Seminar

Seminar - OSIRIS-REx: To Bennu and Back - Sept. 13

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:42:13 +0000

Seminar - OSIRIS-REx: To Bennu and Back - Sept. 13 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/03/2024 - 07:42

Friday, Sept. 13
10:40 a.m. - Seminar in AERO 120
11:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion / Q&A in AERO 111

This seminar will recount the two-year proximity operations and remote sensing campaign at Bennu, including the dramatic sample collection event and the events leading to the landing of the sample capsule in Utah.

A panel discussion will follow, featuring members of the Navigation and Flight Operations Team from NASA Goddard, Lockheed Martin, and KinetX, who will each recount specific challenges faced during the mission and the innovations that were implemented to overcome them.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Michael C Moreau (AeroEngr MS’97, PhD’01) has worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center since 2001, and for over 10 years has served in leadership roles on the OSIRIS-REx Mission, as the manager of the Navigation Team during development, launch, and Bennu encounter, then as deputy project manager and leader of the sample return capsule recovery team. Mike’s Ph.D. research at CU focused on applications of the Global Positioning System in high Earth orbits, and contributed to the adoption of GPS on NASA missions such as GOES and Magnetosphere Multiscale. Before attending CU, he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont.

Over three decades, Dr. Peter Antreasian (AeroEngr PhD’92) has made contributions to the navigation of NASA missions, Galileo, NEAR, Mars Odyssey, MER, Cassini-Huygens, GRAIL, and OSIRIS-REx. He began his career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1992, then joined KinetX 20 years later to lead the OSIRIS-REx navigation team. His expertise in orbit determination and navigation has been crucial in the success of these missions, including the first-ever landing of a spacecraft on an asteroid and the return of an asteroid sample to Earth. Peter earned his BS, MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering, respectively, from Purdue, University of Texas and University of Colorado.

Dr. Jason Leonard (AeroEngr MS’12, PhD’15) received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder under the advisement of Dr. George Born. Currently, he is the Orbit Determination Group Supervisor at KinetX Aerospace and Deputy Navigation Team Chief for the NASA OSIRIS-REx and OSIRIS-APEX missions. He has been the Orbit Determination Team Lead for OSIRIS-REx since prior to Launch, during the duration of proximity operations and its successful acquisition of asteroid regolith, and through its return of the sample to Earth. For his contributions to the mission, Jason received the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal and the PI Award of Distinction.

Dr. Daniel Wibben is the Maneuver Design Group Supervisor for the Space Navigation and Flight Dynamics practice at KinetX Aerospace, Inc. Since joining the company, he has held the role of Maneuver and Trajectory lead for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. He has also been involved with the planning and operations of the LUCY, LunaH-Map, and DAVINCI missions. He received his B.S. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona where his research was focused on nonlinear guidance techniques for asteroid proximity operations and planetary landing.

Coralie D. Adam (AeroEngr MS’17) is the Optical Navigation Group Supervisor at KinetX. She holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering and astronomy from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During her 12 years at KinetX, Coralie has had lead roles on the navigation teams for NASA’s New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, Lucy, and OSIRIS-APEX missions. In addition to leading the OSIRIS-REx optical navigation subsystem from development through sample collection, she co-convened the scientific investigation of Bennu’s active particle ejection phenomena. Coralie is currently the deputy Navigation Team Chief on NASA’s Lucy mission, and a navigation lead and science co-investigator on the OSIRIS-APEX extended mission to asteroid Apophis.

Ryan Olds (AeroEngr BS’04, MS’09) has 19 years of experience in Guidance Navigation and Controls at Lockheed Martin Space supporting NASA Deep Space Exploration Missions. Ryan started his career working on the Pointing Control System for the Spitzer Space Telescope. He developed the reaction wheel control system for the twin-spacecraft GRAIL mission and supported test, integration, launch, and operations at the Moon. Ryan began working on OSIRIS-Rex in 2013 by developing control systems as well as the Natural Feature Tracking system which provided autonomous navigation for OSIRIS-REx during the mission’s sample acquisition phase. Ryan is currently a Guidance, Navigation and Controls manager and continues to support Deep Space Exploration missions such as OSIRIS-REx and DAVINCI.

