Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Evaluating Uav Visual-Inertial Odometry Trajectory Error And Feature-Level Metrics Over Repetitive Floor Patterns, Anass El Mekkoussi

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) is a widely used state estimation technique for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) navigation in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are unavailable. VIO systems that rely on visual feature tracking are susceptible to performance degradation when operating over surfaces containing repetitive visual textures, where visually similar features can produce ambiguous correspondences that introduce errors into the trajectory estimate. Despite the prevalence of repetitive textures in indoor UAV operating environments such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and infrastructure corridors, the specific impact of different repetitive pattern geometries on per-surface VIO accuracy has received limited systematic study, and …

Artificial Intelligence In Human Spaceflight Safety-Critical Systems: A Requirements Framework For Ai-Enabled Computer-Based Control Systems, Liz Bosch

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Currently, there is no governing standard that addresses the safe integration of AI into computer-based control systems (CBCS) in human spaceflight. The computer-based control expectations of those safety-critical systems on the International Space Station (ISS) are captured in SSP 50038, Computer-Based Control System Safety Requirements, with one caveat: the standard was not designed with AI applications in mind. SSP 50038 does not cover the probabilistic behavior, opacity, and training-data dependency of modern AI/ML systems. The objectives of this work is to develop an AI taxonomy relevant to safety characteristics (determinism, transparency, data dependency, failure predictability), systematically map AI characteristics against …

Instrumentation And Control Of A Novel Device To Simulate A Hypersonic Environment, Andrew Marcello

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The hypersonic flow regime poses several challenges regarding the design of hypersonic vehicles. Among them is the massive energy and economic expense associated with ground- testing evaluation of material responses within this extreme environment. In order to provide a low-cost, rapid option for preliminary material analysis within hypersonic applications, a novel device is under production to replicate this environment on the surface of these materials. This device has been designed to work in conjunction with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Advanced Photo Source (APS) synchrotron, to allow for in-situ characterization of ablation and oxidation on the sample surface.

To achieve this, …

Effect Of Nozzle Pressure Ratio On Thrust And Flow Behavior In A Supersonic De Laval Nozzle, Esha Jain

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Supersonic nozzles operate across a range of flow regimes. While an ideally expanded condition yields optimal thrust, practical propulsion systems rarely operate at this design point due to variations in altitude and engine operating conditions. As a result, nozzles frequently operate in off-design conditions. In overexpanded regime, where the exit pressure is lower than the ambient pressure, shock-induced separation may occur within the divergent section of the nozzle, potentially degrading nozzle performance. Understanding the aerodynamic behavior of nozzles operating under off-design conditions is therefore important for improving propulsion system performance and stability. In particular, direct thrust measurements provide a key …

Intelligent Flight Control Systems Using Adaptive Deep Neural Networks And Concurrent Learning-Based Design Methods, Maddox C. Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This thesis investigates deep neural network (DNN)-based adaptive control strategies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating under aerodynamic uncertainty and complex actuator dynamics.

The first contribution presents a control strategy employing a concurrent learning (CL)-based DNN training algorithm, which combines online adaptive DNN weight adaptation with offline batch-like training updates using a recorded data stack. The analysis focuses on the closed-loop performance improvements resulting from the use of optimum CL data-selection algorithms, which ensure that the recorded data stack maintains sufficient data diversity to provide a statistically meaningful representation of the operating conditions using a reduced data set. Specifically, this …

Reinforcement Learning - Driven Satellite Attitude Recovery: Unknown Faults, Simulation-To-Processor In Loop, Chinmay Mirji, Saeed A Ahmadi

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Conventional attitude control algorithms often degrade when faced with actuator faults, sensor noise, or system uncertainties. This work presents a reinforcement-learning (RL) framework for satellite attitude recovery under unknown failures, focusing on real-time deployment through a processor-in-the-loop (PIL) setup. A continuous-control DDPG agent is trained in a high-fidelity Python/Basilisk simulation environment, where domain randomization captures variations in inertia, external torque, and actuator limitations to promote robust policy learning.

