Ruthvik Bommena
PhD Student
Research: Proximity operations for space telescope assembly at Sun-Earth L2Education:
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2023)
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UIC (2021)
- Dean's List, University of Illinois Chicago (2019-2021)
- Mechanical Design and Analysis Intern (Propulsion Systems), Skyroot Aerospace (Summer 2021)
- Engineering Intern (Fabrication and Integration), Defence Research and Development Organisation (Summer 2019)
Bryan Cline
PhD Student
Research: Optimal Control Techniques for Multimode Propulsion Mission DesignEducation:
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University (2020)
- B.M. Instrumental Performance – Saxophone, Wichita State University (2020)
- NASA JPL Heliophysics Mission Design School Participant (2024)
- Kenneth Lee Herrick Memorial Award, Department of Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2024)
- Mavis Future Faculty Fellowship, Grainger College of Engineering, UIUC (2023-2024)
- Illinois Space Grant Consortium Fellowship (2023-2024)
- Space Phillips Outstanding Scholar Award (AFRL) (2020)
- The Faculty of the Department of Aerospace Engineering Bert L. Smith Outstanding Graduating Senior Student of 2019 (Wichita State University)
- Tau Beta Pi Member (2020)
- AFRL Summer Phillips Scholar, Space Vehicles Directorate (2019, 2020)
Brandon Crane
MS Student
Research: Cislunar trajectory optimizationEducation:
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2023)
Daniel Engel
PhD Candidate
Research: Trajectory optimization for atmospheric entryEducation:
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2022)
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2020)
- Winner of the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Student Paper Competition
- NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity (NSTGRO) (2021-Present)
- Graduate College Conference Participation Award (2020)
- UIUC Bronze Tablet (Highest Honors) (2020)
- Illinois Space Grant Scholarship (2019)
- Dean's List (2016-2019)
- Visiting Technologist (Flight Mechanics and Trajectory Design Branch), NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (Summer 2023)
- Visiting Technologist (Atmospheric Flight and Entry Systems Branch), NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (Summers 2020, 2021, 2022)
- Summer Intern, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, CA (Summers 2018, 2019)
Paul Jeon
MS Student
Research: Attitude optimization for in-space telescope assemblyEducation:
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois (2022)
Himmat Panag
PhD Student
Research: Proximity operations for space asset refueling and servicingEducation:
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2023)
- B.Eng. Aerospace Engineering, (Honours I), University of New South Wales, Australia (2017)
- B.Sc. Mathematics, University of New South Wales, Australia (2017)
- H.S. Stillwell Fellowship, Department of Aerospace Engineering, UIUC, (2024-2025)
- American Australian Association - Arthur Sinodinos Scholarship, (2023)
- Fulbright Scholar, Fulbright Australia (2021-2022)
- Student Exchange Scholarship, ETH, Zurich (2017)
- Dean's Award in Engineering, UNSW, Australis (2016)
- Senior GNC Engineer, Hypersonix Launch Systems (2023-present)
- Summer Internship, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA), Maritime and Multi-Agent Autonomy (347N), CA (2022)
- GNC Engineer, BAE System Australia (2016-2021)
Alex Pascarella
PhD Candidate
Research: Low-thrust trajectory optimization in cislunar space and for space telescope refueling and servicing missions at Sun-Earth L2Education:
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft, Netherlands (2020)
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Padova, Italy (2018)
- Student best paper award (2nd place), 44th AAS Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Colorado, (2022).
- Justus & Louise van Effen Research Grant (supported MS thesis research at NASA JPL), Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands (2019-2020)
- Merit Scholarship, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands (2018-2020)
- Mille e una lode Scholarship, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy (2016-2018)
- Summer Internship, Continuum Aerospace, CA (2023)
- Summer Internship, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA), Inner Planet Mission Analysis Group (392D), CA (2022)
- Summer Internship (Solar System Pony Express), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA), CA (2021)
- Student Internship, Orbital Eye B.V. Delft, the Netherlands (2019)
David Stanley
PhD Student
Research: High fidelity orbit propagation and supporting Earth science missionsEducation:
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2021)
- B.S. Mechanical, Engineering, Aerospace Science and Engineering, University of California, Davis (2015)
- Spring Internship, Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Remote (2024)
- Spring, Summer & Fall Internship, Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Remote (2023)
- Summer Internship, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA), Maritime and Multi-Agent Autonomy (347N), CA (2022)
- Engineering Assistant, Texas Department of Transportation (2018-2019)