Contact Professor Stephen Hobbs
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754658
- Email: S.E.Hobbs@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Areas of expertise
- Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
- Space Systems
- Systems Engineering
Background
Steve's academic training is in mathematics and experimental physics (Cambridge University, 1st class), then ecological physics (instrumentation and atmospheric physics; Cranfield Institute of Technology).
His research covers space systems and radar Earth observation. He recently led the European Space Agency study Hydroterra, a geosynchronous radar mission proposal to address science needs for the water cycle. Hydroterra was one of three candidates for ESA's 10th Earth Explorer mission. Research projects have included international field campaigns in US and Europe, involving ground-based and airborne measurement systems to study insect migration, land-surface / atmosphere interactions, and measurement physics for remote sensing. Another research area concerns the sustainability of space systems. He led the Cranfield University development of deorbit devices based on drag augmentation, which resulted in three successful payloads in orbit, including the first operational deployment of a drag-augmentation device in orbit. He has extensive practical experience including software development, electronics, signal processing, field experiments, and satellite payload design.
Steve has been involved in teaching space engineering subjects at postgraduate level for over 30 years, with experience running the MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering as well as doctoral research student supervision. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Qualifications include membership of professional societies in physics, meteorology and remote sensing.
He was funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering for an Industry Secondment to Airbus, works as the UK representative for design engineering to the ISO committee for Space Systems and Operations (ISO TC20/SC14), and is chair of the Space Academic Network's working group on Space Engineering and Technology.
Current activities
Academic interests / expertise include:
Space system engineering
Measurement physics and signal processing - especially for space sensor systems such as radar
Radar and Earth observation applications
Environmental applications - land surface and atmosphere in particular.
Current research projects:
Geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (GEO SAR), Hydroterra mission development
Sustainable space - space debris mitigation and remediation
Low-cost de-orbit systems for small satellites (e.g. TechDemoSat-1 and ESA's ESEO mission).
Clients
His research sponsors include:
UK research councils
European Union
European Space Agency
BNSC / UK Space Agency
UK Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation
Royal Society
US Department of Agriculture
UK space industry: SSTL, NPA Fugro, EADS Astrium
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Chen X, Chen Z, Li Y, Hu C, Dong X, .... (2024). Improving 2-D Resolution in Geosynchronous SAR via Spatial Spectrum Synthesis: Method and Verification. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 17
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Impey SA, Aria AI, .... (2022). Effects of long-term exposure to the low-earth orbit environment on drag augmentation systems. Acta Astronautica, 195(June)
- Wagner W, Lindorfer R, Melzer T, Hahn S, Bauer-Marschallinger B, .... (2022). Widespread occurrence of anomalous C-band backscatter signals in arid environments caused by subsurface scattering. Remote Sensing of Environment, 276(July)
- Chen Z, Hu C, Dong X, Li Y, Tian W, .... (2021). Coherence-Based Geosynchronous SAR Tomography Employing Formation Flying: System Design and Performance Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 59(9)
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Holbrough IE & Beck JC. (2021). Drag augmentation systems for space debris mitigation. Acta Astronautica, 188(November)
- Hu C, Chen Z, Li Y, Dong X & Hobbs S. (2021). Research progress on geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar. Fundamental Research, 1(3)
- Lagasio M, Meroni AN, Boni G, Pulvirenti L, Monti-Guarnieri A, .... (2020). Meteorological OSSEs for New Zenith Total Delay Observations: Impact Assessment for the Hydroterra Geosynchronous Satellite on the October 2019 Genoa Event. Remote Sensing, 12(22)
- Hobbs SE, Guarnieri AM, Broquetas A, Calvet J, Casagli N, .... (2019). G‐CLASS: geosynchronous radar for water cycle science – orbit selection and system design. The Journal of Engineering, 2019(21)
- Wang R, Hu C, Li Y, Hobbs SE, Tian W, .... (2017). Joint Amplitude-Phase Compensation for Ionospheric Scintillation in GEO SAR Imaging. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 55(6)