Conceptual Exploration Of Film Cooling Techniques In Hydrogen Gas Turbines, Wen Wu

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Film cooling is a key heat transfer technique that protects gas turbine blades from extreme temperatures, allowing higher turbine inlet temperatures and greater thermal efficiency. It works by ejecting a thin layer of cooler air from the compressor through small holes onto the hot surface, creating a protective film layer that lowers surface temperature and reduces thermal stress on blades. This process is vital in power generation and propulsion systems that operate near material limits. With growing emphasis on sustainability, film cooling has gained new importance in hydrogen-fueled gas turbines. Hydrogen combustion creates water vaper and low-density exhaust gases, which …

Evaluating Runtime Monitoring For Reinforcement Learning-Based Flight Control, Andrew Zubyk

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Ensuring safety in adaptive flight controls systems is an ongoing challenge in aviation, especially as advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) trend upwards. Reinforcement learning is becoming more common in aerospace applications due to the ability to improve these models through training.  While models such as reinforcement learning enable controllers to learn complex behaviors from interaction with the environment, their unpredictability in novel or disturbed conditions raises severe concerns in safety-critical domains. This research investigates the integration of runtime monitoring, a real-time assurance technique, with reinforcement learning-based flight controllers to ensure safety and reliability during flight. By supervising …

Initial Development Of Cooperative Aerial And Ground Vehicles Experimental Testbed, Javier S. Robinson, Morad Nazari

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Heterogeneous multi-agent systems represents a growing area of research in autonomous vehicles, which involves the real-time cooperation of vehicles operating under different roles or dynamical mod- els. While there is plenty of theoretical work, the existing experimental research focuses on cooperation between physically identical vehicles. This is likely because testing heterogeneous vehicles naturally in- volves more complicated dynamics and communication frameworks to ensure compatibility. The goal of the Cooperative Aerial and Ground Vehicles Experimental (CAGE) testbed is to develop an experimen- tal testbed that involves cooperation of two distinct vehicle models: multiple Crazyflie 2.1 quadcopter drones and at least one …

A Tangible Modeling Language For Systems Engineering, Maissane Aik

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

With the continuous growth of technology and system complexity, systems engineering plays a crucial role in ensuring performance, adaptability, and clarity across interconnected processes. Yet, as modeling tools become increasingly abstract and dependent on digital infrastructures, they have drifted away from the tangible, intuitive ways humans naturally think, communicate, and design. Current modeling approaches often require engineers to navigate numerous diagrams and layers of abstraction. To address the gap, this research will focus on creating a novel systems engineering language that reintroduces tangibility into system modeling. The proposed language will represent system elements as modular blocks that capture structure, behavior, …

Computational Study Of Slosh Dynamics And Active Slosh Damping In Spacecraft Propellant Tanks Equipped With A Magneto Active Propellant Management Device, Priyanshu Savaliya

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The management of liquid propellant in microgravity remains one of the longest-standing issues in spacecraft design. Traditional passive damping techniques using baffles or diaphragms tend to add structural mass and complexity. The current study proposes a novel active slosh damping device which dynamically adjusts the rheology of the damper fluid using electromagnets, simulated in ANSYS Fluent, to actively manage and dampen slosh in an oscillatory excited cylindrical propellant tank. The electromagnetic fields are modulated through a User-Defined Function (UDF) that responds to force feedback simulated in real time via virtual load cells. In Fluent, the interface dynamics of xenon, fuel, …

Optimizing High-Density Uas Integration In Tbo Airspace: A Federated Contingency Management Framework For Singapore, Jianxiang Wang

Student Works

In Singapore's high-density urban airspace, integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into NextGen Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) faces a significant scalability challenge due to reliance on centralized, legacy Command and Control (C2C) architectures. The problem lies in the latency and inefficiency inherent to centralized Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems when managing heterogeneous, low-altitude traffic. This is particularly true during non-nominal events, such as unpowered ballistic descents. Currently, these events necessitate disruptive airspace segregation, such as Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). This paper presents a conceptual and architectural framework for federated UAS Traffic Management (UTM), utilizing intent sharing and …

