Professional Experience

NASA Ames Research Center | Satellite Systems Engineering Intern

June 2019 - August 2019

At Ames Research Center I worked as a systems engineer with the Advanced Composites Solar Sail System (ACS3) project team. I operated as an assistant to the Mission Systems Engineer, and completed tasks on a weekly as-needed basis.
One of my primary tasks involved calculating orbital debris collision probabilities and verifying the results using NASA’s Debris Assessment Software. As this analysis progressed and evolved, I created a technical presentation that verified ACS3 meets NASA Standard 8719.14A Process for Limiting Orbital Debris.
Another major task was to evaluate potential problems with communication blockages from satellite appendages and the solar sail membrane. To address this issue, I modeled ACS3 in AGI STK (Systems Tool Kit) to determine the optimal patch antenna placement to minimize the issue and generate a corresponding link budget and time-in-view of ground station. This analysis was done using the AzEl Mask Tool to allow STK to interpret the satellite geometry when evaluating the ground track.
Additional major tasks included drafting an Interface Control Document to define specifications and standards for interfaces between all electrical hardware and software components of spacecraft payload, generating and baselining Level 2 and Level 3 requirements, and evaluating the ACS3 mission against NASA Requirements Compliance Matrices. All of these tasks provided experience in topics ranging from space traffic management, trajectory planning, Radio Frequency communications, requirements generation, documentation, and presentation skills.

NASA Johnson Space Center | Mission Design Software Engineering Intern

January 2019 - May 2019

At Johnson Space Center I worked in the Exploration Mission Planning Office developing BLAST (Beyond LEO Architecture Sizing Tool), a program used for spacecraft mass estimation for human-rated vehicles and mission architecture design.
My work included programming in C++ and utilizing the Qt GUI library to fix and improve BLAST by diagnosing bugs, implementing new user input options, and fixing logical sizing issues. This included modeling potential solutions to logical issues with BLAST by creating a MATLAB script to randomly generate and systematically evaluate hundreds of possible user input combinations.
After implementing these improvements, I utilized BLAST and Excel to conduct trade-space studies on potential 2024 Human Lunar Exploration architectures. I evaluated designs with varying propellant combinations, staging orbits, launch vehicles, and spacecraft designs.
Finally, in this position I co-authored a paper with my mentor and other professionals in my office looking at the potential for a crewed mission to the dwarf planet Ceres. My task for this paper was to create a pork-chop plot in MATLAB evaluating the ideal launch window and associated characteristic orbital energy.
This internship took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to learn a variety of new skills, including programming in multiple languages, spacecraft design, mission architecture design, trajectory analysis, and even presentation skills. Overall, I had the incredible opportunity to explore Johnson Space Center and meet Astronauts, Flight Directors, and Engineers while contributing to NASA’s goal of pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Javan Engineering | Electrical Engineering Intern

May 2018 - August 2018

At Javan Engineering as a returning Intern I worked in the Electrical Engineering office. My primary contributions included reviewing and verifying 10 Safety Assurance Packages for high pressure vessel systems using quantitative risk analysis and fluid dynamics as part of a $2.2 million dollar contract. I additionally developed Electrical CAD models for conduit planning and face-plate design using AutoCAD and interpreted client RS Logix programs used in the control and automation of Industrial Plants. Finally, I researched and obtained technical information and drawings from over 30 vendors, clients, and manufacturers.

Javan Engineering | Mechanical Engineering Intern

June 2017 - August 2017

My summer between high school and my freshman year at Purdue I interned with Javan Engineering, a local process-mechanical and electrical engineering firm for industrial and pharmaceutical plants. My primary contribution was creating a user-friendly mathematical model in Excel for high pressure vessels. This model allowed for input of height, width, substance level and vessel head style, and output the necessary safety precautions, including references to ASME and pressure relief systems. The creation of this excel sheet cut down calculation time by 95% and displayed results in deliverable format. This was my first real engineering experience and taught me all about the skills required to succeed in engineering.