Canceled
AE Brown Bag Seminar
Friday, September 27
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Guggenheim 442
Pizza Served
Conolly Burgess
Matthieu Mule
Martin Xiao
Conolly Burgess
Title:
Constructing an Annular Combustion Rig for High-Altitude Ignition
Abstract:
The creation of a large-scale combustion rig for high-altitude ignition is essential for enhancing our understanding of combustion behaviors in environments with reduced atmospheric pressure and temperature. This research focuses on the construction of an annular combustion rig capable of simulating high-altitude conditions by replicating low-pressure and low-temperature environments to test an experimental private-industry combustor. This presentation highlights the behind-the-scenes work involved in building and operating such a rig. Key objectives include ensuring ignition reliability, improving fuel-air mixing in thin atmospheres, and addressing challenges such as flame instability and quenching. Gaining insights into these behaviors will contribute to improving the reliability and safety of aircraft operating at non-standard altitudes.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Shawn Wehe
Matthieu Mule
Title:
Diving into Spacecraft Mission Operations and Ground Station Planning
Abstract:
CubeSats are, as the name indicates, small-sized satellites that are cheaper, more
efficient, and lighter than the full-sized satellites aerospace companies send into space. They
can be sent to low-Earth Orbit (LEO), or further on Sun-synchronous orbits. These satellites are
perfect for university projects like the ones I have worked on in Space Systems’ Design Lab
(SSDL): Lunar Flashlight and VISORS. The goal of this presentation is to explore and
understand how Mission Operations and Ground Station plans are developed for the launch
readiness of CubeSats like the two VISORS satellites. With the help of my team members and
ground station operators, I have written multiple critical operations procedures and learned
ground station knowledge that will help set the spacecrafts up for their mission in space. By
analyzing numerous documents, asking questions to my peers, and troubleshooting each
system, I have learned to ask the right questions to build detailed procedures for our team. I
have interfaced with the Ground Stations understanding how their system works and what they
need for launch readiness. The deliverables made are a basic pass procedure, a command
sequence verification and validation procedure, and a data processing script for the data flow
prototype. In a Mission Operations procedure, the goal is to foolproof it as if a middle-schooler
could follow the instructions and operate the spacecraft. The procedures that our team is writing
are incredibly detailed and cover every scenario that could happen to the spacecraft. This is one
of the reasons why I enjoy Mission Operations and why I believe it trains aerospace engineers
to be flawless Systems engineers. Mission Operations teaches you to think outside the box, and
think of every possible step in a process. Systems Engineering helps you combine the systems
to make a spacecraft that can functionally escape unfavorable situations with the help of
Mission Operators.
Faculty Advisor:
Prof. Edgar Glenn Lightsey
Martin Xiao
Title:
Investigation of Novel Manufacturing Methodologies for Subscale Proprotors.
Abstract:
Proprotors, capable of operating in both helicopter and airplane modes, are critical to the advancement of e-VTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. As e-VTOL development accelerates, proprotors must not only be efficient in both flight configurations but also minimize noise. Building subscale proprotor models for wind tunnel testing enables rapid design iteration at a fraction of the cost of full-scale testing. This investigation focuses on identifying advanced manufacturing methodologies that allow for faster, more efficient prototyping and testing of proprotor designs. This presentation will cover the methodologies explored, key insights gained, and the potential applications of each approach in proprotor development.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Lee Whitcher