The Role Of Optical And Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites In Military Intelligence, Khalifa Alnaqbi

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that while optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites are the two most powerful remote sensing tools in military intelligence, neither is sufficient on its own. This research aims to articulate their distinct operational roles and argue that their synergistic integration, together with other intelligence assets such as unmanned aerial vehicles, signals intelligence, and human intelligence, is essential for achieving comprehensive situational awareness in modern warfare. To establish this, the paper will first analyze the role of optical satellites in target identification and Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites in persistent detection and monitoring, detailing …

Polar Reconnaissance & Imagining Survey (Polaris), Max Brooks, Zion Carpenter, Isabel La Coss

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

In preparation for the permanent human presence on the lunar south pole as part of the ARTEMIS Accords, planned human excursions will conduct science on regions of interest to locate resources for sustained habitation. The objective of the Polar Reconnaissance & Imaging Survey simulation is to take a predetermined region sized image of a planned astronaut excursion site to identify terrain features and threats. This shall be a satellite mission control (MCC) simulation with four Earth-based satellite console operators, and one moon-based EVA encompassing.

Simulation Results Of Spaceborne Ssa Using A Comprehensive Passive Radar Model, Chinmay Gaikwad, Filipe Senra, Thomas Alan Lovell, Hao Peng, Berker Pekoz, Tianyu Yang

Publications

In this paper, a high-fidelity simulation framework is developed to assess the feasibility of tracking space debris using a large low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation equipped with onboard passive radar sensors. By exploiting illumination from a distributed network of ground-based transmitters, the constellation provides consistent line-of-sight access to debris objects at higher altitudes, enabling angles-only detection and tracking. This approach yields a scalable, automated, and cost-effective architecture for next-generation space surveillance and contributes to more resilient space traffic management. A complete angles-only passive-radar orbit-determination pipeline is introduced and demonstrated. Initial orbital states are generated using a rate-aware constrained admissible-region multiple-hypothesis …

Parameter Informed Reinforcement Learning For Vehicle System Identification, Nathan Schaff

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Accurate system identification is essential for modeling and controlling vehicle dynamics. This dissertation explores the application of Parameter Informed Reinforcement Learning (PIRL) as a novel approach to system identification (SYSID). PIRL integrates prior system knowledge, such as physical parameters, into reinforcement learning (RL) frameworks to improve estimation accuracy. The study begins with an overview of traditional SYSID methods and then introduces PIRL as a modification of standard RL. The research applies PIRL to short-period aircraft dynamics, demonstrating its effectiveness in both offline and online learning frameworks. The dissertation then further explores PIRL’s utility in an indirect model reference adaptive control …

In-Situ Investigations Of Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminosilicates (Cmas) Infiltration Effects On Thermal Barrier Coatings Under Extreme Environments Replicating Jet Engines, Zachary Stein

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) particulates, such as sand or volcanic ash, are ingested by gas turbine jet engines during operation. When operating within high abundance regions, these particulates negatively interact and degrade the high temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBC) protecting underlying superalloy turbine blades vital to engine operation. These CMAS particulates melt within the engine and infiltrate into the ceramic coatings. In electron-beam physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) TBCs, the CMAS within the intercolumnar gaps stiffens the coatings and causes thermomechanical induced high stress concentrations, risking crack formation. While molten, the CMAS thermochemically alters and destabilizes the coating, also risking coating failure. Premature, …

Thermal Management With Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Under Extreme Applications, Devon Hardy

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A unique challenge in thermal system design is minimizing the power required to operate cooling systems while maintaining effective heat removal. Traditional cooling systems utilize single-phase fluids where the heat transfer mechanisms are well understood. To meet a variety of cooling demands, a range of technologies are available, including microchannel forced convection, jet impingement, porous media, nanofluids, pin fin arrays, and film cooling, each offering distinct advantages and limitations. While the performance of single- or two-phase cooling systems are generally predictable, in extreme thermal environments, new cooling solutions are needed to improve overall system efficiency and reliability.

