(Jan-May 2021)

Goals: Design unmanned air-to-air fighter aircraft to perform given combat mission requirement while being a cheaper alternative and supplement to Gen 5 fighters. Challenges: Simultaneously integrating and iterating across multiple design parameters while being limited to initial cost, performance, and sizing constraints. Results: Developed unmanned aircraft for which 3.3 units can be purchased per single F-22 and achieved 9.75 flight hours per F-22 hour.

(Aug-Dec 2020)

Systems Engineering, Research Based

Goals: Develop marketable program for the growing Urban Air Mobility industry from CONOPS to program timelinewhile adhering to Uber Air vehicle requirements. Challenges: Utilizing optimization methods to select ideal vehicle configuration, functions, and high-to-low level requirements across large range of design space. Results: Final vehicle mission and configuration allowed for transportation of over 150 passengers per vehicle-day. Program timeline demonstrated functionality in major US cities by 2024.

(May-Aug 2021)

Flight Condition Simulation, MATLAB Programming

Goals: Create interactive program where user can input details of hypersonic vehicle and quickly obtain downstream conditions, aerodynamic forces, and heating. Challenges: Hypersonic downstream shock conditions required iterative programming solution. Heating values heavily dependent on varying vehicle geometry. Results: Program rapidly provides downstream conditions and vehicle heat flux within 4 percent of exact equilibrium code solution.

(Jan-May 2020)

Physical Design and Assembly, SolidWorks

Goals: Design 3D CAD model and assembly for functional Mars terraforming vehicle, including structure, mobility system, engine, and components for assembly. Challenges: Ensuring individually produced parts are consistent with desired dimensions for final assembly, creative solutions required for 150+ interlocking parts. Results: Conceptualized, designed, assembled, and rendered final terraforiming vehicle prototype consisting of parts made by each team member.

(Sep-Dec 2019)

Physical Deisgn and Testing, Flight Simulation

Goals: Given desired apogee height for launch, select model rocket configuration and motor to perform given task, using simulation to verify performance. Challenges: Modification of initial rocket kit required use of 3D printing custom parts to store payload and motor, simulation of custom modifications and parts. Results: Rocket launch test achieved apogee of 98 feet, producing only a 2% error from performance requirement and simulation expectations.

(Sep-Dec 2020)

Orbital Mechanics Analysis, MATLAB Programming

Goals: Given position and velocity vectors of ISS taken from known radar location, obtain orbital elements and knew position and velocity vectors after certain time. Challenges: Utilization of multiple coordinate systems needed for effective computation, creation of user-friendly program for variable time and vector inputs. Results: MATLAB program that quickly computes all 6 primary orbital elements and initial + final vectors for object's position and velocity.

(May-Aug 2021)

Market Study, Sytems Engineering, Project Planning

Goals: Verify feasibility of large-scale wind farm in region of interest, design turbine and compare performance results with economic and environmental goals. Challenges: Turbine blade and tower design required multiple iteration before performance results could demonstrate the economic feasibility of the proposed farm. Results: Final farm could produce energy at a cost of roughly 8 cents per kilowatt-hour, able to outcompete natural gas and coal energy providers in the region.

(Aug-Oct 2021)

Systems Safety, Accident Causation, Research Based

Goals: Identify the FAA's role in the treatment of safety-critical systems in commercial aviation using case studies on 4 NTSB transport aircraft accident reports. Challenges: Uncovering underlying themes regarding regulatory and certification issues based on unrelated accidents that each presented a unique mode of failure. Results: Discovered multiple common process improvements for the regulatory and certification of transport aircraft.