Current Students

Nitin Arora
4th Year PhD Student
Chandigarh, India
narora9@gatech.edu

Nitin works in trajectory design/optimization, ephemeris generation, mission design, and high performance parallel computing. Currently he is working on designing a new ephemeris generation software that would provide orders of magnitude of speed increase over current software during integration in a wide range of trajectory design and optimization problems. He is also working on parallelizing his research code.

Eammon Bemis
6th Year PhD Student
Maryville, TN
ebemis@gatech.edu

Eammon's research interests involve evaluating the risk and reliability associated with current Mars exploration architectures. His focus is on developing a novel approach for characterizing both risk and reliability in the ascent and descent phases of missions.

Kevin Bokelmann
2nd Year Masters Student
Cumming, GA
gth691h@mail.gatech.edu

Kevin is currently researching the endgame problem of entering scientific orbits from interplanetary trajectories with a focus on using V-infinity leveraging manuevers (VILMs) within the Jupiter and Saturn systems to reduce propellant requirements.

Joy Brathwaite
4th Year PhD Student
Houston, TX
gte214s@mail.gatech.edu

Joy's research focuses on the notion of value in engineering system design and its usage as a decision making tool. It is an interdisciplinary area combining economics and system design and optimization, which is intended to challenge the traditional cost-centric mindset. This work is expected to augment the current drive for the expansion and sustainability of best practices in Space Acquisitions.

Danny Browne
2nd Year Masters Student
Marietta, GA
danielcbrowne@gatech.edu

Danny's research focuses on the application of high performance parallel computing techniques in the area of orbital mechanics. He is currently looking at modifying serial algorithms to take advantage of parallel architectures.

Jean-Francois Castet
4th Year PhD Student
Toulouse, France
jcastet3@gatech.edu

Jean-Francois is working on developing a framework for characterizing and analysing survivability and resiliency of spacecraft and space-based networks. Some parts of the research also focuse on updating satellite reliability models.

Zarrin Chua
4th Year PhD Student
Springfield, VA
zarrin@gatech.edu

Zarrin's research involves the quantitative assessment of human EDL performance for space exploration systems. This work consists of developing computational human-in-the-loop trajectory simulations for comparative analysis to robotic systems, and aims to provide evidence for crew role and responsibilities during descent and landing. Zarrin is co-advised by Dr. Karen M. Feigh of the Georgia Tech Cognitive Engineering Center.

Chris Cordell
4th Year PhD Student
Cramerton, NC
chris.cordell@gatech.edu

Chris is investigating supersonic retropropulsion for planetary entry using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This involves validating solutions for different configurations on a blunt reentry body against previous experimental data and against solutions from other CFD codes. The work will also involve a parametric study of nozzle orientation within the vehicle and the effects that has on the aerodynamics of the reentry body.

Juan G. Cruz Ayoroa
1st Year Masters Student
San Juan, PR
jcruzayoroa3@gatech.edu

Juan is investigating aerothermodynamic considerations for hypersonic entry aeroshell shape optimization.

Soumyo Dutta
3rd Year PhD Student
Madison, TN
soumyo.dutta@gatech.edu

Som's current research involves entry, descent, and landing trajectory reconstruction for Mars missions, such as Phoenix and the upcoming MSL mission.

Matthew Fischer
1st Year Masters Student
Roswell, GA
gth890t@mail.gatech.edu

Michael Grant
5th Year PhD Student
Dayton, OH
michael.j.grant@gatech.edu

Mike is developing a conceptual design framework for high-performance, slender entry vehicles required for the Conventional Prompt Global Strike mission. His research focuses on developing the ability to perform simultaneous trajectory and vehicle design for conceptual studies. His efforts focus on rapid trajectory optimization and rapid hypersonic aerodynamic characterization of these guided entry vehicles.

Jeremy Hill
1st Year Masters Student
Midwest City, OK
jeremy.hill@gatech.edu

Jeremy's research involves design, analysis and testing of inflatable aerodynamic decelerators (IADs) for entry at Earth and Mars.

Jessica Juneau
1st Year Masters Student
Pineville, LA
jjuneau3@gatech.edu

Jessica is currently working on the Recovery of In-Space CubeSat Experiments (RICE) project, which seeks to design a system of flight vehicles capable of returning CubeSat payloads from LEO, GTO, and possibly from ISS. Such a capability would allow for on-ground lab analysis of CubeSat samples and has applications in micro/macro biology, materials science, and thermal protection system design and characterization. In addition, Jessica is also working on the Rapid Reconnaissance and Recovery (R³) nanosat design, which is currently competing in the University Nanosat Program.

Cole Kazemba
1st Year Masters Student
Rosholt, WI
ckazemba3@gatech.edu

Cole is currently developing a ballistic range test for dynamic stability characterization of Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators. He is also working on a systems level architecture study involving the use of Rigid Deployable Decelerators for landing human class missions on Mars in order to assess their feasibility and performance relative to Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators.

Ashley Korzun
5th Year PhD Student
Boiling Springs, PA
akorzun@gatech.edu

Ashley's research is focused on the development of supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) for high-mass planetary entry systems at Mars. Her work in this area includes technology roadmapping, systems-level modeling/analysis, flight test planning, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and supporting wind tunnel test planning.

Jarret Lafleur
4th Year PhD Student
Burrillville, RI
jarret.m.lafleur@gatech.edu

Jarret's research focused on developing a comprehensive systems engineering framework for evaluating flexible space systems. This framework will be applied to an Orbital Sciences / IBM / JPL / Georgia Tech proposal for the DARPA Systems F6 fractionated spacecraft concept.