Supercritical fluids, particularly …

Propeller Noise Prediction Of An Urban Air Mobility Vehicle In Urban Environment, Jie Hua

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles operate in complex, unsteady aerodynamic environments where wake interactions, gust and turbulence significantly affect both performance and noise generation. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing quieter and more efficient eVTOL systems that meet future community noise and certification requirements. This dissertation focuses on the high-fidelity numerical investigation of propeller noise in three representative unsteady loading scenarios: (i) transition (tilt) flight, (ii) edgewise inflow, and (iii) wake–propeller interaction. Each case emphasizes different physical mechanisms that dominate noise generation in UAM operations. Hybrid turbulence-resolving approaches—Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) and Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES)—are coupled with …

Numerical Study On Flow Separation And Performance Characteristics Of Slot Nozzle, Chase Charpentier

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The altitude compensating nozzle (ACN) is a type of rocket nozzle or engine that tries to minimize the negative effects of overexpansion at low altitudes. There are many forms of ACN's but most of them are heavier than traditional bell nozzles, alter the geometry of the nozzle, which requires extensive research into optimizing the new geometry, or require complex systems that can lead to structural, heating, or material problems. Out of the ACN's, the slot nozzle is a passive ACN that builds upon the bell nozzle and requires no additional weight or complex systems.

This slot nozzle is comprised of …

Sustainable Practices For Aircraft Decommissioning And Recycling In A Circular Aviation Economy, Eva Maleviti, Dimitra Papadaki

Publications

The aviation industry requires a series of actions that will transform its current status, aiming for sustainable operations. Aviation’s end-of-life stream is a pivotal lever for circularity, yet current dismantling and recycling practices leave significant value unrealized. Circular Economy could be considered as a transformational approach to the aviation industry and address its environmental and economic challenges, meeting sustainability principles. This study conducts a PRISMA-guided qualitative systematic review across academic and industry sources to synthesize regulations, technologies, and economics of aircraft decommissioning. It aims to quantify material recovery potential and environmental gains at the aircraft level and assess technology readiness …

Hybrid Stol Aircraft Designed For Short Urban Operations, Toby Emch

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Modern aircraft transportation requires security checkpoints, large terminals, and expansive runways to move people. However, what if we could place an airport anywhere, reducing land area, noise, and cost? Our design takes advantage of distributed electric propulsion powered by a hybrid engine to take off and land a STOL transport aircraft in a short distance. Our design process includes calculation of constraints, lift calculation using a blown lift takeoff, and verification of stability coefficients. Using a high-lift wing design, the aircraft supports a battery and fuel weight while keeping the required thrust low. It supports up to 7 passengers and …

Boeing 787 Freighter Conversion: Structural Redesign And Enhanced Cargo Operation, Darien Lopez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

With the continued expansion of global supply chains, demand for airfreight is rapidly increasing. As older cargo aircraft approach the end of their service life, the Boeing 787 freighter variant emerges as an ideal candidate to address this growing market demand. To facilitate its conversion from passenger to freighter configuration, modifications included the addition of a cargo door and adjustments to the cabin floor, allowing for efficient cargo loading operations. The structural components, including stringers and longerons, were specifically sized and strategically positioned in both the cargo door section and throughout the rest of the fuselage to accommodate the anticipated …

Aura Aero, A Perspective On Sustainability And Resilience, Mattia Padulo

Sustainability Conference

Since its foundation, AURA AERO has committed to tackle aviation related environmental impacts, through an incremental industrial approach that has allowed the company to become the first fully fledged aircraft manufacturer among the new players in the field of Advanced Air Mobility. AURA AERO product policy has been gradually shaped to scale-up towards bigger, smarter, greener products, and is now enriched by unmanned technologies, as an adaptation to newer societal demands induced by the current geopolitical context. The presentation will give an update on the latest company and product developments, and particularly those related to the INTEGRAL E - the …

