Other Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

How Education Sats Started, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "How Education Sats Started" from June 12, 2025.

Space Program, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Space Program" from June 12, 2025.

Thermally Perfect Augmentation Of A Supersonic Inlet Design Tool That Uses Method Of Characteristics, Mario V. Guardado

Master's Theses

This work is the first in a series to augment a supersonic air inlet design tool based in Python 3 to incorporate new models that increase the range of applicability of the tool. This effort focuses on improving the thermodynamics model by incorporating a thermally perfect gas model. This tool utilizes method of characteristics to solve the governing equations for an inviscid, irrotational, isentropic, steady, supersonic flow field. Multiple test cases are used to assess the accuracy of all new models. A comparison is made between the original code’s test case for a supersonic inlet at low temperatures to verify …

Investigation Into Silicone-Silicate Conversion Due To Atomic Oxygen In The Low Earth Orbit Environment, Justin T. Self

Master's Theses

Silicones have been widely used over the years in spacecraft for a variety of functions, but atomic oxygen (AO) exposure in Low Earth Orbit causes a silicate (SiO₂) surface layer to rapidly develop on the silicone which results in a permanent change in its thermal and optical properties. Although this silicone to silicate conversion is known to occur, statistical predictions of layer formation as a function of time on orbit are not found in literature. This thesis utilized optical and scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and nonlinear regression statistical techniques after RF plasma asher …

Pressure Switch Tester, Michael Starasinich, Andrew Dobson, Jordan Huschen, Mitchell Smith, Melvin Brown Iii

Honors Capstones

Abstract—- The Pressure Switch Test Stand is a comprehensive and automated testing solution designed to streamline the actuation and validation of simultaneously. At the core of the system is a PLC-controlled architecture that enables precise control and simulation of pressure conditions, replicating real-world scenarios to ensure accurate and reliable switch performance.

This test stand integrates robust mechanical fixtures, a reliable pneumatic control system, custom-designed electrical circuits, and a modular software interface, working in unison to deliver consistent and high-fidelity testing outcomes. Each pressure switch undergoes a sequence of pressure ramps and holds, with the system continuously monitoring switch states, activation …

Ultrafast Laser Surface Structuring For Wettability Control On Copper, Akshay Arvind Nagvenkar

All Theses

Wettability is a crucial surface property influencing various phenomena, including heat transfer, cell adhesion, and corrosion. Engineering devices can achieve superior performance by precisely manipulating surface wettability. As a result, extensive research has focused on developing surfaces that exhibit either extreme water attraction (superhydrophilic) or strong water repellency (superhydrophobic). Tailoring surface wettability paves the way for numerous applications, such as drag reduction in marine vessels, controlled drug delivery, efficient water collection, advanced liquid transport systems, oil-water separation, anti-corrosion coatings, friction reduction, and self-cleaning materials. Ultrafast laser surface structuring is a promising approach for engineering multifunctional surfaces, effectively modifying material properties …

Effects Of The Gravity Gradient On The Path Of 1i/‘Oumuamua, Hannah R. Richardson

Poster Presentations

In October 2017, the asteroid 1I/’Oumuamua first passed into viewing range [1]. The asteroid is notable for being the first interstellar object to enter the solar system. 1I/’Oumuamua was also unusual in its geometry; it is thought to have an aspect ratio of 6:1 and a length of approximately 400 m [2] [3]. The asteroid was observed to experience a non-Keplerian acceleration estimated to be on the order of 1×10−6 m s-2 Several theories have been proposed for the cause of this acceleration, all of which are non-gravitational in nature: volatile outgassing, photon pressure, and solar winds [1][4]. However, none …

Characterizing Heating And Resistance Properties Of Nichrome Burn Wire To Be Used In Cubesat Actuation, Noah Moix

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the use of Nichrome 60 wire as a burn wire mechanism, commonly utilized in CubeSats and other aerospace engineering applications requiring precise, single-use release systems. The experiment focused on characterizing the thermal and resistive behavior of Nichrome 60 wire under Joule heating conditions. Four wire configurations were tested: 34-gauge and 36-gauge wires, each at lengths of 1 inch and 2 inches. Each configuration was subjected to a constant current until thermal failure occurred. During testing, real-time measurements of electrical resistance and wire temperature were recorded. This data was used to generate resistance vs. temperature profiles for each …

Reconfigurable Python Autopilot Software For Rc Aircraft, Kate Doiron

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Nonlinear Control System Design And Hardware Testing Of An Overactuated Multicopter, William A. Wearren

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

For the concept of Urban Air Mobility to be implemented into everyday life, the safety of passengers, bystanders, and surrounding infrastructure needs to be held paramount [1]. In previous work done at the University of South Alabama Facility for Aerospace Systems and Technology (FAST) lab, a reconfigurable control law was derived and tested on a scratch built multicopter [2]. The goal of the control law was to stabilize an X8 model multicopter in the event of motor outages [2]. The control law was tested on a simulated model and flight tested on a small-scale X8 multicopter to verify the effectiveness …

G.W.A.I.H.I.R. Guided Wing Aircraft For Intelligent Hybrid Insertion And Recovery, Abdirahman Ahmed Shirwa, Zach Richards, Derek Harwood, Alex Duncan

Senior Design Project For Engineers

The paper outlines the conceptual and preliminary design of a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) heavy lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for autonomous cargo transport missions. The primary design objective was to create an aircraft capable of carrying a 15 kg payload over a range of 33 km, achieving a top cruise speed of 45 km/h and maintaining an endurance capacity of at least 90 minutes.

