA-JPL Vector Helium Magnetometer development program, advancing next-generation magnetometer technology for future space weather missions.
Instrument scientist on multiple NASA mission concept studies including Solar Sail, SEMPRES, and ORB missions, contributing magnetometer expertise to future heliophysics mission designs.
GOES-16, 17, and 18 are currently operational, providing continuous geosynchronous magnetic field measurements. Managed full lifecycle from hardware development, through launch and commissioning, to operational product delivery used by forecasters worldwide.
Deep Space Climate Observatory provides operational solar wind monitoring at the L1 point. Led magnetometer calibration and validation ensuring data quality for NOAA's real-time space weather products and alerts.
Led investigation into the Galaxy 15 commercial spacecraft anomaly, applying magnetospheric physics expertise to understand space weather impacts on commercial satellite operations. Demonstrated commercial relevance of space weather research.
Highest NOAA honor for GOES-16/17 spacecraft development and successful deployment
Recognition for exceptional contributions to NASA mission success
Consistent recognition for delivering high-quality operational space weather products
NOAA-NASA/JPL Vector Helium Magnetometer development program
GOES-R/SWFO mission support and instrument development
Full citation: Loto'aniu, P. T. M., et al., 2022, DSCOVR magnetometer validation and operational products.
Comprehensive validation of DSCOVR magnetometer data quality and calibration, establishing the operational baseline for L1 solar wind monitoring used in space weather forecasting.
Full citation: Loto'aniu, P. T. M., et al., 2019, GOES-16 magnetometer instrument paper.
Technical description of the GOES-16 magnetometer instrument design, on-orbit performance, and calibration methodology. Establishes the foundation for operational geosynchronous magnetic field measurements.
Full citation: Loto'aniu, P. T. M., et al., 2015, Galaxy 15 spacecraft anomaly investigation.
Investigation into space weather impacts on the Galaxy 15 commercial communications satellite, demonstrating the operational relevance of magnetospheric physics research to commercial space operations.
A selection of Dr. Loto'aniu's 50+ peer-reviewed publications spanning magnetospheric physics, spacecraft instrumentation, and space weather operations.