Ruthvik Bommena

PhD Student

Research: Proximity operations for space telescope assembly at Sun-Earth L2
Education:
  • M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2023)
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UIC (2021)
Awards:
  • Dean's List, University of Illinois Chicago (2019-2021)
Experience:
  • 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 Design
Education:
  • B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Wichita State University (2020)
  • B.M. Instrumental Performance – Saxophone, Wichita State University (2020)
Awards:
  • 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)
Experience:
  • AFRL Summer Phillips Scholar, Space Vehicles Directorate (2019, 2020)

Brandon Crane

MS Student

Research: Cislunar trajectory optimization
Education:
  • B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2023)

Daniel Engel

PhD Candidate

Research: Trajectory optimization for atmospheric entry
Education:
  • M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2022)
  • B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2020)
Awards:
  • 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)
Experience:
  • 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 assembly
Education:
  • B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois (2022)

Himmat Panag

PhD Student

Research: Proximity operations for space asset refueling and servicing
Education:
  • 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)
Awards:
  • 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)
Experience:
  • 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 L2
Education:
  • M.S. Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft, Netherlands (2020)
  • B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Padova, Italy (2018)
Awards:
  • 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)
Experience:
  • 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 missions
Education:
  • M.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC (2021)
  • B.S. Mechanical, Engineering, Aerospace Science and Engineering, University of California, Davis (2015)
Experience:
  • 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)