Demyan Lantukh
2nd Year Masters Student
Milton, GA
demyan@gatech.edu

Demyan's research currently focuses on efficient high-fidelity gravity modeling for trajectory estimation and optimization, especially as it applies to lunar mission concepts and design. Other interests and future work include constellation design and novel space mission concepts.

Milad Mahzari
3rd Year PhD Student
Atlanta, GA
mmahzari3@gatech.edu

Milad's research involves developing an inverse parameter estimation tool used for reconstruction of aerothermal environment and Thermal Protection system (TPS) response based on temperature and recession measurements. Ultimately, this tool will be used with the flight data from upcoming MSL mission. The results will improve our understanding of aeroheating and TPS performance uncertainties for future missions.

Ian Meginnis
1st Year Masters Student
Indianapolis, IN
meginnis@gatech.edu

Ian is working on integrating a numeric predictor-corrector aerocapture algorithm (PredGuid) with the Planetary Entry Systems and Synthesis Tool (PESST). This will provide the capability to rapidly size and synthesize framework suitable for aerocapture entry systems for Earth, Mars, Venus, and Titan.

Matt Nehrenz
1st Year Masters Student
Redwood City, CA
mnehrenz3@gatech.edu

Matt's work involves mission design as well as attitude determination and control for SPORE. He is also involved with mission operations for the The Planetary Society's LightSail-1 solar sailing mission.

Richard Otero
7th Year PhD Student
New York, NY
rich.otero@gmail.com

Richard is currently pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and a MS degree in Computer Science. He has already obtained a MS degree in AE. His work has included the design and development of the Planetary Entry Systems Synthesis Tool (PESST) currently in use at JPL for the conceptual design of entry vehicles. His interests include: multidisciplinary design optimization, global trajectory optimization, automatic problem decomposition and artificial intelligence.

Hemanshu Patel
1st Year Masters Student
Albany, GA
h.patel@gatech.edu

Hemanshu is working with Dr. Russell on implementing a parallel computing code for the Modified Picard-Tchebycheff Method for satellite motion propagation problems.

Tom Pappas
1st Year Masters Student
Bethlehem, PA
tpappas3@gatech.edu

Tom is the structural subsystem lead for the R3 satellite, which is currently competing in the University Nanosat Program. Work for this project encompasses the design, fabrication, and testing of the satellite's structural components to meet flight qualifications. Tom is also working on Lightsail-1, a program led by the Planetary Society. The goal of the project is to deploy a solar sail from a cubesat to achieve a controlled acceleration from solar pressure.

Mandy Pietruszewski
2nd Year Masters Student
Pensacola, FL
gth694e@mail.gatech.edu

Mandy is the design lead for the Attitude and Orbit Determination and Control subsystem for the Rapid Reconnaissance and Response (R³) Mission, Georgia Tech's entry in the University Nanosat Program.

Zach Putnam
3rd Year PhD Student
Arlington, VA
zputnam@gatech.edu

Zach's research focuses on entry guidance, navigation, and control and its interactions with vehicle system and mission design.

Josh Ross
2nd Year Masters Student
Redmond, WA
jross37@gatech.edu

Josh is currently working on a software package that aids mission design by providing feasible gravity-assisted trajectories based on user-defined constraints. He is also researching Lissajous orbits with the intent of developing a simple tool for mission design and analysis.

Brad Steinfeldt
5th Year PhD Student
Rowlett, TX
bsteinfeldt@gatech.edu

Brad's research efforts focus on conceptual design of entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems emphasizing guidance, navigation, and control. His principal research area is in the development of robust guidance algorithms for pinpoint landing (sub-100m landed accuracies).

Chris Tanner
6th Year PhD Student
Independence, MO
christopher.tanner@gatech.edu

Aeroelastic analysis of supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerators (IADs), experimental aerodynamics of IADs.

John Theisinger
6th Year PhD Student
Houston, TX
john.e.theisinger@gatech.edu

John's current research involves the development of methods for hypersonic entry aeroshell shape optimization in order to increase landed mass capability. Configurations that maximize drag-area while satisfying a specified lift-to-drag ratio requirement will be determined. Trade studies will also include considerations for stability, aerothermodynamics, payload packaging, and mass estimation for both blunt and slender bodies.

Robert Thompson
7th Year PhD Student
Waterford, VA
Bob.Thompson@gatech.edu

Bob Thompson is researching methodologies for designing space transportation architectures. He is interested in developing techniques for probabilistic optimization of complex architecture design problems for use at the conceptual stage of design.

Vivek Vittaldev
1st Year Masters Student
Hyderabad, India
vvittaldev3@gatech.edu

Luke Walker
2nd Year Masters Student
Lake Kiowa, TX
lukewalker@gatech.edu

Luke serves as the Project Manager for the Rapid Reconnaissance and Response (R³) Mission, Georgia Tech's entry in the University Nanosat Program. He is responsible for the coordination of engineering and programmatic efforts for the student-led satellite mission, as well as systems engineering analysis and decisions.

Jessica Wayer
1st Year Masters Student
Park Ridge, IL
jwayer3@gatech.edu

Allison Willingham
1st Year Masters Student
Keyser, WV
awillingham6@gatech.edu

Nicole Bauer
4th Year Undergraduate Student
Houston, TX
nbauer3@gatech.edu

Rachel Haga
5th Year Undergraduate Student
Carnesville, GA
rhaga3@gatech.edu

Rachel's current research involves a subsystem centric approach to the epidemiology of satellite anomalies and failures.

William Sun
4th Year Undergraduate Student
Sugar Land, TX
w.sun@gatech.edu

William is conducting research on modeling the fluid-structure interaction of inflatable aerodynamic decelerators.