The Engineering Team is tasked with the development and execution of an Observation Program that best meets the needs of the facility users and Observatory Group Members. As such, the team works to train and coordinate Telescope Operators. Further, the team works to identify avenues for improvement within the facility and develop the expertise to maintain the equipment, when possible. All telescope operations and facility equipment are also documented and/or inventoried by the Engineering Team.
![](https://observatory.umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/449/2024/07/20240509_operationsPhoto-1024x635.jpg)
Left-to-right: Connor Kragh, Sophie Hammer, John Hickey, Azzan Porter, Vianne Stanford, Brayden Rosling, Dimitry Sushon, Samuel Silva, Elammen Batista, Percy Yu
Photographer: Roy Prouty
The current Chief Engineer is Connor Kragh, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with an expected graduation of 2025. Connor has been working with the UMBC Observatory Group since May 2023.