Kathleen Morse, Ph.D.

Kathleen Morse, Ph.D., is the founder of Yosemite Space, where she leads the development and evaluation of advanced technologies for space applications. Her work spans space electronics, radiation effects, SmallSat systems, prototyping, and emerging concepts for autonomous space systems.

Kathleen holds a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University, where she subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in physics.

Before founding Yosemite Space, Kathleen spent seven years at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, developing and leading advanced technology programs in areas including radiation effects in electronics, space radiation shielding, optical metamaterials, advanced materials, and experimental test systems. Her work combined modeling and analysis with the development and testing of prototype hardware.

At Yosemite Space, Kathleen has led programs evaluating commercial-off-the-shelf electronics for space applications, including hardware exposed to the space environment aboard the International Space Station. She served as Principal Investigator for the NASA SBIR-funded Resilient Affordable CubeSat Processor (RACP) and led radiation testing and analysis supporting Team Miles in NASA’s Cube Quest competition. Yosemite Space subsequently developed CubeSTAR, a derivative of the RACP architecture designed to support mission autonomy.

More recently, Kathleen has been exploring autonomous self-assembly concepts for large space structures, with potential applications ranging from habitats and shelters to next-generation space telescopes. This work combines system concepts with hands-on design, fabrication, and testing using Yosemite Space’s in-house 3D printing and CNC capabilities.

Kathleen is an active member of the COSMIC consortium and participates in the broader community advancing in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing.