Here are some of the things I’ve learned during my time at Cal Poly in required coursework, elective classes, and independent research work. Although we covered much more than these topics, I’m sharing my favorite examples of work that align with my passion and interest in astronautics. Enjoy!
Astrodynamics
I love orbital mechanics! Check out what I’ve done in my elective and advanced orbital mechanics classes at Cal Poly under the esteemed Dr. Kira Abercromby.
Courses taken: AERO 351 (Introduction to Orbital Mechanics); AERO 452 (Spaceflight Dynamics II), ARRO 557 (Advanced Orbital Mechanics)
Space Environments and Thermal Control
After my first Space Environments lecture, I was hooked. Now, my master’s thesis topic involves laboratory testing and exploration of the silicone-to-silicate conversion during atomic oxygen exposure in a ground-simulation laboratory testing environment. I also have experience and interest in thermal control systems.
Courses taken: AERO 355/356 (Space Environments I/II); Spacecraft Design I,II, III
Research Experience: Student Test Engineer, Space Environments Laboratory; Master’s thesis: Investigation into Silicone-Silicate Conversion Threshold During Atomic Oxygen Exposure in Low Earth Orbit
Hypersonic Reentry Systems
In addition to 3+ years of independent undergraduate research work on a proposed hypersonic reentry optical imaging system, I took a fascinating Reentry Aerodynamics course at Cal Poly with Dr. Nandeesh Hiremath.
Course taken: AERO 407 (Reentry Aerodynamics)
Published paper: Hiremath, N., Self, J., & Eller, N. (2024, March). System Architecture for De-orbiting Spacecrafts as a Platform for Experimental Aerodynamics Studies. In 2024 IEEE Aerospace Conference (pp. 1-15). IEEE.