- Hobbs S & Sanchez JP. (2017). Laplace plane and low inclination geosynchronous radar mission design. Science China Information Sciences, 60(6)
- Hu C, Ding Z, Long T, Hobbs S, Monti Guarnieri A, .... (2017). Editorial. Science China Information Sciences, 60(6)
- Andra Baduge AW, Henschel MD, Hobbs S, Buehler SA, Ekman J, .... (2016). Seasonal variation of coherence in SAR interferograms in Kiruna, Northern Sweden. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 37(2)
- Virgili Llop J, Roberts PCE, Palmer K, Hobbs S & Kingston J. (2015). Descending Sun-Synchronous Orbits with Aerodynamic Inclination Correction. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 38(5)
- Kingston J, Hobbs S, Roberts P, Juanes-Vallejo C, Robinson F, .... (2014). Use of CYPRES™ cutters with a Kevlar clamp band for hold-down and release of the Icarus De-Orbit Sail payload on TechDemoSat-1. Acta Astronautica, 100(1)
- Hobbs S, Mitchell C, Forte B, Holley R, Snapir B, .... (2014). System Design for Geosynchronous Synthetic Aperture Radar Missions. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 52(12)
- Rajbansi B, Sarkar U & Hobbs SE. (2014). Hazardous odor markers from sewage wastewater: A step towards simultaneous assessment, dearomatization and removal. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 45(4)
- Snapir B, Hobbs S & Waine TW. (2014). Roughness measurements over an agricultural soil surface with Structure from Motion. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 96
- Mukherjee R, Sarkar U & Hobbs SE. (2012). Source areas for a passively diffusing methane gas from South Asian paddy fields using the Flux Footprint Model. Atmospheric Research, 104-105
- Sheng W & Hobbs SE. (2011). Research on compensation of motion, Earth curvature and tropospheric delay in GEOSAR. Acta Astronautica, 68(11-12)
- Bruno D & Hobbs SE. (2010). Radar Imaging From Geosynchronous Orbit: Temporal Decorrelation Aspects. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 48(7)
- Hobbs S. (2010). Disposal orbits for GEO spacecraft: A method for evaluating the orbit height distributions resulting from implementing IADC guidelines. Advances in Space Research, 45(8)
- Hobbs S. (2008). Database of individual wheat plant motion in wind: Application to radar imaging of vegetation. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 148(11)
- Hobbs S, Seynat C & Matakidis P. (2007). Videogrammetry: A practical method for measuring vegetation motion in wind demonstrated on wheat. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 143(3-4)
- Hobbs SE & Aldhous AC. (2006). Insect ventral radar cross-section polarisation dependence measurements for radar entomology. IEE Proceedings - Radar, Sonar and Navigation, 153(6)
- Hobbs S. (2004). Fast freeze?. Weather, 59(8)
- Sarkar U, Hobbs SE & Longhurst P. (2003). Dispersion of odour: a case study with a municipal solid waste landfill site in North London, United Kingdom. Journal of Environmental Management, 68(2)
- Sarkar U, Longhurst PJ & Hobbs SE. (2003). Community modelling: a tool for correlating estimates of exposure with perception of odour from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Journal of Environmental Management, 68(2)
- Sarkar U & Hobbs SE. (2003). Landfill odour: assessment of emissions by the flux footprint method. Environmental Modelling & Software, 18(2)
- Sarkar U & Hobbs SE. (2002). Odour from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Environment International, 27(8)
- Hobbs S, Dyer D, Courault D, Olioso A, Lagouarde J-P, .... (2002). Surface layer profiles of air temperature and humidity measured from unmanned aircraft. Agronomie, 22(6)
- Hobbs SE, Longhurst P, Sarkar U & Sneath RW. (2000). Comparison of dispersion models for assessing odour from municipal solid wastes. Waste Management and Research, 18(5)
- Hobbs SE, Longhurst P, Sarkar U & Sneath RW. (2000). Comparison of dispersion models for assessing odour from municipal solid wastes. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 18(5)
- Hobbs S. (1997). Weather effects on SAR backscatter for agricultural surfaces. European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
- Hobbs SE & Wolf WW. (1996). Developments in Airborne Entomological Radar. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 13(1)
- THOMAS G, HOBBS SE & DUFOUR M. (1996). Woodland area estimation by spectral mixing: applying a goodness-of-fit solution method. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 17(2)
- Hobbs SE. (1994). Calibration and performance evaluation of a lightweight propellor anemometer for micrometeorological research. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 68(3)
- Hobbs SE & Hodges G. (1993). An optical method for automatic classification and recording of a suction trap catch. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 83(1)
- Hobbs SE. (1991). A radar signal processor for biological applications. Measurement Science and Technology, 2(5)
