Portfolio
NOTE: Site is experimental and minimally maintained. Many links may be broken and pictures not uploaded yet.
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To view my resumé, click on one of the following links below. Some of the projects I've worked on recently are highlighted below. If you'd like to see more detail, please check out the full portfolio button.
Bio
Summary
I consider myself a driven individual; I have been raised to work hard. My family has always had an entrenprenueral, industrious mentality. I grew up around my family's machine shop at my hometown in Kentucky. Looking back, I realize that their guidance along with being around the shop founded my skills and instilled the work ethic that I have today. Interest in space and engineering led me to post-secondary education at Morehead State University, where I received my undergraduate degree in Space Science (systems) in 2012. After completing the Bachelor's degree, I decided to pursue a Master's in Space Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Since my Sophomore year at Morehead State University, I have been working on spacecraft - launchers, sensors, mechanisms, power systems, entire small satellites, and more. I've designed, built, integrated, tested, delivered, and operated four flight unit satellites (one at Morehead State and three at the University of Michigan). Experience with Morehead State's Astronautics Systems Lab and UM's Michigan eXploration Laboratory has been invaluable.
Project Experience
TBEx
Mission Overview
The TBEx mission is MXL's 7th CubeSat project and it's first time delivering twin satellites. More information coming soon ...
TBEx is underway as of Fall 2015.
Shields-1
TBD... Design, Build, Test of Battery Pack and protection circuitry for NASA Langley Mission.
CADRE
Mission Overview
CADRE represents MXL's sixth and most technologically advanced CubeSat to date. CADRE was integrated into a Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer on September 16, 2015. CADRE is planned to be ejected into LEO from the ISS in early 2016. The following components/systems were implemented end-to-end at MXL:
- Command and Data Handling (Flight CPU)
- Watchdog Timer
- Payload Interface Module
- Power Management and Distribution (PMAD)
- Power Storage (Lithium Ion Battery Pack)
- Power Generation (Deployable and Body Mounted Solar Panels)
- Structure and Mechanisms
- S-Band Transmitter
- ADCS Motherboard and Processing Mezzanine board
- Medium-fidelity Attitude Sensing (sun and magnetic field sensors)
My role for the CADRE mission was Chief Engineer. I led the team between ~CDR phase through flight build, test, and delivery. Working on a small team of students through completion of the flight unit allowed me to step in and work on every one of the above components at varying levels. Aside from my system level responsibilities, I focused closely on the deployable solar array design for CADRE.
Video
Images
Integration board standalone
CADRE with Solar Panels Deployed
Magnetic Torque Coils prepared for Encapsulation
CADRE with all boards integrated into structure
Payload and core avionics in flatsat configuration
INSPIRE
TBD... helped review battery pack designs. Designed solar panels mechanically and electrically.
GRIFEX
Mission Overview
GRIFEX was MXL's fifth CubeSat. The primary mission for GRIFEX was to demonstrate an advanced NASA JPL imager that MXL referred to as Marina. The Flight unit was completed and delivered August 2015. GRIFEX was launched into LEO on January 31, 2015 and operations continue daily at the University of Michigan (updated 20151108). Every component in the satellite except the payload was implemented end-to-end by MXLers.
In addition to serving as the Chief Engineer, I chose to focus on two subsystems - the UHF antenna and the solar panels. I designed, built, and tested both components for the satellite.
The UHF antenna work consisted of:
- Simplifying monopole GND path to structure
- Increasing manufacturability of antenna
- Development of fabrication procedure for MXL's UHF antennas
- Exporting MCAD files for HFSS simulations w/structure
- Tuning UHF antenna to electrical length via S11 readout on Network analyzer
- Matching UHF antenna and coaxial connection withed simple LC lumped elements
- Anechoic chamber testing of UHF antenna w/radiation structural CubeSat model
- Development of standardized MATLAB scripts to help automate Anehoic chamber data results
Images
GRIFEX Flight Unit prior to final antenna stow.
GRIFEX Flight Unit with Thermocouple attached, pre-bakeout.
Image Coming Soon - UHF Antenna.
MCubed-2
TBD
CXBN
TBD
Interests
Travel - Hiking - Photography
My wife and I have been fortunate enough to travel to many far destinations. Taking photographs of our trips has become one of our favorite things to do. We also enjoy hiking and recently took a grand tour of the National Parks in Utah and Arizona. Our photography skills have improved from using our Fujifilm XT-1 on our trips and from taking photographs of satellites during flight build.
Architecture
My wife and I also enjoy architecture. Specifically, we love Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. We've toured Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Taliesin West. Some photos we captured while on tours are below.
