Brief Bio

Jan McGarry received her BA in Mathematics from Goucher College in 1974 and an MA in Applied Mathematics from the University of Maryland in 1983. Jan has worked in Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Laser Altimetry since she joined NASA in 1974, developing instrument control software, software simulators, mathematical algorithms, and data analysis for ground-based, space-based and airborne systems. She started spaceborne laser altimeter work in the 1980s as part of the Mars Observer Laser Altimeter (MOLA) acquisition and tracking algorithm team. She continued altimeter work as a key member of the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) algorithm teams, the Geoscience Laser Altimetry System (GLAS) software simulator team, and the GLAS flight science receiver algorithm team.  Jan also developed the algorithms and software for the Airborne Multikilohertz Microlaser Altimeter (Microaltimeter) as part of NASA’s Instrument Incubator Program.

Jan recently completed work on the ICESat-2/ATLAS Instrument’s Flight Science Receiver Algorithms, leading a team that developed the onboard algorithms to determine surface echoes from background noise. The implementation of these algorithms was needed to dramatically reduce the telemetry data volume to a sustainable level. ICESat-2 launched in 2018 and the mission is meeting or exceeding all of its challenging goals.

Jan started SLR work on the development of what is now the NASA legacy SLR systems. Around 2006 she became responsible for the development and operation of the primary ground station that successfully performed 1-way laser ranging to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) for over 5 years. Jan is currently leading the design and development work on the Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) systems. These systems will become NASA’s next generation of very accurate, totally automated SLR stations, replacing the current NASA legacy SLR systems that are located around the world and have been operating since the 1980s.

Publications

Refereed

McGarry, J. F., C. C. Carabajal, J. L. Saba, et al. A. R. Reese, S. T. Holland, S. P. Palm, J. A. Swinski, J. E. Golder, and P. M. Liiva. 2021. "ICESat‐2/ATLAS Onboard Flight Science Receiver Algorithms: Purpose, Process, and Performance." Earth and Space Science 8 (e2020EA001235): [10.1029/2020ea001235]

McGarry, J. F., E. D. Hoffman, J. J. Degnan, et al. J. W. Cheek, C. B. Clarke, I. F. Diegel, H. L. Donovan, J. E. Horvath, M. Marzouk, A. R. Nelson, D. S. Patterson, R. L. Ricklefs, M. D. Shappirio, S. L. Wetzel, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2019. "NASA’s satellite laser ranging systems for the twenty-first century." Journal of Geodesy 93 (11): 2249–2262 [10.1007/s00190-018-1191-6]

Exertier, P., A. Belli, E. Samain, et al. W. Meng, H. Zhang, K. Tang, A. Schlicht, U. Schreiber, U. Hugentobler, I. Prochàzka, X. Sun, J. F. McGarry, D. Mao, and A. Neumann. 2019. "Time and laser ranging: a window of opportunity for geodesy, navigation, and metrology." Journal of Geodesy 93 (11): 2389–2404 [10.1007/s00190-018-1173-8]

Barker, M. K., X. Sun, D. Mao, et al. E. Mazarico, G. A. Neumann, M. T. Zuber, D. E. Smith, J. L. Mcgarry, and E. D. Hoffman. 2018. "In-flight characterization of the lunar orbiter laser altimeter instrument pointing and far-field pattern." Applied Optics 57 (27): 7702 [10.1364/ao.57.007702]

Bauer, S., H. Hussmann, J. Oberst, et al. D. Dirkx, D. Mao, G. Neumann, E. Mazarico, M. Torrence, J. McGarry, D. Smith, and M. Zuber. 2017. "Analysis of one-way laser ranging data to LRO, time transfer and clock characterization." Icarus 283 38-54 [10.1016/j.icarus.2016.09.026]

Mao, D., J. L. Mcgarry, E. Mazarico, et al. G. A. Neumann, X. Sun, M. H. Torrence, T. W. Zagwodzki, D. D. Rowlands, E. D. Hoffman, J. E. Horvath, J. E. Golder, M. K. Barker, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2017. "The Laser Ranging Experiment of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: Five Years of Operations and Data Analysis." Icarus 283 55-69 [10.1016/j.icarus.2016.07.003]

