Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Roth
Assistant Professor of Physics
Bio
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin D. Roth is an assistant professor in the Physics Department at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he also serves as the Director of Astronomical Research and the Observatory. In this role, he leads various research projects, from studying supernovae to tracking satellites. Throughout his career, Lt Col Roth has held a number of significant positions. He began as a Research Physicist at Hanscom Air Force Base, where he focused on mitigating the effects of space weather on satellite systems. He later managed three sensor development projects with a combined acquisition cost of over $100 million at Wright-Patterson AFB. His service also includes a role as a staff executive officer for the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he communicated research developments to General Officers and congressional inquiries. At Los Angeles AFB, Lieutenant Colonel Roth led a 300-person team in producing the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) nuclear command and control satellite system. Prior to his current position, he was at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he led efforts to develop technologies for Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in imaging science, Rochester Institute of Technology, N.Y. (2020)
Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence (2018)
Squadron Officer School, in residence (2014)
Master of Science in Engineering Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (2012)
Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2007)
Bachelor of Science in physics, U.S Air Force Academy, Colo. (2007)
Professional Experience
Instructor, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (September 2021-Present)
Chief Technical Advisor, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va. (August 2020-August 2021)
PhD student, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y. (July 2018-July 2020)
Chief, Advanced Extremely High Frequency Spacecraft, Space and Missiles Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. (June 2015-June 2017)
Staff Executive Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (April 2014-April 2015)
Laser Radar Program Manager, Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (March 2012-April 2014)
Student, Air Force Instituted of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (August 2010-March 2012)
Research Physicist, Space Vehicles Directorate, Hanscom AFB, Mass. (June 2008-August 2010)
Student Pilot, 84Th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas (March 2008-June 2008)
Flight Scheduler, 354Th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Az. (August 2007-March 2008)
Honors & Awards
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Publications
Roth, B. D., Giblin, T. W., Strong, D. M., Francis, F. K., Shen, J, Singh, A. (to be submitted fall 2024). The USAFA One-Meter Telescope: Providing Space Education and Research Opportunities. To be submitted to Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
Giblin, T. W., Shen, C. C. H., Roth, B., King, C. L., Strong, D. M., & Chun, F. K. (2023). Falcon Telescope Network and USAFA 1-Meter Telescope Systems Limiting Magnitude Research. Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS).
Dao, P. D., Yee, X. C., Strong, D. M., Roth, B., & Chun, F. K. (2023). Multi-geosynchronous satellite classification with spectroscopic signatures. In Algorithms, Technologies, and Applications for Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging XXIX (Vol. 12519, pp. 37-48). SPIE.
Yee, X.C., Dao, P.D., Strong, D. M., Roth, B., Wetterer, C., & Chun, F. K. (2023). Machine Learning Classification GEOs Using Spectral Data. Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS).
Roth, B. D., Saunders, M. G., Bachmann, C. M., & van Aardt, J. (2021). Leaf bidirectional transmittance distribution function estimates and models for select deciduous tree species. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 60, 1-14.
Roth, B. D., Goodenough, A. A., Brown, S. D., van Aardt, J. A., Saunders, M. G., & Krause, K. (2020). Simulations of leaf BSDF effects on lidar waveforms. Remote Sensing, 12(18), 2909.
Roth, B. D., Saunders, M. G., Bachmann, C. M., & van Aardt, J. A. (2020). On leaf BRDF estimates and their fit to microfacet models. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 13, 1761-1771.
Roth, B. D., & Fiorino, S. T. (2012, May). LADAR performance simulations with a high spectral resolution atmospheric transmittance and radiance model: LEEDR. In Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVII (Vol. 8379, pp. 222-236). SPIE.