Dr. Thomas Loudis Papanikolaou is a geodesist who works in fields of satellite geodesy and astrodynamics with expertise in precise orbit determination and gravity field modelling. His research also includes orbital dynamics of Low Earth Orbiters (LEOs), data analysis of satellite gravity missions (GRACE Follow-On, GRACE, GOCE), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), numerical integration methods for orbital mechanics, space mission design.

Thomas has developed GEORB (Gravity and precisE ORBit determination system), an open source software package for precise orbit determination of LEOs, gravity field recovery and orbit design of space missions. He led the research and design of the GNSS Precise Orbit Determination of GINAN, a key component of Australia's Positioning programme.  

Thomas is currently working on the design of an Earth orbital space monitoring system and concepts of future space missions. His research contributes towards contemporary problems of Earth Sciences and Space research including Earth mass and water monitoring, climate change and space situational awareness. He is a member of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), the European Geosciences Union (EGU), the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Quantum Geodesy project (WG Q.2).