Dr. Vania Da Deppo is a senior technologist at CNR-Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies in Padova. She obtained her PhD in Space Science and Technologies from Padova University in 2003.
From 1998 onwards, she has been involved in the optical design, implementation, testing and calibration of numerous space instruments. Starting from the WAC for the Rosetta mission, to SIMBIO-SYS on-board the BepiColombo spacecraft, METIS for the Solar Orbiter mission, Ariel, EnVisS for Comet Interceptor and other ongoing and upcoming ESA and NASA missions. Additionally, she has also contributed to the design and realization of instruments for industrial applications, with a particular focus on the ophthalmic sector.
At present, she is the Principal Investigator of the EnVisS camera for the Comet Interceptor mission.
She is scientific coordinator of different Work Packages in ASI-INAF contracts aimed at studying and developing innovative space optical instrumentation, and scientific responsible and WP Leader of technological development programs funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Her primary roles include:
Lead Scientist of the EnVisS instrument and member of the Science Working Team of the Comet Interceptor ESA mission
Chair of the Calibration WG of SIMBIO-SYS for the ESA BepiColombo mission.
Lead of the Topical Team “Comets and other solar system bodies” and member of the Project Office of the Metis instrument on-board the Solar Orbiter ESA mission.
Co-I of OSIRIS on Rosetta, SIMBIO-SYS/STC on BepiColombo, Metis on Solar Orbiter, CaSSIS on ExoMars TGO.