Dark Matter Searches in Milky Way Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Gamma-ray observations of Milky Way satellite provide one of the most sensitive and robust ways to probe WIMP dark matter. Satellite galaxies are compelling targets for dark matter searches due to their proximity, high dark matter content, and low astrophysical backgrounds. Detailed studies of the stellar kinematics of satellite galaxies precisely determine their dark matter content. In this talk, I will discuss the systematic uncertainties in determining the dark matter content of satellite galaxies from stellar kinematics, and the impacts on WIMP dark matter annihilation/decay cross section limits. I will discuss the modeling of new satellites recently discovered by the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and their impact on indirect dark matter searches. Finally I will discuss how current and future optical imaging surveys will improve our understanding of satellites dark matter distributions.