Graduate Student
STAR Lab: space computing for high-contrast imaging telescopes
Nick Belsten is a PhD candidate in STAR Lab. His research interests include space telescopes, systems engineering, embedded computational systems, and high-performance computing. During his time at MIT he has developed multiple CubeSat electronics payloads. In his PhD research he is investigating the use of high-performance embedded computing technology in commercial-off-the-shelf packages to quickly realize novel capabilities on future space telescopes. He received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics from Vanderbilt University. Nick has worked with varied engineering organizations including MIT STAR Lab, The Aerospace Corporation, MIT Haystack Observatory, and E-Space. His communications interests focus on sharing engineering and design progress with large interdisciplinary teams. Outside of research he enjoys playing music on whatever instrument he can find, as well as occasionally climbing, biking, running, and hiking.