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Seminar: Introduction to PID Control - Apr. 23

Jeff Zehnder — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:08:08 +0000

Seminar: Introduction to PID Control - Apr. 23 Jeff Zehnder Thu, 04/17/2025 - 08:08

Vinodhini Comandur
PhD Candidate, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech
Wednesday, Apr. 23 | 9:15 a.m. | AERO 111

Abstract: Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers play a crucial role in the aerospace industry, ensuring the safety, precision and reliability of various systems. These controllers regulate various parameters to maintain stable flight conditions.

The lecture, as a part of the Control Systems Design and Analysis course, will introduce the controller types in PID control and their significance. The effect of proportional, derivative and integral gains will be demonstrated through a series of MATLAB examples.

Bio: Vinodhini Comandur is a Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her doctoral research focuses on pilot workload assessment in rotorcraft operations, particularly shipboard landing, under the supervision of Dr. Karen Feigh and Dr. Bruce Alstrom. She is also pursuing her MS in Computational Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech.

She received her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Kharagpur and her master's degree in aerospace engineering from IIT Kanpur. Her teaching interests are in the domain of flight dynamics and controls.

Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers play a crucial role in the aerospace industry, ensuring the safety, precision and reliability of...

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Seminar: Overcoming GPS Limitations On Earth and in Cis-Lunar Space - Apr. 25

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:08:08 +0000

Seminar: Overcoming GPS Limitations On Earth and in Cis-Lunar Space - Apr. 25 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 04/11/2025 - 08:08

Kirsten Strandjord
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota
Friday, Apr. 25 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: GPS is an incredibly reliable and widely used tool for navigation, providing precise location tracking in many environments. However, it does face significant challenges in certain settings that can affect its accuracy and reliability. This talk will explore the limitations of GPS in two very different environments—urban settings and cis-lunar space—where these challenges become particularly apparent. In urban areas, GPS signals can be degraded by multipath effects, where signals bounce off buildings and structures, leading to positioning errors. In cis-lunar space, GPS signals rely on weaker portions of the antenna pattern, such as side lobes, which reduces their effectiveness.

The discussion will cover the fundamental principles of GNSS navigation, addressing how GPS operates under ideal conditions and where it faces limitations. Additionally, alternative navigation methods, including signals of opportunity and direct positioning estimation, will be explored to address these challenges and improve navigation reliability in both urban and space-based environments.

Bio: Dr. Kirsten Strandjord is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota, where she is also a faculty member of the Minnesota Robotics Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder (2020), a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University (2015), and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science from Luther College (2011). Her research interests focus on a wide range of topics within Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), including GPS and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, cis-lunar navigation, and urban navigation.

GPS is an incredibly reliable and widely used tool for navigation, providing precise location tracking in many environments. However, it does...

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Special Seminar: BAE Space and Mission Systems President Dave Kaufman - Apr. 10

Jeff Zehnder — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:52:28 +0000

Special Seminar: BAE Space and Mission Systems President Dave Kaufman - Apr. 10 Jeff Zehnder Wed, 04/09/2025 - 12:52

Dr. Dave Kaufman is the president of BAE Systems, Inc. Space & Mission Systems sector, which is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, and employs approximately 5,200 people. Kaufman is responsible for the...

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Seminar: Applied Thermodynamics in Aircraft Engine Design: Principles to Practice - Apr. 14

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:50:19 +0000

Seminar: Applied Thermodynamics in Aircraft Engine Design: Principles to Practice - Apr. 14 Jeff Zehnder Tue, 04/08/2025 - 09:50

Sarasija Sudharsan
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Iowa State University
Monday, Apr. 14 | 9:35 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: The aviation industry is undergoing significant improvements in aircraft efficiency, driven by technological innovation and evolving performance demands. In this lecture, we will explore the differing performance requirements of military and commercial aircraft—including efficiencies, range, and maneuverability—and how these variations shape engine configuration and design philosophies. Central to our discussion is the Brayton cycle, which underpins modern jet engine operation. By examining the thermodynamic processes of key components—the compressor, combustor, and turbine—we will explore how these elements influence engine performance. We will also discuss how fundamental thermodynamic principles and design constraints inform decisions during the preliminary design phase of an aircraft engine, using specific next-generation aircraft as examples.