- Hobbs SE. (1990). Kite performance measurements in natural wind. The Aeronautical Journal, 94(932)
- Wolf WW, Westbrook JK, Raulston J, Pair SD & Hobbs SE. (1990). Recent airborne radar observations of migrant pests in the United States. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, 328(1251)
- Hobbs SE & Wolf WW. (1989). An airborne radar technique for studying insect migration. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 79(4)
- Hobbs SE. (1989). Kite measurements in the boundary layer. Wind Engineering, 13(2)
Conference Papers
- Hobbs S, Felicetti L, Leslie C, Rowling S, Brydon G, .... (2023). Towards in-orbit hyperspectral imaging of space debris
- D'Anniballe A, Felicetti L & Hobbs S. (2023). Collision analysis for multiple satellites released from a common dispenser
- Felicetti L, Hobbs S, Leslie C, Rowling S, Dhesi M, .... (2023). HySim: A Tool for Space-To-Space Hyperspectral Resolved Imagery
- D'Anniballe A, Felicetti L & Hobbs S. (2023). Optimal Orbital Configurations of Spaceborne Optical Sensors Constellations for Space Surveillance
- D'Anniballe A, Felicetti L & Hobbs S. (2023). Quantifying Improvements in Debris Risk Analysis using a Constellation of Spaceborne Optical Sensors
- Chen Z, Li Y, Chen X, Hu C, Datcu M, .... (2023). Space-surface bistatic SAR tomography: a promising approach for accurate local 3D reconstruction
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J & Hobbs S. (2022). Development and Validation of Drag Sails for Space Debris Mitigation
- Kingston J, Felicetti L & Hobbs S. (2021). What might sustainability of the GEO region look like?
- Convenevole C & Hobbs SE. (2020). Physics-Based Clutter Model For Geosynchronous Synthetic Aperture Radar
- Quast R, Wagner W, Calvet J-C, Albergel C, Bertrand B, .... (2020). Assessing prospects of sub-daily radar-observations to improve the understanding of soil- and vegetation dynamics.
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Holbrough IE, Beck JC, .... (2020). Effects of long-term exposure to the low-earth orbit environment on drag augmentation systems
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S, Holbrough IE & Beck JC. (2020). Drag augmentation systems for space debris mitigation
- Serfontein Z, Kingston J, Hobbs S & Holbrough I. (2020). Space debris mitigation: Cranfield university’s family of drag augmentation systems
- Convenevole C & Hobbs SE. (2019). Method for Estimating Clutter Limited Geosynchronous Synthetic Aperture Radar Performance
- Wagner W & Hobbs SE. (2019). Resolving the daily water cycle over land with a geosynchronous C-band radar satellite
- Hobbs S, Sanchez JP, Convenevole C, Gibbings A, Germani C, .... (2018). G-class: A geosynchronous radar mission to study the diurnal water cycle
- Hobbs SE & Monti-Guarnieri A. (2018). Geosynchronous Continental Land-Atmosphere Sensing System (G-Class): Persistent Radar Imaging for Earth Science
- Hobbs SE, Convenevole C, Gashinova M, Cherniakov M & Cassidy S. (2018). Feasibility of Passive Bistatic Geosynchronous Radar Using Comsat Transmissions
- Palla C, Kingston J & Hobbs S. (2017). Development of commercial drag-augmentation systems for small satellites
- Hobbs S, Convenevole C, Guarnieri AM & Wadge G. (2016). Geostare system performance assessment methodology
- Guarnieri AM, Recchia A, Rocca F, Bombaci O, Germani C, .... (2016). Geosynchronous SAR for Terrain & atmosphere with short revisit (GeoSTARe)
- Makitaavola K, Stockel B-M, Sjoberg J, Hobbs S, Ekman J, .... (2016). Application of InSAR for monitoring deformations at the Kiirunavaara Mine
- Hobbs SE, Sanchez JP & Kingston J. (2015). Extended lifetime Laplace plane GEO SAR mission design
- Hao Z, Xu Q, Roberts P, Hobbs S & Kingston J. (2015). IAC-15-B4.8.11 System design for cubesat as a secondary payload for deep-space mission-A case study for esa asteroid impact mission
- Hobbs S, Guarnieri AM, Wadge G & Schulz D. (2014). GeoSTARe initial mission design
- Wadge G, Guarnie AM, Hobbs SE & Schul D. (2014). Potential atmospheric and terrestrial aplications of a geosynchronous radar
- Tomas LR, Hobbs SE, Roberts PE & Virgili Llop J. (2014). Design references and advantages of a VLEO SAR EO mission
- Hobbs SE, Mitchell C, Snapir B, Burren R, Whittaker P, .... (2013). Simulation of geosynchronous radar and atmospheric phase compensation constraints
- Carretero GS, Llop JV, Roberts PCE, Hobbs S, Kingston J, .... (2013). Passive aerostability for drag sails
- Wolahan A, Hobbs S & Shirran C. (2013). Deorbit device autonomy analysis for the EOL of satellites in LEO
- Sundararajah R, Hobbs S & Jennings J. (2010). Mars Magnus Aerobot Preliminary Design
- Delaune J, De Rosa D & Hobbs S. (2010). Guidance and Control system design for Lunar Descent and Landing
- Kingston JC, Hobbs SE & Roberts PCE. (2008). Satellite in-orbit servicing concepts
- Hobbs SE & Bruno D. (2008). SAR interferometry from geo-synchronous orbit
- Hobbs S. (2008). Models of plant motion based on field observations or where has my wheat gone?
