"Basilisk": Astrodynamics Simulation Toolkit

During my time as a Visiting Scholar at the AVS Lab in the University of Colorado Boulder, I had the chance to contribute to the "Basilisk" astrodynamics toolbox. Among my contributions is a refactor of how C, C++, and Python modules are handled within the tool so that they are set up and run in a similar manner, which greatly increased usability of the tool when using mixed modules. I also implemented a numerical integrator refactor and a gravity modeling refactor, both of which reduced boiler plate code and made the systems more maintainable and easily expandable. I also implemented other minor features and helped debug memory-leaking code and SWIG errors, all in the span of 6 months and while working on my Master's thesis.

"Stardust": Integrated tool for Rocket Design

I developed a tool to assist in the development of rockets in the context of the student association STAR. What began as a solo project to streamline some of the analysis that my colleagues were performing has escalated into one of the flagship projects of STAR. Now, a team of more than ten developers is contributing to the code base, and the scope of the tool has similarly risen: it can perform aerodynamic estimation, mission simulation, simple structural analysis, design space exploration, and design variable optimization. Within this larger team, I took the role of Lead Developer, Software Architect, and Team Leader.

“Asteroid Deflection” Andrea Milani Challenge 🏆

The Andrea Millani Challenge is a worldwide competition organized by the European Innovative Training Network Stardust-Reloaded (Stardust-R) in partnership with ESA´s Advanced Concept Team. The "Asteroid Deflection" scenario was one of the two parameter determination challenges posed, which tested the participant's knowledge in mathematics, physics, astrodynamics, computer science, and aerospace engineering. Our team, "Deflect or Die", was selected as the winner of the challenge on the basis of quality of the technical approach and innovation.

Proposal of SmallSat Complete Mission

Design of a scientific mission according to NASA's SALMON-3 from Phase A to F. I was part of a team of seven engineers and scientists, where I took the role of Lead Systems Engineer and Navigation Engineer. As a systems engineer, I managed the mission requirements and the mass, power, data, and risk budgets. As a Navigation Engineer, I designed the SmallSat's orbit, determined the scientific coverage & the communication window, and designed all maneuvers for orbit insertion (including an aerobraking maneuver) and end-of-mission deorbit.