Bio: Sarasija Sudharsan is a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University, where she received her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in Spring 2024. Her doctoral research addressed unsteady aerodynamic stall, aimed at improving the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. In Fall 2024, she served as the instructor for an engineering thermodynamics course. She has also engaged with students on topics in aerospace propulsion and turbomachinery, earning the departmental Teaching Excellence Award. As a Regional Energy Innovator at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), she contributed to offshore wind energy research. Prior to joining Iowa State, Sarasija worked as an Aerodynamics Engineer at General Electric (GE) Aviation, where she gained experience in preliminary and detailed design processes for aircraft engines. She was a lead aerodynamic designer on the turbine rear frame of the GE9X commercial engine, where her design contributions led to a patent award for her team.

The aviation industry is undergoing significant improvements in aircraft efficiency, driven by technological innovation and...

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Seminar: An Introduction to Electrical Power Systems in Spacecraft - Apr. 15

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:48:40 +0000

Seminar: An Introduction to Electrical Power Systems in Spacecraft - Apr. 15 Jeff Zehnder Tue, 04/08/2025 - 09:48

Sage Sherman
Program Advisor, US Department of State
Tuesday, Apr. 15 | 10 a.m. | AERO 232

Abstract: This interactive lecture will provide students with an overview of the Electrical Power System (EPS) needed for spacecraft. This lecture will start by illustrating the key components and functions of an EPS, but it will then provide technological insight into EPS power source options, where we will discuss their implementation and ways to assess their capabilities. We will discuss design considerations and implications for using each power source in a spacecraft’s EPS. This lecture will also touch upon fault tolerance considerations and conclude with a deep dive into the EPS used aboard Apollo to illustrate system integration and operational considerations. The lecture will conclude with an elaboration of Dr. Sherman’s teaching vision and pedagogical methods.

Bio: Dr. Sage Sherman is currently serving as a Program Advisor for the US Department of State through the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program. In this role, Sage oversees the development and implementation of international security programs with our foreign partners. Prior to his current role, Sage was a Postdoctoral Associate within the Bioastronautics Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Sherman received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� in 2023, where he also obtained graduate certificates in Global Engineering and College Teaching. His work focuses on understanding and improving human performance within aerospace personnel, specifically focusing on performance elements related to operational cognition. Previous research investigations include stochastic resonance, neuromodulation, virtual reality training, human interaction with embedded autonomous systems, and cognitive security.

This interactive lecture will provide students with an overview of the Electrical Power System (EPS) needed for spacecraft. This lecture will start by...

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Seminar: Accelerating Signal Processing Applications with the Arm SIMD Architectures - Apr. 11

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:08:08 +0000

Seminar: Accelerating Signal Processing Applications with the Arm SIMD Architectures - Apr. 11 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 04/04/2025 - 08:08

Damian Miralles
Senior Software Engineer and Systems Architect, Samsung SoC Location Group
Friday, Apr. 11 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: The ARM architecture has evolved significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction and advancement of SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) technologies. These technologies enable the parallel processing of data, making ARM-based processors highly efficient in handling computationally intensive tasks such as multimedia processing, scientific simulations, and machine learning. This seminar explores the various SIMD technologies within the ARM ecosystem, including NEON, Helium, and SVE (Scalable Vector Extension), examining their capabilities, performance benefits, and real-world applications. Attendees will gain insight into how SIMD can accelerate processing in mobile and embedded environments and how developers can leverage these technologies to optimize their software for ARM-based systems. The session will also highlight best practices for programming SIMD instructions and provide a comprehensive understanding of the role SIMD plays in the evolution of ARM’s processing power.

