Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit Missions For Imaging Applications,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit Missions For Imaging Applications, Isaac Rosenthal
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Orbit and mission design are crucial elements that must be considered to achieve Earth observation data for land monitoring. This project examines the sun-synchronous low Earth orbit (LEO) implementations of missions with similar objectives: NASA’s Landsat 8 and ESA’s Sentinel-2 constellation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how differing mission designs, impact imaging and coverage capabilities. Key design trade offs between the two missions include altitude effects on atmospheric drag and station-keeping, swath width versus field-of-view choices, and a single, centralized spacecraft architecture versus a multi-satellite distributed system. This is accomplished by analyzing different orbital parameters, ground track …
Project Nightshade: Carrier-Based Multirole Navy Strike Fighter Aircraft,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Project Nightshade: Carrier-Based Multirole Navy Strike Fighter Aircraft, Matthew Kaplan, Alex Gardner, Adam Wanner, Sara Gonzalez, Joseph Deleo, Canyon Swaffar
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Project Nightshade: Detail Design for a Carrier-Based Multirole Strike Fighter This project focuses on the structural detail design of the wing box for a carrier-based multirole strike fighter, emphasizing strength, stiffness, and fatigue resistance under maneuver and carrier landing loads. The objective is to develop a structurally efficient configuration capable of supporting critical loading conditions while maintaining realistic weight and structural integrity. Classical aerospace structural analysis methods were used to size primary load-carrying components including spar caps, shear webs, and skin panels. Maneuver and gust load cases were applied to determine internal shear forces and bending moments, enabling calculation of …
Zfq-50 "Radiance",
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Zfq-50 "Radiance", Craig Slovensky, Michael Rath Iii, Kyan Spaete, Long P. Nguyen, Woo Hyun Lee, Roman Czerniejewski
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This project presents the preliminary design of the ZFQ-50 "Radiance", a Collaborative Unmanned Vehicle (CUV) built around the VerdeGo VH-5 blended turbofan intended for military defense applications. This design presents a novel aircraft coupled with a powerplant that blends traditional combustion thrust with electrical power output, an new and evolving capability within the aerospace industry. This aircraft was sized considering multiple constraint parameters, configuration trade studies, CFD analysis, and mission requirements including carrier assisted take-off and landing, an effective operational range, and a loiter period with 40 kW of continuous power output from the powerplant. The selected configuration allows for …
Low-Complexity Polynomial Ring Learning For Quantum Space Assets,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Low-Complexity Polynomial Ring Learning For Quantum Space Assets, Lola Torres
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Secure communication for space-based systems requires cryptographic methods that remain both reliable and efficient under strict computational constraints. This work investigates a low-complexity polynomial ring learning algorithm designed for quantum space assets, including satellite–ground communication systems. The project focuses on post-quantum cryptographic principles, where encryption and decryption rely heavily on repeated polynomial operations; this can be computationally expensive with constrained platforms. This is addressed with reformulating polynomial multiplication as a structured linear transformation on coefficient vectors. By representing these operations as matrices with a cyclic structure, the structure allows the use of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT); this will simplify …
M.O.D.U.S. Modular Optical Design Using Specular Film,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
M.O.D.U.S. Modular Optical Design Using Specular Film, Mario Gutierrez, Robert Thibodeau, Emma Show, Desiree Robinson, Lingyuan Meng, Sean Martin, Conner Beeson
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
High-quality parabolic mirrors, which are vital components in reflecting telescopes, are typically bulky, costly, and highly fragile. This experiment explores the feasibility of using specular Class B Mylar as an unconventional, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative. This approach could enable new telescope designs by greatly reducing weight and manufacturing expenses, while also opening options for potential adaptability. This approach involves using Mylar, a flexible, reflective style of plastic. The mylar is formed into a concave mirror by stretching a sheet over a chamber and depressurizing one side to force the sheet into the necessary curved shape. Multiple designs are being created …
Preliminary Jetpack Design For Air, Space, And Sea Applications,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Preliminary Jetpack Design For Air, Space, And Sea Applications, Andrew Thummel
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This course work is intended as an exploratory engineering and design program dedicated to the building and testing of an underwater jetpack design, using dynamic similarity principles to extrapolate how tested results and performance in an underwater environment transition to airborne or zero gravity testing. By testing underwater, it is estimated that the design will attain a Reynolds number in the range of 8 to 10 million, creating novel qualitative research on how a blended wing body jetpack design built at human scale performs and handles in extremely turbulent and high Reynolds number flows.
