The research will support the optimization of very long baseline radio interferometric (VLBI) systems in space through international collaborations with Russia and Japan. Ultimately, space VLBI will be used to probe high-energy phenomena in the cores of quasars and active galactic nuclei, leading to a better understanding of the physical processes that occur in the vicinity of black holes. Mission planning will include graduate and undergraduate students. Mission requirements will spur the development of lower-noise circuitry and high-data-rate transmissions from space. ***