Bauer, S., H. Hussmann, J. Oberst, et al. D. Dirkx, D. Mao, G. Neumann, E. Mazarico, M. Torrence, D. Smith, M. Zuber, and J. F. McGarry. 2016. "Demonstration of orbit determination for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter using one-way laser ranging data." Planetary and Space Science 129 32-46 [10.1016/j.pss.2016.06.005]

Leigh, H. W., L. A. Magruder, C. C. Carabajal, J. L. Saba, and J. F. McGarry. 2015. "Development of Onboard Digital Elevation and Relief Databases for ICESat-2." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 53 (4): 2011-2020 [10.1109/tgrs.2014.2352277]

Sun, X., D. R. Skillman, E. D. Hoffman, et al. D. Mao, J. F. McGarry, L. McIntire, R. S. Zellar, F. M. Davidson, W. H. Fong, M. A. Krainak, G. A. Neumann, M. T. Zuber, and D. E. Smith. 2013. "Free space laser communication experiments from Earth to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in lunar orbit." Optics Express 21 (2): 1865 [10.1364/oe.21.001865]

Sun, X., J. B. Abshire, J. F. McGarry, et al. G. A. Neumann, D. Smith, J. F. Cavanaugh, D. J. Harding, H. J. Zwally, and D. E. Smith. 2013. "Space lidar developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - the first 20 years." IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing 6 (3): 1660-1675 [doi:10.1109/jstars.2013.2259578]

Dell'Agnello, S., G. O. Delle Monache, D. G. Currie, et al. R. Vittori, C. Cantone, M. Garattini, A. Boni, M. Martini, C. Lops, N. Intaglietta, R. Tauraso, D. A. Arnold, M. R. Pearlman, G. Bianco, S. Zerbini, M. Maiello, S. Berardi, L. Porcelli, C. O. Alley, J. F. McGarry, C. Sciarretta, V. Luceri, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2011. "Creation of the new industry-standard space test of laser retroreflectors for the GNSS and LAGEOS." Advances in Space Research 47 822 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.022]

Zuber, M. T., D. E. Smith, R. S. Zellar, et al. G. A. Neumann, X. Sun, R. Katz, I. Kleyner, A. Matuszeski, J. L. Mcgarry, M. Ott, L. A. Ramos-Izquierdo, D. D. Rowlands, M. H. Torrence, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2010. "The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Laser Ranging Investigation." Space Science Reviews 150 (1-4): 63-80 [10.1007/s11214-009-9511-z]

Smith, D. E., M. T. Zuber, G. A. Neumann, et al. F. G. Lemoine, E. M. Mazarico, M. H. Torrence, J. L. Mcgarry, D. D. Rowlands, J. Head, T. Duxbury, O. Aharonson, P. Lucey, M. Robinson, O. Barnouin, J. Cavanaugh, X. Sun, P. M. Liiva, D. Mao, J. Smith, and A. Bartels. 2010. "Initial observations from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)." Geophys. Res. Lett. 37 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1029/2010GL043751]

Smith, D. E., M. T. Zuber, G. Jackson, et al. J. Cavanaugh, G. A. Neumann, H. Riris, X. Sun, R. S. Zellar, C. Coltharp, J. Connelly, R. Katz, I. Kleyner, P. M. Liiva, A. Matuszeski, E. Mazarico, J. L. Mcgarry, A. Nova-Gradac, M. Ott, C. Peters, L. A. Ramos-Izquierdo, L. Ramsey, D. D. Rowlands, S. Schmidt, V. S. Scott, G. Shaw, J. Swinski, M. H. Torrence, G. Unger, A. Yu, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2010. "The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission." Space Science Reviews 150 (1-4): 209-241

Cavanaugh, J. F., J. C. Smith, X. Sun, et al. A. E. Bartels, L. Ramos-Izquierdo, D. J. Krebs, J. F. McGarry, R. Trunzo, A. M. Novo-Gradac, J. L. Britt, J. Karsh, R. B. Katz, A. T. Lukemire, R. Szymkiewicz, D. L. Berry, J. P. Swinski, G. A. Neumann, M. T. Zuber, and D. E. Smith. 2007. "The Mercury Laser Altimeter Instrument for the MESSENGER Mission." Space Science Reviews 131 (1-4): 451-479 [10.1007/s11214-007-9273-4]

