President, Lucidian Space Research Institute
Greater Denver Area
- Current
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- President, Engineer at Lucidian Space Sciences
- Past
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- Professional Research Assistant at Laboratory for Atmspheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado
- Scientist / Engineer at Scientific Applications & Research Associates
- Student Research Assistant at University of California, Irvine: Plasma Physics Laboratory
- Student Research Assistant at University of California, Irvine: Astrophysics Group
- Student Assistant at Saddleback College: Astronomy & Physics
- Education
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- University of California, Irvine
- Connections
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37
connections
- Industry
- Aviation & Aerospace
- Websites
James Thomas’s Summary
I have a formal education in Physics/Astrophysics from the University of California at Irvine with a strong emphasis on laboratory methods and instrumentation. I have also acted as project manager on a variety of smaller aerospace/defense contracts. I have worked in a variety of laboratory settings and continue to develop my knowledge of scientific & technology development. My core technical experience is in applied plasma physics, space physics and technology, optics and lasers, data acquisition & analysis, and computational methods. I conduct private research on space exploration and development with a focus on the utilization of space resources and human settlement of the nearby space environment.
I've also worked on the preparation of a considerable number of aerospace/defense related contracts with a higher than average industry win rate. Sponsoring agencies include Air Force Research Labs (AFRL), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), DARPA, NAVY, ARMY Tacom, and NASA.
I am also a web media developer and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consultant with experience in XHTML/CSS/PHP and SEO/SEM/Analytics methodologies.
My current interests include the emergence of the new space industry, human settlement, and space commerce. My focus is on the development of the near-Earth system, ISRU, accessing and using space resources, and human habitats.
James Thomas’s Specialties:
Laboratory science, instrumentation, and technology development.
Test and measurement
Mechanical design & model development.
Plasma physics.
Optics and lasers.
Space physics & technology for exploration and settlement.
Vacuum technology & instrumentation.
Aerospace contracting, proposal preparation.
Science & technical photography
Web design/development.
Search engine optimization and web marketing.
Advanced web analytics.
James Thomas’s Experience
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President, Engineer
Lucidian Space Sciences
(Aviation & Aerospace industry)
June 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)
Lucidian is a space research and technology development organization devoted to enabling space exploration & development, resource acquisition, and eventual human operations and settlement concepts. Lucidian is also actively engaged in advocacy and outreach operations related to space.
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Professional Research Assistant
Laboratory for Atmspheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado
(Research industry)
March 2007 — May 2008 (1 year 3 months)
Here I worked with the Space Plasma Group on an effort to study conductive spacecraft and electromagnetic probe coatings for the NASA MAVEN and RBSP programs.
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Scientist / Engineer
Scientific Applications & Research Associates
(Aviation & Aerospace industry)
June 2000 — February 2006 (5 years 9 months)
At SARA Inc. I worked in a variety of areas but primarily in plasma physics and optics. Key programs included research efforts with the Air Force Research Labs/Missile Defense Agency in developing new technologies for the chemical oxygen iodine laser and other high power gas-dynamic/plasma-dynamic lasers. I also worked in acoustics and signal processing. During my tenure at SARA Inc. I prepared or contributed to numerous contract proposals for sponsoring government agencies.
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Student Research Assistant
University of California, Irvine: Plasma Physics Laboratory
(Aviation & Aerospace industry)
June 1998 — July 2000 (2 years 2 months)
During this time I worked as a student research assistant in the McWilliams Plasma Physics Laboratory. I worked on the development and analysis and RF-based plasma reactors and the application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence instrumentation. This work was primarily in support of my undergraduate thesis in plasma physics.
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Student Research Assistant
University of California, Irvine: Astrophysics Group
(Aviation & Aerospace industry)
February 1997 — May 1998 (1 year 4 months)
Here I worked as a student assistant to the Astrophysics group conducting computation image analysis. Specifically I used IDL to conduct Point-Spread Function photometric analysis of telescope imagery for the purpose of determining the behavior of stars in a nearby dwarf galaxy.
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Student Assistant
Saddleback College: Astronomy & Physics
(Aviation & Aerospace industry)
April 1995 — June 1997 (2 years 3 months)
At Saddleback College I worked with the Astronomy department in constructing and operating a solar, lunar, & planetary observatory. This observatory was used to study solar features in real-time as well as for educational and outreach activities. I also provided educational support for the Observational Astronomy laboratory course.
James Thomas’s Education
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University of California, Irvine
B.S. , Physics, Astrophysics , 1996 — 2000
- Activities and Societies:
- Worked in the applied plasma physics laboratory on Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) measurements for RF plasma reactors. Thesis and results presented at the 2000 undergraduate research symposium.
Worked for Astrophysics group conducting point-spread function photometry measurements of stellar profiles.
Additional Information
James Thomas’s Websites:
James Thomas’s Interests:
Space exploration Space commerce, resource acquisition, and development Human habitation and settlement of space Web media and SEO Photography - Especially scientific and technical subjects Mountain biking and hiking
James Thomas’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