Bio: Damian Miralles is a senior software engineer and systems architect for Samsung’s SoC Location Group with extensive experience in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) software development and SIMD technologies. Over the course of 10 years in the industry, Damian Miralles has worked on a wide range of projects involving high-performance computing, embedded systems, and mobile application development. With a deep understanding of ARM's NEON, Helium, and SVE SIMD technologies, Damian Miralles has helped optimize software to take full advantage of these powerful tools, enabling significant performance improvements across various platforms. He received a B.Sc. in Computer and Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. Passionate about advancing computing technologies, Damian Miralles regularly develops code for open source organizations, speaks at industry seminars/conferences in a mission to share knowledge on ARM processors, digital signal processing (DSP), and GNSS receiver technologies. Since 2020, he has been part of the development team for the GNSS-SDR project, helping with code development as well as mentoring students during the Google Summer of Code (GSoC) sessions.

The ARM architecture has evolved significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction and advancement of...

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Seminar: Impacts of Atmospheric Surface Layer Turbulence on the Wind turbine Drivetrain, and Generalization of Surface Layer Scaling - Apr. 9

Jeff Zehnder — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:16:58 +0000

Seminar: Impacts of Atmospheric Surface Layer Turbulence on the Wind turbine Drivetrain, and Generalization of Surface Layer Scaling - Apr. 9 Jeff Zehnder Wed, 04/02/2025 - 09:16

Jim Brasseur
Research Professor, Smead Aerospace
Wednesday, Apr. 9 | 9:35 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: I shall discuss two programs of research that have occupied much of my time and the time of two PhD students with whom I am working: Samantha Sheppard and Jarred Kenworthy. Jarred and Samantha’s programs both involve the special turbulence structure created by the impacts of impermeable surfaces on the structure of energy-dominant wall-bounded turbulence eddies. It is in this “surface layer” region that wind turbines operate in the atmospheric boundary layer. I will present key new knowledge extracted from high-fidelity large-eddy simulations by Jarred Kenworthy to understand the nonsteady responses of the wind turbine rotor to the passage of atmospheric surface layer turbulence eddies, with consequent impacts on the wind turbine drivetrain. Jarred’s research shows that strong turbulence-generated nonsteady forcing of the main bearing may underlie the currently excessive levels of main bearing failure.

A key characteristic of surface layer turbulence is the linear growth of integral scale eddy size with distance from the impermeable surface, a key element in what is commonly referred to as “law-of-the-wall” (LOTW) in turbulent boundary layer scaling. I shall describe key elements in a far-reaching fundamental study of surface layer scaling carried out by Samantha Sheppard within a unique experimental program at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Laboratoire de Mécanique des Fluides de Lille in France. We learn that linear scaling of energy-dominant eddy size is generalizable to wider classes of wall-bounded turbulent flows than previously appreciated, extending key LOTW scaling arguments beyond the classical flat-plate turbulent boundary layer for they were developed.

Bio: James Brasseur (Jim) is Research Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. Before, Dr. Brasseur spend 27 years as Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics at the Pennsylvania State University, where he retains Emeritus Professor status. Dr. Brasseur is a fluid dynamist with extensive expertise in two general areas of research: (1) turbulence physics and simulation, and modeling within the large-eddy simulation framework, with applications to atmospheric turbulence, wind turbine aerodynamics and turbulent combustion; (2) fluid and solid mechanics integrated within physiology and function of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, as well as related issues in drug delivery, including dissolution, transport and absorption in the GI tract and in vitro devices. Dr. Brasseur has served on governing boards of the American Physical Society (APS), the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, and two medical societies. was president of a medical society and was founding chair of the APS Topical Group on the Physics of Climate. Dr. Brasseur is a member of the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars and is Fellow of the American Physical Society through the Division of Fluid Dynamics.

A key characteristic of surface layer turbulence is the linear growth of integral scale eddy size with distance from the impermeable surface, a key element in what is commonly referred to as...

