Allison A. Barto
Director at BAE Systems Inc
SPIE Involvement:
Conference Program Committee | Symposium Chair | Author | Editor | Instructor
Area of Expertise:
astronomical telescopes , optical systems engineering , program managment , systems engineering , earth observing , remote sensing
Profile Summary

Allison Barto is a director at Ball Aerospace, specializing in developing complex space systems from vision to orbit. She currently oversees Ball’s military weather programs, focused on building the Weather System Follow-On – Microwave vehicles for the US Space Force to address critical defense weather data gaps. Prior to her current position, Allison spent over two decades developing payloads for NASA, including 17 years in both technical and leadership roles for the James Webb Space Telescope at Ball Aerospace, where whe led the team responsible for delivery of the optics and electronics for the 22-foot-wide Telescope, as well as for the overall optical design, verification, and on-orbit optical phasing and commissioning of the Observatory. With experience building complex and audacious space assets, Allison continues to look to the future of space telescopes. She was part of NASA’s recent in-Space Assembled Telescope Study and is part of the follow-on SMART Think Tank on in-space servicing, manufacturing, and assembly, she served on a program panel for the National Academies Astro2020 decadal review process which establishes national priorities for astrophysics space missions and ground facilities, and she serves on the Management Advisory Committee for the European Southern Observatory's Extremely Large Telescope project. Allison is an SPIE Fellow and recipient of the Women in Aerospace Achievement Award.

When not building next generation space systems, Barto fuels her passion for STEM by participating in education outreach, promoting inquiry based learning, and educational equity and opportunity. Barto served as the co-lead of the Ball Corporation Women’s Resource Group from 2012-2018, supporting the corporation’s Diversity & Inclusion goals to support women at Ball and the next generation of female STEM professionals.
Publications (28)

SPIE Journal Paper | 15 November 2023 Open Access
JATIS, Vol. 10, Issue 01, 011204, (November 2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.10.1.011204
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Telescopes, Inspection, Online learning, Observatories, Thermal stability, Temperature metrology, Design, Cryogenics, Interfaces

SPIE Journal Paper | 15 November 2023
Allison Barto, Paul Lightsey, Tim Schoeneweis, Gregory Wirth
JATIS, Vol. 10, Issue 01, 011205, (November 2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.10.1.011205
KEYWORDS: Design, Systems modeling, James Webb Space Telescope, Equipment, Performance modeling, Telescopes, Systems engineering, Hubble Space Telescope, Analytic models, Observatories

Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Presentation
Proceedings Volume 11450, 114500Y (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2564174
KEYWORDS: Telecommunications, Process control, Astronomy, Observatories, Cameras, Astronomical telescopes

Proceedings Article | 9 September 2019 Presentation
Proceedings Volume 11115, 111150T (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529722
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Computer architecture, Systems modeling

Proceedings Article | 10 July 2018 Presentation
Proceedings Volume 10698, 1069824 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312358
KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Optical instrument design, Telescopes

Proceedings Article | 6 July 2018 Presentation + Paper
Erin Wolf, Benjamin Gallagher, J. Scott Knight, Taylor Chonis, Joseph Sullivan, Koby Smith, Andrew Rudeen, Kevin Babcock, Bruce Hardy, Allison Barto, Eric Coppock, Clinton Davis
Proceedings Volume 10698, 1069808 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312872
KEYWORDS: Actuators, Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Phase shifts, Space telescopes, Cryogenics, Telescopes, Observatories, Segmented mirrors

Proceedings Article | 6 July 2018 Presentation + Paper
Proceedings Volume 10698, 1069804 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312276
KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Cryogenics, Telescopes, Optical alignment, Space telescopes, Photogrammetry, Monte Carlo methods, Actuators

Proceedings Article | 5 September 2017 Presentation + Paper
A. Barto, S. Winters, J. Burge, D. Davies, H. Doty, R. Richer, P. Seyforth
Proceedings Volume 10401, 104010N (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2274808
KEYWORDS: Cameras, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Composites, Optical alignment, Optical fabrication, Structural design, Optical fabrication equipment, Telescopes

Proceedings Article | 29 July 2016 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9904, 99043Y (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228620
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Optical components, Phase modulation, Actuators, Optical alignment, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Shape memory alloys, Neodymium

Proceedings Article | 28 August 2014 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9143, 91433O (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2054806
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Phase modulation, Actuators, Optimization (mathematics), Aerospace engineering, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Space mirrors, Polishing

Proceedings Article | 18 July 2014 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9151, 91515W (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055031
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Cryogenics, Optical testing, Fiber optics tests, Fiber optics, Optical fiber cables, Adaptive optics, Neodymium, Signal attenuation, Space telescopes

Proceedings Article | 25 September 2012 Paper
Proceedings Volume 8449, 84490V (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926814
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Observatories, Systems modeling, Telescopes, Interfaces, Sensors, Integrated modeling, Space telescopes, Data modeling

Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper
Proceedings Volume 8442, 84422G (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926817
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Aerospace engineering, James Webb Space Telescope, Wavefronts, Image quality, Telescopes, Vignetting, Observatories, Space telescopes, Optical components

Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper
A. Barto, D. Acton, P. Finley, B. Gallagher, B. Hardy, J. Knight, P. Lightsey
Proceedings Volume 8442, 84422I (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924596
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Actuators, Failure analysis, Telescopes, Shape memory alloys, James Webb Space Telescope, Tolerancing, Cryogenics, Image segmentation, Space telescopes

Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper
Proceedings Volume 8442, 84422C (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926816
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Wavefronts, James Webb Space Telescope, Space telescopes, Optical alignment, Observatories, Telescopes, Adaptive optics, Actuators, Phase modulation

Proceedings Article | 21 September 2012 Paper
D. Scott Acton, J. Scott Knight, A. Contos, Stefano Grimaldi, J. Terry, P. Lightsey, A. Barto, B. League, Bruce Dean, J. Scott Smith, Charles Bowers, D. Aronstein, L. Feinberg, W. Hayden, T. Comeau, R. Soummer, E. Elliott, M. Perrin, Carl Starr
Proceedings Volume 8442, 84422H (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925015
KEYWORDS: Image segmentation, Telescopes, Wavefronts, Space telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Phase modulation, Control systems, Image processing, Phase retrieval, Monochromatic aberrations

Proceedings Article | 29 September 2011 Paper
Proceedings Volume 8150, 815007 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892222
KEYWORDS: Phase modulation, Optical testing, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Optical alignment, Optical fabrication, Cryogenics, Photogrammetry, Adaptive optics, Interferometers

Proceedings Article | 5 August 2010 Paper
Proceedings Volume 7731, 77310B (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.859091
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Polishing, Shape memory alloys, Cryogenics, Image segmentation, Spatial frequencies, Wavefront sensors

Proceedings Article | 4 August 2010 Paper
Proceedings Volume 7738, 773815 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858349
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Data modeling, Optical alignment, Observatories, Motion models, Adaptive optics, Systems modeling, Phase modulation, Integrated modeling

Proceedings Article | 4 August 2010 Paper
Proceedings Volume 7738, 77381Z (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858348
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Observatories, Image quality, Space telescopes, Optical alignment, Telescopes, Image analysis, Data modeling, Statistical analysis

Proceedings Article | 12 July 2008 Paper
Proceedings Volume 7010, 70100S (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786984
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Interfaces, Calibration, Wavefront sensors, Observatories, Cryogenics, Aerospace engineering

Proceedings Article | 12 July 2008 Paper
Proceedings Volume 7010, 70100P (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790483
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Adaptive optics, Telescopes, Actuators, Optical testing, Optical alignment, Space telescopes, Shape memory alloys, Observatories

Proceedings Article | 17 September 2007 Paper
K. Martinez, J. Sullivan, A. Barto, J. Lewis, R. Franck, T. Dreher, B. Shogrin, J. Sokol, W. Tandy
Proceedings Volume 6666, 66660S (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.738609
KEYWORDS: Beryllium, Adaptive optics, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Cryogenics, Acousto-optics, Optical benches, Interfaces, Space telescopes, Optical components

Proceedings Article | 23 June 2006 Paper
Proceedings Volume 6271, 62710Z (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669072
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Wavefront sensors, Observatories, Space operations, Databases, Optical components, Cameras, Wavefronts, Error control coding

Proceedings Article | 22 June 2006 Paper
Proceedings Volume 6271, 62710A (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672448
KEYWORDS: Observatories, James Webb Space Telescope, Image quality, Mirrors, Cryogenics, Space telescopes, Data modeling, Telescopes, Optical components, Optical testing

Proceedings Article | 10 June 2006 Paper
Proceedings Volume 6265, 62650X (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669067
KEYWORDS: Image segmentation, Mirrors, Image processing, James Webb Space Telescope, Wavefronts, Observatories, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Image processing algorithms and systems, Actuators

Proceedings Article | 12 October 2004 Paper
Proceedings Volume 5487, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550091
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Point spread functions, Phase modulation, Spatial frequencies, Telescopes, Wavefronts, Image quality, Metrology, Space telescopes

Proceedings Article | 12 October 2004 Paper
Proceedings Volume 5487, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550088
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Point spread functions, Phase modulation, Wavefronts, Anisotropy, Error analysis, Space telescopes, Mirrors, Spatial frequencies, Telescopes

Showing 5 of 28 publications
Proceedings Volume Editor (4)

Conference Committee Involvement (11)
Astronomical Applications
3 August 2025 | San Diego, United States
UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts XII
3 August 2025 | San Diego, California, United States
UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts XI
20 August 2023 | San Diego, California, United States
UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts X
2 August 2021 | San Diego, California, United States
UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts IX
11 August 2019 | San Diego, California, United States
SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation
10 June 2018 | Austin, United States
UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts VIII
6 August 2017 | San Diego, California, United States
SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation
26 June 2016 | Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation
23 June 2014 | Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave
22 June 2014 | Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave
1 July 2012 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
Showing 5 of 11 Conference Committees
Course Instructor
SC1139: Systems Engineering and Large Telescope Observatories
Modern astronomical observatories are becoming larger and more complex with many components working together to achieve the common goal of gathering useful information for astro-scientists. Successful engineering of these observatories is enabled by following a systems engineering viewpoint of looking at the whole. This viewpoint requires a multidisciplinary breadth and the ability to find a balance among 1) the system user's needs and desires, 2) the manager's funding and schedule constraints, and 3) the capabilities and ambitions of the engineering specialists who develop and build the system. The system engineer is sometimes described as the person on the program who should know the partial derivative of every parameter of the system with respect to every other parameter. This course introduces the concepts and models that are used to evolve a system from an abstract vision to the final validated and verified operational system. Examples are given that provide insight into the variety of engineering disciplines and typical subsystems found in observatories for optical astronomy observatories (X-ray through IR).
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