Millennium Space Systems
As a Spacecraft Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations Engineer at Millennium Space Systems, I have worked on multiple SmallSat programs for both DoD and IC customers. In this role I have written procedures, acted as both a Test Conductor and Test Operator, performed first line problem solving, and developed Neptune CGA displays for the test and operation of spacecraft.
My current position at Millennium Space Systems is as a Spacecraft Electrical Systems Engineer. In this role I have developed EGSE and flight harnesses for multiple space mission programs, become the Responsible Engineer for Millennium Space harness testing, worked various proposals, and interfaced on a near daily basis with executives while implementing a Enterprise Resource Planning system as an engineering/process subject matter expert. I have also started Millennium's first community volunteering effort. |
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Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology CenterAs a Research Engineering Intern at the ATC I was tasked with standing up a cryogenic optical research lab. To start, I was asked to reverse engineer the processes required to develop cold temperatures. Initially, I spent the first week reading research papers to understand the principles on how similar machines produced low temperatures and how the optical system worked. As there was no available documentation on our specific apparatus, I took it apart to identify its method of operation. I used a multi meter as well as some educated guessing to develop an idea of how the machine operated. Once this was done, I adapted a MATLAB script from another project to run the apparatus. Once I altered the code a few times, I was able to produce the cold temperatures required.
Once this was done, I attempted to identify how the optical portion of the system worked. I once again dismantled the apparatus and used a multimeter to track the what commands were sent along which circuits. Using Visio, I created a detailed system diagram of how the system worked. Once I completed this, however, my mentors' priorities changed and I was moved over to a new project. |
The second phase of my internship at the Advanced Technology Center focused on the analysis of data from the GOES-16 spacecraft's Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) payload. The purpose of GLM is to detect the appearances of lightning over the western hemisphere. As lightning is generally a precursor to a tornado, this payload is hoped to increase warning times from thirty seconds up to five minutes. During my analysis it was noticed that there was an issue with the images taken by GLM modules built for future GOES spacecraft. As these are identical, it was hypothesized that the same problem could be occurring on the GOES-16 GLM. Using MATLAB, I ran a detailed analysis of every picture taken by the flight model currently on-orbit, as well as going into clean rooms and performing the same tests on the flight models currently being tested. I later reported the results of my analysis to a NASA-Lockheed Review Board.
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Lockheed Martin - Advanced ProgramsAfter my work on GLM, I was transferred to the Advanced Programs Conceptual Design Team. As a member of this , I performed trade studies on how to meet the objectives of an upcoming program bid. Using Systems Tool Kit, I modeled constellations with various orbital characteristics, satellite buses, and payloads. To do this, I had to learn STK from scratch - something I was able to do within a week. At the end of my internship I presented my final concept and results in a multi-site presentation in which I was the sole presenter.
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SSL (Space Systems/Loral)My first internship was a Communications Vehicle Engineer position at SSL, where I performed assembly, integration, and test services. I spent my first week becoming a fully qualified spacecraft RF technician, and spend my second week in this role. After this, I was assigned to an engineer where I learned how to run tests, read engineering diagrams, and to operate a new testing system that was being trialed on our spacecraft. Impressed with my performance on the floor, my engineer assigned me to develop automated tests for our new test system. Once I was finished with these, he asked me to take over his on-floor responsibilities for the remainder of my internship.
In this role, I performed the vast majority of the RF test operations relating to our spacecraft, led a team of up to six technicians three times my age, interfaced with the other engineers assigned to the spacecraft, performed detailed tests, troubleshooted issues, worked with the test software team to refine the new test system, and helped other Communication Vehicle Engineers with the new test hardware as it was expanded to other projects. |
Lion Tech Rocket Labs
As a member of Lion Tech Rocket Labs, I am a part of a team competing in NASA's University Student Launch Competition. As a member of the Payload Subsystem, I have been personally responsible for the development of our rocket-deployed unmanned aerial vehicle : Kiwi. I initially proposed a teardrop-shaped capsule that would be deployed from apogee, guide itself to a designated landing area, hover, and perform a soft landing. This design was chosen due to the compact nature of the design, as we had to work within the confines of a 4.75 inch rocket. However, after a few months I learned about Vortex Ring State, which is when a helicopter tries to fly though air it has already disturbed. This meant that our landing would be uncontrolled.
Going back to the drawing board with only a few months left before the competition, we settled on another one of my ideas - replacing our capsule with a gyrocopter. As a gyrocopter borrows characteristics from both airplanes and helicopters, it would be compact and yet be able to perform the required soft landing. At first the design was similar to an attack helicopter with a propeller and large rudder. However, when I returned from a week's absence, I discovered that the design had been changed from a sleek aerodynamic design to a bulbous kiwi-shape that couldn't get out of its own way. The propeller was too small and created a pressure force on the body that negated all of the forward thrust it developed and the rotor was now too small as the weight had increased. This change in shape was due to a lack of communication between the senior electrical engineer and I on both the required and available internal volume. While I had made Kiwi's volume large enough to fit all the required components, I had neglected to provide enough room for the integration and testing of components. After some deliberation, we reached a compromise where I provided enough room for the components to be tested, and frontal pressure drag was reduced though a minimization of the cross section. I had also developed a larger propeller and rotor that were spring loaded to allow them into the available volume. To do the analysises required for this project, I used Solidworks's Fluid Dynamics module. |
Penn State Low Temperature Plasmas Group
Since sophomore year I have been an undergraduate researcher in Penn State's plasma research group. Penn State Plasmas is a a multidisciplinary group that performs research in the aerospace, biomedical, and mechanical fields. My main focus is the generation of Coronal Wind. In its simplest terms, Coronal Wind is the development of a bulk flow without the use of a mechanical device such as a fan. This technology can be analogous to a terrestrial ion engine. I have also worked on other projects such as medical device disinfection and wing anti-icing.
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