Satellite Autonomous Launch Assembly (Satlass),
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Satellite Autonomous Launch Assembly (Satlass), Anthony Todisco, Jaden Caradine, Justin Della, Essence Howard, Andrew Hawks, Alexander Kushto, Colin Mccaughey, Javier Narvaez, Frányerson R. López Ochoa, Diana Tormo
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The Satellite Autonomous Launch Assembly (SATLASS) is a Cube Satellite deployer whose development falls under the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), an organization focusing on CubeSat technology development. Project SATLASS provides hands-on experience in spacecraft subsystem development, including propulsion design, instrumentation, applied structural analysis, and experimental testing. The current objectives of this research are to map pressure changes throughout a high-pressure feed system, evaluate the pressure and velocity response of nitrogen gas after solenoid valve actuation, and determine the most effective nozzle geometry through direct thrust measurements. A static propulsion test stand was designed and fabricated to house a high-pressure …
Orbital Servicing Calibration And Repair (O.S.C.A.R.),
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Orbital Servicing Calibration And Repair (O.S.C.A.R.), Samantha Rogers, Chloe Arnold, Ava Laudadio
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operate in an environment that exposes them to cumulative radiation effects, micrometeoroids, and orbital debris, and limited opportunities for post-launch intervention. These factors can degrade satellite performance over time, leading to anomalies that may cause data corruption, mission failure, or require human intervention for repair. While previous on-orbit servicing efforts have demonstrated repair and life-extension capabilities, most have focused on Geosynchronous satellites or controlled test environments, leaving a gap in servicing concepts tailored specifically to LEO satellites.The O.S.C.A.R. (Orbital Servicing, Calibration, and Repair) project investigates the design of a robotic servicing system for inspecting, calibrating, …
Evaluation Of Orbit And Mission Design Parameters Considered In Real Space Missions,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Evaluation Of Orbit And Mission Design Parameters Considered In Real Space Missions, Enrique Alejandro Amaya Villegas
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Orbit and mission design constitute a fundamental spacecraft subsystem, as the selected orbital regime and mission profile strongly influence power availability, communications geometry, propulsion requirements, and overall mission performance. This project investigates how key quantitative and qualitative parameters guide orbit and mission design decisions in real space missions, with particular emphasis on orbital altitude and inclination, ground coverage and revisit time, mission lifetime, launch vehicle performance constraints, and propulsion budgets. The primary objective is to develop a structured understanding of how high-level scientific or commercial objectives, together with cost, risk, and operational constraints, are translated into specific orbital architectures and …
Project Chimaera: Development Of A Tessellated Tetrahedral Truss Structure For Adaptive Multi-Regime Morphing Wing Technology,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Project Chimaera: Development Of A Tessellated Tetrahedral Truss Structure For Adaptive Multi-Regime Morphing Wing Technology, Evan Meyer, Eric Rodarte, Maximo Failla, Joshua Shuster, Jackson G. Schuler
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Project Chimaera: Physical Assembly of tessellated tetrahedral wing for Multi-Regime Flight. Modern Aircrafts lose aerodynamic efficiency because they are primarily made utilizing fixed wings which are designed for a single optimal flight condition. This forces an aircraft’s performance to become compromised across various speed maneuvers and flight regimes. Project Chimaera addresses this limitation through the development of a morphing wing capable of dynamically changing its geometry extensively during flight to allow an aircraft to travel between subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speeds. Whereas traditional wings rely on wing flaps and other flight controls; Project Chimaera addresses the limitation of flight controls …
Applications Of A Swarm-Behavior Model On Existing Satellite Constellations,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Applications Of A Swarm-Behavior Model On Existing Satellite Constellations, Naomi Lee
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The scope of this work explores biological swarm behavior and its application to low- and medium-sized Earth orbit satellite constellation systems. Existing constellation structures have predetermined orbits, meaning there is little adaptivity in the spacing and interactions between satellites. This allows for formation disruption by atmospheric perturbations in lower Earth orbit trajectories but can be countered with interactive controls that help with structure stability. This adaptive spacing and control can also be applied in MEO constellations in coverage and positioning optimization. In ‘mimicking’ this swarm behavior in starling murmurations, the separation, alignment, and cohesion flocking behavior of satellite groupings will …
Microgravity Operations: Passive Capture Tool Dock Development,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Microgravity Operations: Passive Capture Tool Dock Development, Tyler Mastroianni, Alexander Choinski, David Smith, Matthew Perkins, Kelsey Hunsicker, Jeanelle Ferdinand
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The 2026 NASA Micro-g NExT Challenge 2 requests a device that simplifies the stowage of tools during EVAs. EVAs are crucial during missions, but their effectiveness is hindered because of challenging tool management. Our device, Latch Point, is designed to streamline tool stowage, allowing astronauts to secure tools more efficiently and with less physical strain. This will reduce the duration of EVAs, improving mission productivity. This is important because EVAs are expensive due to the complexity of the suits and the training and preparation required of astronauts before they can undergo these types of missions. This new device would reduce …
Trim Characteristics And Its Importance,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Trim Characteristics And Its Importance, Daviel Peralta
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This project will go into the characteristics that lead to the concept of “Trim adjustment” in aircraft by modeling and demonstrating physical principles and mathematical concepts under ideal conditions. We will derive an equation from the basic physical principles of torque and lift to demonstrate how the trim is adjusted in steady, constant velocity flow for the sake of the pilot’s ease of control and to induce stability in flight. These adjustments are considered differently with different types of aircraft; as such, we will be focusing on mono-fixed-winged aircraft with one engine and conventional helicopter designs. Both flying devices will …
