Groundbreaking NASA Mission Led by Dr. Aroh Barjatya Explores Effects of Solar Eclipse on Earth's Upper Atmosphere

Dr. Aroh Barjatya, a distinguished professor of Engineering Physics and the Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), made headlines recently for his leadership in a NASA mission during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. In this mission, three sounding rockets were launched by NASA to study the effects of the eclipse on Earth's upper atmosphere.

Sounding rockets are suborbital vehicles specifically designed to carry scientific experiments into the upper atmosphere for various atmospheric studies. Barjatya, an Indian-born scientist, has a remarkable background in engineering and space systems. His father, Ashok Kumar Barjatya, is a chemical engineer, and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a homemaker.

Aroh's educational journey began in India, where he attended schools in Patalganga, Mumbai, Pilani, Jaipur, Solapur, and Hyderabad. He completed his undergraduate studies in electronics engineering at the Walchand Institute of Technology in Solapur before pursuing a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering at Utah State University. Subsequently, he obtained his PhD in spacecraft instrumentation from the Utah State University Research Foundation.

With over 16 years of experience in space systems engineering and aerospace instrumentation research, Barjatya has been actively involved in various innovative projects. He has led initiatives involving high-altitude balloons, CubeSats, space situational awareness, and embedded electronics, showcasing his expertise in the field. Furthermore, his sister, Apurva Barjatya, is also an accomplished mechanical engineer, reflecting a family dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and technology.

The recent NASA mission, named Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP), marked a significant milestone in Barjatya's career. The sounding rockets for this mission were launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, under Barjatya's supervision. Following the successful launch, Barjatya expressed his excitement, calling it a "spectacular day" and highlighting the long hours of work leading up to the launch event.

In addition to his academic and research achievements, Barjatya has pursued further certifications to enhance his skills in engineering and systems management. He has completed courses from the MIT School of Engineering on Architecture and Systems Engineering, focusing on models and methods for managing complex systems, quantitative methods in systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, documentation and analysis, and more. These certifications demonstrate his commitment to continuous learning and professional development in his field.

Overall, Dr. Aroh Barjatya's significant contributions to the field of space instrumentation and atmospheric studies, particularly in the context of the recent NASA mission during the solar eclipse, exemplify his dedication to scientific exploration and innovation. His expertise, combined with his academic background and hands-on experience, positions him as a leading figure in the field of engineering physics and aerospace research.

With a bright future ahead, Barjatya continues to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists and engineers through his remarkable work and achievements.