Merkowitz, S. M., P. Dabney, J. C. Livas, et al. J. L. Mcgarry, G. A. Neumann, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2007. "Laser Ranging for Gravitational, Lunar and Planetary Science." International Journal of Modern Physics D 16 2151 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1142/S0218271807011565]

Smith, D. E., M. T. Zuber, X. Sun, et al. G. A. Neumann, J. F. Cavamaugh, J. L. Mcgarry, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2006. "Two-Way Laser Link over Interplanetary Distance." Science 311 (5757): 53-53 [10.1126/science.1120091]

Abshire, J. B., X. Sun, H. Riris, et al. J. M. Sirota, J. F. McGarry, S. Palm, D. Yi, and P. Liiva. 2005. "Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on the ICESat Mission: On-orbit measurement performance." Geophysical Research Letters 32 (21): L21S02 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1029/2005GL024028]

Powell, W., E. Hicks, M. Pinchinat, et al. P. Dabney, J. McGarry, and P. Murray. 2004. "Reconfigurable computing as an enabling technology for single-photon-counting laser altimetry." 2004 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.04TH8720) [10.1109/aero.2004.1368027]

Abshire, J., Xiaoli Sun, H. Riris, et al. M. Sirota, J. McGarry, S. Palm, E. Ketchum, and R. Follas. 2004. "Geoscience laser altimeter system (GLAS) on the ICESat mission: pre-launch and on-orbit measurement performance." IGARSS 2003. 2003 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. Proceedings [10.1109/igarss.2003.1294166]

Mcgarry, J. L., J. J. Degnan, P. Titterton, et al. H. Sweeney, B. P. Conklin, and P. J. Dunn. 1996. "Automated tracking for advanced satellite laser ranging systems." PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS (SPIE) 2739 89-103 [ 10.1117/12.241945]

Abshire, J. B., and J. F. McGarry. 1987. "Estimating the arrival times of photon-limited laser pulses in the presence of shot and speckle noise." Journal of the Optical Society of America A 4 (6): 1080 [10.1364/josaa.4.001080]

Im, K. E., J. B. Abshire, J. F. McGarry, and C. S. Gardner. 1987. "Experimental evaluation of the performance of pulsed two-color laser-ranging systems." Journal of the Optical Society of America A 4 (5): 820 [10.1364/josaa.4.000820]

Abshire, J. B., and J. F. McGarry. 1987. "Two-color short-pulse laser altimeter measurements of ocean surface backscatter." Applied Optics 26 (7): 1304 [10.1364/ao.26.001304]

Non-Refereed

Mcgarry, J. L., C. C. Carabajal, J. J. Degnan, et al. S. T. Holland, A. Mallama, S. P. Palm, A. R. Reese, R. Ricklefs, and J. L. Saba. 2019. "ATLAS Flight Science Receiver Algorithms, Version 4.0." NASA/TM–2019-219037 [Full Text (Link)]

Donovan, H. L., D. S. Patterson, S. L. Wetzel, et al. J. Marzouk, J. L. Mcgarry, J. J. Degnan, A. Nelson, F. Hall, J. W. Cheek, M. Shappirio, and E. D. Hoffman. 2016. "The Gimbal and Telescope Assembly for NASA's Next Generation Space Geodesy SLR Systems." 20th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Potsdam Germany, October 9-14, 2016 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L., H. L. Donovan, S. L. Wetzel, et al. J. Marzouk, J. J. Degnan, J. E. Horvath, J. W. Cheek, E. D. Hoffman, D. S. Patterson, I. Diegel, R. Ricklefs, R. Machan, E. L. Leventhal, A. M. Mann, and C. B. Clarke. 2016. "Designing NASA's Next Generation SLR stations with the goal of full automation." 20th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Potsdam Germany, October 9-14, 2016. [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L., D. Mao, E. Mazarico, et al. G. A. Neumann, X. Sun, M. H. Torrence, M. K. Barker, E. D. Hoffman, J. E. Horvath, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2016. "The Contributions of ILRS Laser Ranging to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission." 20th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Potsdam Germany, October 9-14, 2016 [Full Text (Link)]

