Exploring the Frontiers of Space Physics: From Embry‑Riddle to Princeton
Kati Callahan
Today, he works as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University’s Space Physics Lab, contributing to the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), a NASA mission set to launch at the end of this year.
A Career in Space Physics and Instrumentation
At Princeton, Mergen is part of a team working on the Solar Wind and Pickup Ions (SWAPI) instrument, from its development in the cleanroom to final calibration. His laboratory features advanced calibration facilities, including High Voltage Ion Source and Ultra High Vacuum chambers, ensuring precision in instrument testing.
A typical day for Mergen includes research on data from NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, the IMAP predecessor, which has been mapping Energetic Neutral Atoms in the outer heliosphere since 2009. His work helps uncover how the heliosphere reacts to solar cycles, revealing its dynamic, "breathing" nature over time.
Beyond his research, Mergen also engages with students enrolled in the AST 250 and 251 Space Physics courses, providing hands-on experience in space instrument design and testing. His passion for teaching, cultivated at Embry‑Riddle, continues to be an integral part of his professional journey.
The Embry‑Riddle Experience
Mergen’s fascination with space instrumentation began in high school, where he admired the precision required to design and build spacecraft. Embry‑Riddle provided the perfect environment to nurture his interest, exposing him to data analysis and research opportunities that laid the foundation for his Ph.D. work on Sun-Earth solar wind dynamics.
He credits much of his academic growth to the mentorship of Professor Anatoly V. Streltsov, whose guidance shaped his research skills. Additionally, the friendships he formed with colleagues like Beket Tulegenov and Andrea Hughes were instrumental in his development. The proximity of Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus to Cape Canaveral also offered him the unique experience of witnessing space launches firsthand.
Challenges and Growth
Balancing between research and teaching during his Ph.D. was one of the biggest challenges Mergen faced. However, this experience taught him valuable time management skills and the ability to efficiently multitask. He emphasizes that his time at Embry‑Riddle not only equipped him with technical expertise but also instilled confidence, paving the way for his career in academia and space physics.
Major Career Achievements
One of Mergen’s proudest moments was completing the calibration of the SWAPI instrument before its integration into the IMAP spacecraft. Seeing the lab empty after SWAPI’s departure was an emotional yet fulfilling moment, marking the completion of a crucial phase of the mission.
Another significant achievement was leading the burn-in process for SWAPI’s Channel Electron Multipliers (CEMs), a meticulous procedure ensuring peak performance in space.
His work highlights the attention to detail and precision required in space instrumentation.
Opportunities and Challenges in Space Physics
Mergen sees funding as one of the biggest challenges in space physics, as securing financial support for high-tech space projects is always a hurdle. However, he remains optimistic about the growing emphasis on space weather research, as highlighted in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics. He hopes for increased support from NASA, NOAA and other agencies to advance space physics research.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Mergen plans to transition from instrument development to scientific research with IMAP. He eagerly anticipates the groundbreaking data the spacecraft will provide, offering new insights into the heliosphere and the Very Local Interstellar Medium (VLISM). With IMAP positioned at the L1 Lagrange point, its ten instruments will work together to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s interaction with the interstellar environment.
Mergen Alimaganbetov’s journey from Embry‑Riddle to Princeton exemplifies the impact of a strong academic foundation, persistence and passion for discovery. As he continues to push the boundaries of space physics, his work will undoubtedly contribute to shaping our understanding of the cosmos.
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