Regional Amphibious Aircraft Preliminary Design, Giovanna Ucles

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project presents the preliminary design of a regional amphibious aircraft, aimed at servicing a variety of missions in areas with limited infrastructure. Currently, aircraft options for operations in challenging environments are limited, with most designs relying on float-like structures. This new design reintroduces the flying boat concept, offering reduced drag and improved operational efficiency. Two configurations are proposed: a 19-passenger version with a range of at least 350 nautical miles, and a 10-passenger version with a range of at least 980 nautical miles, both achieving a minimum cruise speed of 150 knots. Hand calculations were employed to assess key …

Insights On Ai-Supported Uncrewed And Autonomous Systems Education, Brent A. Terwilliger Ph. D, John Faraca

Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) related technology is reshaping the educational experience in programs focused on uncrewed and autonomous systems, aviation, robotics, and aerospace, with growing implications for workforce readiness and cross-sector innovation. Early survey data, capturing student, educator, and employer perspectives, reveals that AI-supported tools are notably changing student engagement, communication, and skills development. Initial indications underscores the importance of AI proficiency and technological familiarity in hiring and workforce development, particularly in technical and operational roles. Key areas of focus include the use of AI to strengthen outreach and interactivity; enrich instruction through intelligent simulations; inform curricular improvements using data analytics; …

Project Eggroll, Oriana Zhu

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Trainer aircraft present a unique fuel efficiency issue – the aircraft will almost never fly at its most efficient configuration simply due to the nature of pilot training. Taking this into account, Project Eggroll will be tackling this issue at the beginning of fuel consumption, rather than optimizing aerodynamics, and will be incorporating a hybrid propulsion system in a next-generation trainer aircraft to reduce fuel consumption, noise, and cost for consumer. After filtering through multiple potential configurations for the aircraft and powertrain, the ER-01 trainer aircraft’s final design has been refined to a high wing aircraft with an all-movable horizontal …

Internal Structural Design For Low-Cost Unmanned Fighter/Interceptor Aircraft, Andrew Zubyk

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Akriveia Aerospace is focused on the design of a high strength and efficient structure to accommodate the small size of Akriveia Aerospace’s Accipiter aircraft while ensuring the structure’s ability to sustain the required loadings. Emphasis is placed on wing spar, fuselage bulkhead, bulkhead-to-spar bracket, skin, and spar web sizing; as well as the fasteners used to join the structural components. The Accipiter was inspired based on historical and modern fighter/interceptor aircraft, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Preliminary sizing was conducted using conventional evaluation techniques; future aims involve validation using Finite Element Analysis. Due to …

Hybrid-Electric Regional Passenger Aircraft: Emphasizing Environmentally Impactful Technology, Annabelle Stube

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The aviation industry has significant negative impacts on the environment through greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. As small passenger aircraft tend to have more emissions per passenger mile than larger aircraft, this project aims to design a new hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft to be an innovative environmentally conscious option for short-range, limited-passenger flights. The design process focuses on constraint analyses, high stability, emission and noise reduction, uniqueness and marketability, and utilizing upcoming propulsion systems. Several new propulsion system options were assessed to prioritize viability and power and minimize environmental impacts. The hybrid-electric propulsion system and 12-passenger capacity were decided to …

Wing Structure Design The Ramp-200, Nicholas Hillburn

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project focuses on the design of the wing structure to increase fatigue resistance and lessen the shear force across the skin of the wings, while maintaining the structure’s stability and soundness. The designed wing structure will be optimized to account for the proposed weight and endurance of the aircraft. The overall wing shape and size was defined using preliminary design methods and optimized for efficiency at Mach 0.9. The main structures were sized using calculations that were programmed into MATLAB and supported by hand calculations. Finite element analysis was used to verify sizing, and the structures were assessed using …