Hoffman, E. D., D. S. Patterson, H. L. Donovan, J. L. Mcgarry, and C. B. Clarke. 2016. "SGSLR Range Control Electronics Design and Implementation." 20th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Potsdam Germany, October 9-14, 2016 [Full Text (Link)]

Merkowitz, S. M., J. Esper, L. M. Hilliard, et al. E. D. Hoffman, J. E. Horvath, F. G. Lemoine, J. L. Long, C. Ma, D. McCormick, J. L. Mcgarry, B. P. Michael, C. E. Noll, J. Sager, M. D. Shappirio, and S. L. Wetzel. 2016. "The NASA Space Geodesy Network." 20th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Potsdam Germany, October 9-14, 2016 [Full Text (Link)]

Shappirio, M., J. L. Mcgarry, J. L. Bufton, et al. J. W. Cheek, D. B. Coyle, S. M. Hull, P. R. Stysley, X. Sun, R. P. Young, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2016. "Application of Satellite Laser Ranging Techniques for Space Situational Awareness Efforts." Proceedings of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, September 20-23, 2016, [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L. 2016. "Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging System Requirements Document Public Version: Levels 3 & 4." GSFC-E-DAA-TN35561 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L. 2015. "NGSLR Safety Handbook." GSFC-E-DAA-TN35524 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L., S. M. Merkowitz, M. Shappirio, et al. S. Butani, J. W. Cheek, C. B. Clarke, J. J. Degnan, H. Donavan, F. Hall, J. E. Horvath, D. R. Lamb, T. Mann, J. Marzouk, A. Nelson, D. Patterson, M. Torrence, T. Varghese, S. L. Wetzel, J. Woo, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2014. "Developing and Deploying NASA’s Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) Systems." Proceedings of the 19th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Annapolis, Maryland ,USA October 27 – 31, 2014 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L. 2014. "NGSLR System Overview. [Introduction to the NGSLR System]." GSFC-E-DAA-TN35527 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L. 2014. "NGSLR Operations Manual: Operating the Next Generation Satellite Laser Ranging System." GSFC-E-DAA-TN35450 [Full Text (Link)]

Bauer, S., D. Dirkx, H. Hussmann, et al. D. Mao, G. A. Neumann, E. Mazarico, M. H. Torrence, J. L. Mcgarry, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2013. "Implementation of one‐way laser ranging observations into LRO orbit determination." Proceedings of the 18th International Laser Ranging Workshop, Fujiyoshida, Japan, November 11-15, 2013 [Full Text (Link)]

Donavan, H. L., J. L. Mcgarry, T. W. Zagwodzki, et al. J. Annen, J. J. Degnan, J. E. Horvath, F. Hall, D. Patterson, J. W. Cheek, and A. Nelson. 2013. "Upgrade of the NGSLR Optical Bench and the Resulting Performance Improvement." Proceedings of the 18th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Fujiyoshida, Japan, November 11-15, 2013 [Full Text (Link)]

Mcgarry, J. L., S. M. Merkowitz, H. L. Donavan, et al. J. E. Horvath, J. J. Degnan, J. W. Cheek, A. Nelson, D. Patterson, A. Mann, F. Hall, R. L. Ricklefs, T. Varghese, T. W. Zagwodzki, and E. C. Pavlis. 2013. "The Collocation of NGSLR with MOBLAS-7 and the Future of NASA Satellite Laser Ranging." Proceedings of the 18th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Fujiyoshida, Japan, November 11-15, 2013 [Full Text (Link)]

Sun, X., J. F. Cavanaugh, J. C. SMith, et al. J. B. Abshire, J. L. Mcgarry, G. A. Neumann, D. J. Harding, H. J. Zwally, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2013. "SPACE LIDARS DEVELOPED AT NASA GSFC." IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATIONS AND REMOTE SENSING (JSTARS) 6 (3): 1660 - 1675 [ 10.1109/JSTARS.2013.2259578]