A comprehensive literature review informed key design decision, including airfoil selection, structural material, propulsion system configuration, and control. Key requirements were established early in the design process, such as payload capacity, energy efficiency, …

Machine Learning Methods For Hypervelocity Fragment Flyout Characterization, Katharine Larsen

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Resulting from breakup events, such as collisions and explosions, hypervelocity fragments create potential hazards for both terrestrial and on-orbit environments, such as terrestrial weapons explosions and satellite breakup events, respectively. To avoid unnecessary damage, an accurate understanding or characterization of hypervelocity fragmentation events is vital. Currently, publicly available two-line elements collected from on-orbit breakup events are limited, excluding pre-detonation parent body conditions, such as orientation, and information of smaller fragments. The uncertainty of these datasets varies between each collected set. Therefore, the overall goal of this work is to employ machine learning to estimate distribution characteristics of a space debris …

Lethality And Survivability Of Autonomous Self-Sensing Uavs, Jeffrey T. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have seen increased usage over the past two decades during the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), operating in low-risk environments against dispersed enemies with minimal counter-drone capabilities. However, as the U.S. military shifts focus to Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), UAVs face significantly higher risks, including frequent and successful attacks, as well as the exploitation of their technology. Battle damage assessment (BDA) is not new; however, autonomous self-assessment by UAVs represents a novel advancement. Currently, UAV BDA relies on manual inspection, requiring approximately eight hours per drone. By adopting self-sensing technology, UAVs …

Deep Reinforcement Learning For Leo Satellite Grouping, James E. Minteer

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates jamming evasion using DRL to provide an autonomous solution that repositions a geostationary satellite experiencing directed, terrestrial based jamming. Second, this thesis applies DRL to an area of research for LEO satellite constellations, user grouping, using a portion of an Air Force Research Lab reinforcement learning framework. As LEO satellites orbit the earth, they must constantly re-evaluate not only which users they are able to connect to, but on which of its multiple beams. This model succeeds in finding a balance between maximizing signal strength and minimizing overhead from switching user assignments, all while requiring fewer costly …

Choosing Robust Leadership: Encompassing The Best-Of-N Model And Swarm Intelligence Optimization For Heterogeneous Multiple Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, Kudamuhandiramlage Harith Kolitha Warnakulasooriya

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Presentations

Presentation slides for a presentation given at the 1st annual Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum at the University of South Alabama.

Fusion-Based Utilization And Synthesis Of Efficient Detections, Ethan C. Rogers, Parker H. Liberatore, Thomas G. James

Endeavors: Mississippi State Undergraduate Research Journal

This study aimed to develop hardware and software for an object detection fusion system, using three different sensors. The system was built and studied with the motivating application of autonomous drones searching for and detecting people in a search-and-rescue scenario. The system’s performance was compared to that of individual sensors deployed for the same task. The focus of the research was to prove the competence and benefits of a decision-level fusion method as it was applied to a lightweight object detection architecture, and the driving motivators behind the study were simplicity in implementation and good computational performance. In short, the …

Computational Study Of Detonation Wave Propagation And Propellant Injection In Detonation Engines, Jayson C. Small

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This research investigates the physics of detonation waves and their application to detonation engines, with two primary objectives: (1) to characterize detonation wave propagation, specifically detonation speed and wavefront thickness, in stoichiometric propane-oxygen mixtures near quenching conditions, and (2) to examine the physiochemical processes during propellant injection under detonation engine conditions, focusing on flush-wall-mounted, fluidic-valve injectors.

A multi-fidelity computational approach was employed. Reduced-order modeling based on the Chapman–Jouguet and Zeldovich–von Neumann–Doring models were used to evaluate detonation parameters and select an appropriate chemical mechanism. High-fidelity, multi-dimensional simulations solved the unsteady, compressible, reacting flows with finite-rate chemistry, using Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations …

Damping Modulation Of Dampened Kapton Surfaces, Sebastian Esteban

Honors Undergraduate Theses

When droplets are vibrated or disturbed, they can exhibit a complex sloshing motion, an understudied behavior in drop physics. Droplet sloshing involves a complex combination of transverse and longitudinal motion that changes the droplet's effective weight on the surface the droplet is on. Our current understanding stems from preliminary work focusing on a cantilever beam of fixed thickness and variable viscosity of the liquid being sloshed. This investigation will focus on how variable cantilever thickness and constant viscosity for a liquid being sloshed affects the beam's deflection under consistent vibration. It will also investigate how the natural frequency of a …

Aircraft Turnaround Bottlenecks: Addressing Ground Handling Delays For Operational Excellence, Vigneswaran Cm, Syedeen Khan, Benedict M, Srinath R, Mukesh Pr, Jayaram R Pothnis, Inamul Hasan

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Ground handling delays at major airports pose significant challenges, impacting operational efficiency, airline schedules, and passenger satisfaction. This study explores the root causes of these delays, including resource constraints, operational inefficiencies, adverse weather, technical failures, and security issues. By examining case studies from major airports, the report identifies key solutions such as technology integration, infrastructure upgrades, staff training, standardized procedures, and enhanced communication systems. The findings underscore the importance of adopting proactive and collaborative approaches to optimize ground handling operations, ensuring smoother airport workflows and improved service delivery in the face of growing air traffic demands.

Flame Boundary Effects Of Hydrogen-Air Premixing, Alecson L. De Lima Junior

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The objective of this research was to investigate the reaction of hydrogen and heated air premixing when injected into a combusting ethylene-air crossflow, and to study the flame stabilization location with varying premixing levels. The main parameter of this investigation was the flame stabilization diagnosed through chemiluminescence, based on recorded equivalence ratio, temperature, and flame boundaries, and maintaining a constant air temperature, hydrogen and air mass flow, and momentum flux ratios. Testing was conducted at different ratios of hydrogen and air premixing achieved through alternating the distance between the point where hydrogen and air are mixed and the combusting crossflow. …