IEEE Atlanta AP/MTT is starting a series where we present the research work done by local researchers in the Atlanta area. We are proud to have Dr. Michael Peterson from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) present a talk titled: FulminoSat: A CubeSat Constellation to Study the Ionosphere with Multi-Modal Lightning Signals. This talk will be held at the GTRI Conference Center auditorium on February 11, 2026 (Wednesday) at 4pm EST. Light refreshments will be served during the talk. Please register to attend in-person. Talk abstract can be read below. Hope to see you there! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talk Abstract: The modern interconnected world increasingly relies on technologies that are impacted by space weather. Common modes of radio communications are susceptible to disruption from all types of solar storms that perturb the ionospheric plasma. Disturbances impact signal propagation or create communications blackout conditions in critical high-latitude regions. Our ability to monitor these disturbances is limited to land via sensor density, to serendipitous orbital alignments, or to the source of the ionospheric disturbance – X-rays, energetic electrons, or energetic protons – in the case of operational modeling. Improvements to the spatial and temporal sampling of ionospheric disturbances regardless of radiation source is needed to provide improved situational awareness of disturbances, to quantify risk and impacts to advanced technologies, and to understand basic ionospheric physics questions. We are developing the FulminoSat constellation that will use distributed multi-modal space-based sensing of signals of opportunity (lightning) to complement current sensing systems to meet these needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is IEEE AP/MTT? In Atlanta, the local chapters for the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) and Microwave Theory and Technique Society (MTT-S) are merged to form the joint AP/MTT chapter. We are composed of members at various stages of their careers, who work and do research in various electromagnetics disciplines, like antenna design, microwave circuits, RF systems analysis, etc. We welcome any students, young professionals, researchers, and senior engineers in Atlanta to join our joint-chapter and participate in our technical and service activities. Speaker(s): Michael Room: Auditorium, Bldg: GTRI Conference Center, 250 14th St NW, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30318