Vargas Research Lab
Research Program
Current Mission: Aspera
The 50-Year Mystery
For half a century, astronomers could only detect the “missing” gas in galaxies when it blocked background light. Most of the raw material that creates stars and planets has been invisible to us.
Revolutionary Approach
Aspera changes everything – serving as our night-vision goggles to create the first complete maps of this hidden matter. Unlike traditional billion-dollar telescopes, our small satellite proves breakthrough discoveries are possible at 1% of typical costs.
Timeline
Launching with Rocket Lab in 2026.
Research Philosophy
Innovation Through Constraints
When resources are limited, creativity flourishes. My research approach and lived experience leverages constraints as drivers of innovation, proving that groundbreaking science doesn't require enormous budgets—just thoughtful engineering and bold vision.
Small, Agile Missions
The future of space science lies in nimble, focused missions that can be developed quickly and cost-effectively. This approach democratizes space research, enabling institutions worldwide to participate in cutting-edge discovery no matter their level of resources.
Future Vision
Mapping the Universe's Hidden Architecture
My vision is to usher in a new era in astronomy, where mapping the circumgalactic medium in emission lines becomes routine rather than impossible. With Aspera as the first mission to demonstrate this capability for nearby galaxies, we can unlock our understanding of the vast gas networks that connect galaxies and drive their evolution—astronomy's next great leap forward.
Multi-Scale Observatory Network
Achieving this vision requires orchestrating observations across multiple scales: constellations of small satellites like Aspera for wide-field surveys, specialized larger space observatories for detailed follow-up, and flagship missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory for unprecedented sensitivity and resolution.
Transforming Cosmological Understanding
By combining these scales of observation, we'll finally understand how matter flows between galaxies, how cosmic structures evolve, and how the universe's largest systems shape star and planet formation. This multi-scale approach will revolutionize our understanding of cosmic evolution itself.