Coyle, D. B., P. R. Stysley, J. F. McGarry, et al. S. M. Hull, K. M. Getzandanner, and R. P. Young. 2013. "Adapting a ground-based laser ranging system at NASA-GSFC for identification and tracking of orbital debris." Proceedings of the XVIII Laser Radar Technology and Applications Conference SPIE 8731 [10.1117/12.2015460]

Sun, X., D. R. Skillman, E. D. Hoffman, et al. D. Mao, J. L. Mcgarry, G. A. Neumann, L. McIntire, R. S. Zellar, F. M. Davidson, W. H. Fong, M. A. Krainak, M. T. Zuber, and D. E. Smith. 2013. "Simultaneous Laser Ranging and Communication from an Earth-Based Satellite Laser Ranging Station to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in Lunar Orbit.”." Proceedings of the SPIE XXV Conference on Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation [10.1117/12.2006645]

Sun, X., G. A. Neumann, J. Cavanaugh, et al. J. L. Mcgarry, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2009. "Laser Altimeter Measurements from MESSENGER's Recent Mercury Flybys." 2009 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and Quantum Electronics and Laser Science 116-117 [Full Text (Link)]

Riris, H., Xiaoli Sun, J. F. Cavanaugh, et al. L. Ramos-Izquierdo, P. Liiva, G. B. Jackson, S. Schmidt, J. McGarry, and D. E. Smith. 2008. "The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission." Proceedings of the 2008 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics [10.1109/cleo.2008.4551271]

Krainak, M. A., J. R. Chen, P. W. Dabney, et al. J. F. Ferrara, W. H. Fong, A. J. Martino, J. F. McGarry, S. M. Merkowitz, C. M. Principe, X. Sun, and T. W. Zagwodzki. 2008. "Direct-detection free-space laser transceiver test-bed." Proceedings of the Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XX SPIE.6877 687703 [10.1117/12.758654]

Sun, X., H. Riris, J. F. Cavanaugh, et al. J. L. Mcgarry, G. B. Jackson, R. S. Zellar, D. E. Smith, and M. T. Zuber. 2007. "The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and the Laser Ranging System on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter." Proceedings of the 2007 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Quantum Electronics and Laser Science) 1-5 1469+ [Full Text (Link)]

Abshire, J. B., Xiaoli Sun, G. Neumann, et al. J. McGarry, T. Zagwodzki, P. Jester, H. Riris, M. Zuber, and D. Smith. 2006. "Laser pulses from Earth detected at Mars." Proceedings of the 2006 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and 2006 Quantum Electronics and Laser Science [10.1109/cleo.2006.4628090]

Degnan, J. J., J. L. Mcgarry, T. W. Zagwodzki, et al. P. Dabney, J. Geiger, R. Chabot, C. Steggerda, J. Marzouk, and A. Chu. 2002. "Design and Performance of an Airborne Multikilohertz Photon-Counting Microlaser Altimeter." International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Volume XXXIV-3/W4, Annapolis, Maryland, 22-24 Oct. 2001 9-16 [Full Text (Link)]

Degnan, J. J., J. L. Mcgarry, T. W. Zagwodzki, et al. P. Dabney, J. Geiger, R. Chabot, C. Steggerda, J. Marzouk, and A. Chu. 2001. "Design and performance of a 3-D imaging, photon-counting, microlaser altimeter operating from aircraft cruise altitudes under day or night conditions." PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS (SPIE) 4546 1-10 [10.1117/12.453978]

Degnan, J. J., and J. L. Mcgarry. 1997. "SLR2000: Eyesafe and autonomous single photoelectron satellite laser ranging at kilohertz rates." PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS (SPIE) 3218 63-77 [ 10.1117/12.295646]

Zagwodzki, T. W., J. L. Mcgarry, J. J. Degnan, and T. Varghese. 1997. "Two-color SLR experiments at the GSFC 1.2m telescope." PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS (SPIE) 3218 113-124 [ 10.1117/12.295660]

Abshire, J. B., J. L. Mcgarry, L. K. Pacini, J. B. Blair, and G. C. Elman. 1994. "Laser altimetry simulator. Version 3.0: User's guide." NASA-TM-104588 71 [Full Text (Link)]