My Work

This page shows some of the work that I have done along the way while I pursue my passion that is space.

Mars Healthcare System (MaHCS)
Organization:
ASEN 5158: Space Habitat Design
University of Colorado Boulder

Dates of my work:
Sept. 2012-Present

Description:
This is a class project for the Space Habitat Design class at CU. Our project is to design a Crew Healthcare System (CHeCS) for a Mars mission.

Oculus-ASR Nano-Satellite
Organization: 
Aerospace Enterprise
Michigan Technological University

Dates of my work:
Sept. 2009-April 2012

Oculus-ASR mark I (right) and mark II (left).

Description:
The Oculus-ASR is a nano-satellite that will be a target for ground based telescopes. A method to view satellites with much smaller, less expensive telescopes while still getting the same information about it's attitude and shape that you would seeing the actual satellite with a larger telescope is currently being developed. Oculus-ASR will help with the calibration of that method.

Every material has very specific spectral characteristics (they reflect light differently). The engineers on the ground can use that knowledge to know how a satellite is moving or if it has changed its shape by only seeing it as a small dot of light. The Oculus-ASR has many different surfaces, different colors, and deployable panels which make it easier to detect changes in the spectral characteristics of the satellite.

Before it is launched, the Oculus-ASR will be characterized by having pictures taken of it at all angles and the spectral densities of each picture will be measured. That way, when the engineers look at it in space they can compare what they see with their pictures and make an educated guess of it's attitude (orientation) and shape in space. They will then give that guess to the team at Michigan Tech who will have the truth data from on board the satellite. The guess will be compared with the truth data and the engineers can make adjustments to their algorithms to make them more accurate.