Ryan Lingo professional headshot - GIS Database Engineer

About Me

I'm a software developer whose work spans web applications, database systems, and space technology. Previously I built a 3D UAP visualization tool for the FAA that was reviewed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That work changed the trajectory of my career. Today I develop internal applications for New Jersey DEP while independently advancing the Orbital Zoning Framework and documenting my experience in Plausibly Deniable.

Professional Experience

GIS Database Engineer

Develop Python-based geoprocessing tools for transportation and spatial datasets, automating workflows for national geospatial programs. Manage geodatabases with ArcGIS Enterprise and PostgreSQL; built replica-sync automation with integrated validation and email reporting. Improved operational efficiency across nationwide datasets, reducing manual QA/QC time by over 30%.

Software Development Specialist

Maintain and develop internal web applications for New Jersey DEP, focusing on database-driven document generation systems with dynamic merge fields. Work with stored procedures and database functions to support application logic, optimize file compression workflows, and provide technical support to resolve end-user application errors.

GIS Developer/Automation Support

Built a Python-based 3D airspace visualization system that mapped aircraft positions against satellite orbital paths using Skyfield and sun-angle geometry. Enabled analysts to evaluate pilot-reported UAP sightings by testing line-of-sight intersections with Starlink constellation passes. Work was reviewed by ODNI and co-authored abstract accepted for presentation at the 2023 ESRI User Conference.

Geographer

Designed Python tools for spatial analysis and data-quality control supporting nationwide geographic programs. Developed quality-control systems and completed advanced training in ArcPy and Machine Learning. Contributed to the modernization of federal geographic datasets and analytical pipelines.

Resume

Download my complete professional resume for detailed information about my experience and qualifications.

Download Resume (PDF)

Technical Skills

Comprehensive expertise across cloud computing, GIS systems, data analysis, and full-stack development.

Programming & Automation

Python SQL JavaScript HTML/CSS Git

Cloud & Infrastructure

AWS Lambda AWS Amplify AWS SES DynamoDB API Gateway S3 EC2 BOTO3 Terraform

GIS & Spatial Systems

ArcGIS Suite QGIS ArcPy Spatial Databases Geospatial Data Formats

Data & Analytics

PostgreSQL Tableau Power BI Pandas SPSS

Enterprise & Tools

Microsoft 365 SharePoint JIRA GitLab Adobe Creative Suite Linux/Windows

Orbital Shell Visualization

Interactive 3D visualization demonstrating orbital zone concepts for LEO and MEO regions. The underlying framework now uses proper orbital elements (altitude, inclination, eccentricity) for stable, permanent zone assignments.

Note: This visualization reflects the original RAAN-based shell architecture. The current OZF system uses proper orbital elements as described above. See the architecture blog post for details on the rebuild.

Loading orbital visualization...

Orbital Zoning Framework (OZF)

A scientific classification system for Earth orbit that assigns every tracked satellite to a stable, physically meaningful zone using proper orbital elements. The framework organizes near-Earth space into 13,932 discrete zones defined by three stable axes: proper semi-major axis (altitude), proper inclination, and proper eccentricity — quantities that remain constant for decades rather than shifting daily. Each zone represents a permanent orbital address for satellite coordination, space traffic management, and regulatory planning.

🛰️ LEO (Low Earth Orbit) - 200–2,000km

LEO-A550_600-I50_55-E0

Example: A Starlink satellite at 550km altitude, 53° inclination, near-circular orbit (E0: eccentricity < 0.0005). This zone assignment remains valid for the satellite's entire operational life.

System Importance: LEO contains 11,664 zones tracking 31,000+ objects. Proper elements enable stable zone assignments that don't shift with RAAN precession, making them viable for long-term space traffic management and mega-constellation coordination.

🛰️ MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) - 2,000–36,000km

MEO-A20150_20250-I55_60-E3

Example: GPS Block III satellite at ~20,200km, 55° inclination, low eccentricity (E3: 0.002–0.005). Completes one orbit every 12 hours, maintaining precise timing signals for global positioning.

System Importance: MEO's 2,268 zones ensure GPS coverage supporting $1.4 trillion in annual economic benefits. Stable zone definitions prevent signal interference and maintain precision timing critical for financial markets, transportation, and emergency services.

🛰️ Eccentricity Classification — 9 Bins

E0 (near-circular) → E8 (highly elliptical)

Examples: E0 (<0.0005): Starlink, OneWeb · E1 (0.0005–0.001): ISS · E3 (0.002–0.005): GLONASS · E7 (0.05–0.25): GTO fragments · E8 (0.25–1.0): Molniya orbits

System Importance: Non-uniform bins provide fine resolution where satellites cluster (near-circular) and wider bins where populations are sparse. This third axis replaced the unstable RAAN parameter, which precesses 1–7° per day in LEO — making previous zone assignments obsolete within days.

Technical Implementation

  • CesiumJS 1.109 - WebGL-based 3D geospatial rendering engine
  • Brouwer J2 Theory - Proper element computation via analytical secular theory
  • 13,932 Zones - LEO (11,664) and MEO (2,268) with 9 eccentricity classes
  • PostgreSQL - 31,360 satellite records with zone assignments
  • AWS Amplify - Serverless deployment and CI/CD pipeline
  • Space-Track.org - US Space Force TLE catalog as data source

Real-World Applications

  • Constellation Management - Starlink, OneWeb orbital coordination
  • Space Traffic Control - NASA/ESA collision avoidance protocols
  • Launch Window Planning - SpaceX, Blue Origin trajectory optimization
  • Regulatory Framework - FCC spectrum allocation and orbital slots
  • Insurance & Risk Assessment - Satellite collision probability modeling
  • Defense Applications - Space domain awareness and asset protection

Get In Touch

Interested in discussing GIS development, geospatial automation, or cloud infrastructure projects? Let's connect to explore how we can work together.

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