- Bruno D, Hobbs SE & Ottavianelli G. (2006). Geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar: Concept design, properties and possible applications
- Bruno D, Hobbs SE & Ottavianelli G. (2005). Geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar: Concept design, properties and possible applications
- Ottavianelli G, Hobbs SE, Smith R & Bruno D. (2005). Assessment of SAR data and interferometric products for solid waste landfill management
- Roberts PCE, Bowling T & Hobbs S. (2005). MUSTANG: A Technology demonstrator for formation flying and distributed systems technologies in space
- Ottavianelli G, Hobbs SE, Smith R & Bruno D. (2005). The application of space-borne remote sensing for landfill management
- Ottavianelli G, Hobbs SE, Bruno D & Smith R. (2005). Earth Observation for Solid Waste Landfill Managem...
- Bruno D, Hobbs SE & Ottavianelli G. (2005). Geosynchronous Synthetic Aperture Radar: concept d...
- Hobbs Stephen . (2004). Dynamics and control issues for future multistatic spaceborne radars
- Bruno D & Hobbs S. (2004). Effect of atmospheric noise on SAR interferometry for DEM generation
- Andrews F, Hobbs SE, Honstvet I & Snelling M. (2004). Fundamental physical limits for the size of future planetary surface exploration systems
- Arnaud L, Stephen H & Ian H. (2004). Simulation of rigidly-linked nanosatellites
- Ottavianelli G, Hobbs S, Anderson E & Girard T. (2004). Remote sensing and geographical information systems in support of malaria epidemic early warnings and control requirements and current issues for an operational programme
- Morel Q, Hobbs S & Kruijff M. (2003). Cranfield's inherently safe re-entry capsule design for YES2
- Smith R & Hobbs S. (2000). Fuzzy sets for cloud detection in ATSR-2 images over land
- Smith R & Hobbs S. (2000). Cloud Detection over Land Surfaces inATSR-2 Images
- Hobbs SE, Bowling TS, Gabriel SB, Tatnall AR & Snelling M. (2000). A UK student nanosatellite
- Hobbs SE, Ang W & Seynat C. (1998). Wind and rain effects on SAR backscatter from crops
- Seynat C & Hobbs S. (1998). Crop parameter retrieval with multi-temporal SAR coherence images
- Lee SH, Le Dilosquer M, Singh R, Hobbs SE, Giannakopoulos C, .... (1997). Implications of NOy emissions from subsonic aircraft at cruise altitude
- Ang W & Hobbs SE. (1997). Weather effects on radar backscatter from crops
Books
- Hobbs S, Stansbery G & de Carvalho TM. (2019). Space Waste In Letcher T & Vallero DA (eds), Waste. Elsevier.
- Hobbs S, Stansbery G & de Carvalho TM. (2019). Chapter 30 Space Waste In Waste. Elsevier.
- Hobbs S(ed.). (2006). Proceedings of 7th Conference on the Dynamics and Control of Systems and Structures in Space.
- 393612 - Citation not available
- Hobbs S(ed.). (2004). Proceedings of 6th Conference on Dynamics and Control of Systems and Structures in Space. (1st)
- Hobbs SE & Thomas G. (1997). A Goodness-of-Fit Measure Applied to Spectral Mixture Modelling In Image Processing: Mathematical Methods and Applications. Oxford University PressOxford.
