Cassie Todd, a University of Central Florida (UCF) alumna who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 2014, has played a significant role in advancing satellite technology as part of Capella Space. Her name is etched on multiple satellites orbiting Earth, including Acadia, Denali, Sequoia, and Whitney.
Capella Space’s satellites use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology that enables high-resolution imaging from space. This capability allows for monitoring various global issues such as tracking wildlife without disturbance, observing volcanic activity, assessing infrastructure integrity in cities, detecting oil spills at sea, identifying illegal logging activities in the Amazon rainforest, and mapping floods to help prevent natural disasters. The SAR technology also works through cloud cover and darkness. In one notable instance, imagery from Capella satellites combined with Google Maps data alerted the world to Russia’s imminent invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Reflecting on her work at Capella Space since joining as “employee number 20” in 2017—when the company was still a startup—Todd said: “It tends to be a conversation piece at parties.” She added: “Whenever I hear how the data from our satellites is being used, it gives me this great feeling that my work is being used as a positive force in the world.”
As assembly integration and test lead for Capella’s first satellite project, Denali, Todd managed design tasks and component integration while ensuring everything stayed on schedule for launch. She even personally transported the satellite nearly 300 miles from San Francisco to Vandenberg Air Force Base for its inaugural launch. The successful deployment of Denali marked Capella as the first U.S. company to send a commercial radar satellite into space.
Todd credits her early experiences at UCF—including involvement with student engineering organizations and mentorship—for helping her overcome doubts about fitting into STEM fields. “Being with [people at UCF] who’d been successful in STEM professions helped me see through the imposter syndrome,” she recalled.
Now mentoring students herself and participating in career fairs at schools, Todd encourages young people by sharing her journey and inviting them to imagine their names on future space-bound hardware. “It’s an easy sell,” she says, “especially when they imagine putting their own names on those cool things someday.”
UCF continues its legacy as “America’s Space University,” celebrating achievements like Todd’s during events such as UCF Space Week.