Apical-Out Lung Organoids: A Platform For Spaceflight And Cf Research,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Apical-Out Lung Organoids: A Platform For Spaceflight And Cf Research, Valeria Jimenez, Ally Schwennesen
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
A genetic condition known as cystic fibrosis (CF) is brought on by mutations in the CFTR gene, which results in chronic lung inflammation and impaired chloride ion transport. CF bronchial epithelial cells enable direct comparison of disease pathology, while normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells offer an essential model for researching airway physiology. Realistic modeling of respiratory tissue and its reaction to environmental stressors like microgravity is made possible by the creation of 3D lung organoids from these cells. In this project, we developed apical-out organoids, which expose the apical surface of epithelial cells to the external environment. These organoids …
Turbine Aerodynamics And Performance Characterization,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Turbine Aerodynamics And Performance Characterization, Anuranan Bharadwaj, Kalkamanali Satvaldy, Vincent Shi
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This research presents an integrated study combining computational modeling and experimental validation to enhance the design and performance characterization of small-scale turbine systems. The theoretical component focuses on developing an object-oriented Python code for the preliminary design and performance prediction of radial turbines, capable of generating velocity triangles, thermodynamic properties, and geometric parameters from user-defined inputs. The tool employs Whitfield-based correlations and fundamental gas-dynamic relations to estimate exit flow parameters, work ratio, and efficiency, offering flexibility for expansion into geometry export and CAD integration. Complementing the computational model, the experimental component aims to improve the aerodynamic testing capabilities of the …
Investigation Of Biofilm Formation And Osmotic Stress Tolerance Of Nonmotile Escherichia Coli In Simulated Microgravity,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Investigation Of Biofilm Formation And Osmotic Stress Tolerance Of Nonmotile Escherichia Coli In Simulated Microgravity, Tyler Jenkins
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Simulated microgravity presents multiple physiological stressors for astronauts, including bone demineralization, muscle loss, and weakening of the immune system. Bacteria serve as viable model organisms to study physiological changes because of their abundance in the human digestive system and skin. Motility in bacteria plays a significant role in cell survival, but few studies have been conducted on microgravity’s effect on motility phenotypes. While motile strains like Escherichia coli K12 have been studied extensively under microgravity conditions, the effects of simulated microgravity on non-motile strains are largely unknown. To better understand this relationship, the nonmotile E. coli MG1655 strain was inoculated …
String-Of-Pearls Measurements Of Supersonic Plasma Jets Using Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
String-Of-Pearls Measurements Of Supersonic Plasma Jets Using Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites, Amelia Koth
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
High-energy supersonic plasma jets form when the solar wind, which is a flow of charged particles from the Sun, slows down as it encounters Earth’s magnetic shield. Occasionally, the solar wind remains at supersonic speeds as it enters this region. This forms plasma jets that propagate toward Earth; these jets can carry strong magnetic fields, drive magnetic reconnection, and potentially initiate substorms that lead to auroral activity. Previously studied plasma jets occurred when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) points southward. In contrast, this study focuses on northward IMF conditions, which are less understood, yet still capable of producing supersonic jets. …
Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Pathogens Relevant To Long-Duration Space Missions,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Pathogens Relevant To Long-Duration Space Missions, Natalie Brattain, Yegor Bushnev, Mikayla M. Dutkiewicz
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern that necessitates the development of effective strategies for selecting appropriate antibiotics, especially in the context of future long-duration space missions, where infection control and treatment options are limited. This study employs the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion assay to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other clinically and spaceflight-relevant bacterial pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These pathogens will be tested with commonly used antibiotics and potential natural compounds. The pathogens will be cultured and isolated onto Mueller–Hinton agar plates. Antibiotic disks, along with various flavonoids disks, such as …
Helio: Heliophysics Enhanced Learning For Intelligent Orbits,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Helio: Heliophysics Enhanced Learning For Intelligent Orbits, Kylie Nager, James Kirk
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
HELIO: Heliophysics Enhanced Learning for Intelligent Orbits Satellite constellations operating in near-Earth space are increasingly vulnerable to space weather disturbances, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and high-speed solar wind streams, which degrade communications, destabilize attitude control, and accelerate orbital decay. These disturbances directly threaten mission continuity, constellation availability, and space asset survivability. Current protective approaches rely primarily on ground-based alerts and lack integration with broader space domain awareness, which results in programmed reactive protocols that are often initiated too late to prevent performance degradation and asset loss. The HELIO project addresses this gap by turning space-weather forecasts …
Interplanetary Trajectory Optimization With Reinforcement Learning,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Interplanetary Trajectory Optimization With Reinforcement Learning, Shiloh Cuffe
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This project investigates the application of reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize low-thrust interplanetary trajectory design, focusing on the Earth-Venus transfer leg of the BepiColombo mission. Traditional trajectory optimization methods, such as patched conics and genetic algorithms, often require simplifying assumptions or complex optimization schemes. This work formulates the trajectory design problem as an optimal control problem (OCP) within a Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework, enabling an RL agent to learn efficient transfer strategies under realistic spacecraft constraints. The objective is to develop an autonomous guidance approach capable of replicating or improving upon established mission designs. The spacecraft is modeled as …