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Seminar - AI in Education: Advanced Applications and Emerging Trends with GenAI - Apr. 4

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:08:08 +0000

Seminar - AI in Education: Advanced Applications and Emerging Trends with GenAI - Apr. 4 Jeff Zehnder Fri, 03/28/2025 - 08:08

Bobby Hodgkinson
Associate Teaching Professor, Smead Aerospace
Friday, Apr. 4 | 12:45 - 2:15 P.M. | AERO N240

Abstract: As AI continues to evolve, so does its role in education. This talk will build on foundational AI literacy and dive deeper into how AI is reshaping education at a national and global level. We will explore cutting-edge implementations in K-12 and higher education, providing insights into how today’s students—our future aerospace engineers—are being exposed to AI tools before they arrive at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��.

The session will highlight AI-driven pedagogical advancements at peer institutions, examining initiatives that integrate AI into coursework, assessment, and educational research. We will discuss developments such as AI tutors, automated code reviews, and large-scale AI integration efforts across disciplines. Additionally, we will explore the ethical and pedagogical challenges of these tools, including concerns about bias, academic integrity, and the evolving role of educators in an AI-augmented classroom.

This talk will provide attendees with a forward-looking perspective on AI in education, equipping them with a deeper understanding of the trends shaping the field and the potential implications for engineering education. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of what to expect from incoming students, how to align with peer institutions, and how to prepare for the next wave of AI-driven educational transformation.

Biography: Bobby is an Associate Teaching Professor in Aerospace Engineering at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, exploring AI-driven education. He has developed AI-assisted grading tools, concept assessments, and code interviews to enhance student learning. He is actively involved in campus-wide AI initiatives and collaborates with colleagues across disciplines to explore AI’s role in education.

Beyond CU, he engages with the broader AI and education community to advance AI literacy. His talks explore practical applications of generative AI in education, from foundational tools to emerging trends shaping the future of learning.

As AI continues to evolve, so does its role in education. This talk will build on foundational AI literacy and dive deeper into...

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Seminar: The Future of GPS - Apr. 4

Jeff Zehnder — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:08:08 +0000

Seminar: The Future of GPS - Apr. 4 Jeff Zehnder Thu, 03/27/2025 - 08:08

Mark Crews
PNT Senior Fellow, Lockheed Martin
Friday, Apr. 4 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: The Global Positioning System (GPS) has greatly increased efficiency and effectiveness of multiple industries that leverage GPS signals for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT).

The next generation of GPS III and GPS IIIF satellites are poised to increase performance for GPS users worldwide. GPS consists of three segments: space, ground, and user. The Space Segment includes a constellation of 31 satellites with seven GPS III satellites in the constellation and three more available for launch. When the Follow-on GPS IIIF satellites begin launch in 2026, GPS IIIF satellites will broadcast 60X more anti-jam power for warfighters.

Lockheed Martin also supports US Space Force operations of the GPS Control Segment, which includes a master and alternate master control stations with 16 worldwide monitor stations that constantly GPS satellite signals. The GPS User Segment includes billions of civilian GPS receivers and low millions of military GPS user equipment. The GPS enterprise has worked together seamlessly for decades to deliver robust PNT services to civil and military users. One of the most important examples of user services is the augmented use of GPS for Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services utilized by civil aviation for precision approaches. SBAS provides integrity assurance for aviation operations without Instrument Landing System (ILS) infrastructure. This presentation provides an overview of GPS satellite modernization and how SBAS leverages GPS for Safety-of-Life operations.

Biography: Dr. Mark Crews is the LM Space Senior Fellow for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) at Lockheed Martin. Dr. Crews directs the development of the next generation GPS architecture including laser crosslinks and advanced navigation payloads. He works closely with Government customers to incorporate new PNT requirements into innovative, compliant, and affordable designs.

His previous roles have included GPS Chief Engineer at the GPS Directorate; Chief of the Starfire Optical Range Beam Control Division; Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the USAF Academy; Mission Systems Architect at Ball Aerospace; and Chief Technology Officer at ITT Space Systems Division. Dr. Crews is a retired Air Force Colonel. Dr. Crews has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oxford.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has greatly increased efficiency and effectiveness of multiple industries that leverage GPS signals for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). The next generation of..

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