AE Brown Bag Seminar
Friday, April 11
11:00 a.m.
Guggenheim 442
Pizza Served
Olivia Caper
Joseph Clary
Grace Gelaude
Nehemiah Horak
Ruhani Prasad
Sujay Rao
Lander Schillinger Arana
Mayon Williams
Olivia Caper
Title:
Orbit Determination and Visibility Analysis of OrCa-2 CubeSats
Abstract:
The Orbital Calibration 2 (OrCa-2) mission consists of a dual-CubeSat system (OrCa-2a and OrCa-2b) intended to improve space domain awareness (SDA) in low Earth orbit (LEO). OrCa-2b launched mid-March of this year, while OrCa-2a will be launched in the coming months. This research focuses on refining prediction methods for both ground-based and on-orbit observability. A visibility determination algorithm was enhanced to improve accuracy in predicting observation windows from the Georgia Tech Space Object Research Telescope (GT-SORT), incorporating orbital propagation and illumination constraints. Current endeavors focus on characterizing inter-satellite visibility, determining when OrCa-2b is within the field of view of OrCa-2a’s onboard optical payload, enabling future experimentation in space-based relative navigation and cooperative pose estimation. This presentation will highlight previous, current, and future endeavors for the orbit prediction of OrCa-2a/2b.
Faculty Advisor:
Prof. Brian Gunter
Joseph Clary
Title:
A Generalized Architecture for Lost-in-Space Star Identification Using Invariant Theory
Abstract:
Lost-in-space star identification involves matching a pattern of detected stars in an image to a known pattern of stars in a star catalog. These patterns of stars are known as asterisms. Star identification algorithms leverage properties of asterisms known as invariants that remain constant across the transformation from image to catalog. Depending on the a priori knowledge or assumptions made about the camera, different invariants can be used. In this work, three common scenarios are considered: a calibrated camera, an uncalibrated camera with a narrow field-of-view, and a generic, uncalibrated camera. The geometric invariants that hold under these transformations are well described by projective geometry, and many common star identification algorithms rely on these invariants without making the explicit connection to invariant theory. This presentation will describe an architecture that generalizes the lost-in-space star identification problem using Invariant theory. Additionally, it will describe the implementation of the uncalibrated narrow field-of-view star identification algorithm in SONIC, the Software for Optical Navigation and Instrument Calibration, an open-source library built by the Space Exploration Analysis Laboratory (SEAL).
Faculty Advisor:
Professor John Christian
Grace Gelaude
Title:
SysML as a Means to Improve Safety Management in the Aerospace Industry
Abstract:
Recent incidents in the aerospace industry underscore the need for improved safety management processes. As systems grow increasingly complex, traditional approaches to safety analysis and risk mitigation become less effective. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), through the use of Systems Modeling Language (SysML), offers a solution to this problem. By integrating safety analyses directly into the system models, MBSE enables their automation. Risk and safety assessments can be updated in real-time throughout the life cycle of the system. This presentation shows how MBSE can be implemented with SysML to streamline the safety management process, leading to more informed decision-making. It will also highlight the benefits SysML has for collaboration and communication across the many different roles working on a given system.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Selcuk Cimtalay.
Nehemiah Horak
Title:
Design of a Model-Scale High Speed Jet Flow and Aeroacoustics Facility at GTRI
Abstract:
In pursuit of expanding the hypersonic research capabilities of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), a facility is being designed and built to investigate the behavior of high-speed jet flows. This will be achieved by pumping down a 29 cubic meter pressure vessel to 2000 Pa. A flow speed of Mach 4.6 can be achieved by utilizing the available 100 PSI air supply at GTRI. Furthermore, a flow speed greater than Mach 4 can be sustained for approximately 4 seconds. A jet exit diameter of 32 mm has been selected to enable far-field acoustic testing at a distance of 60 jet diameters. A microphone arc has been designed to match this test geometry. The tank will be lined with temperature-resistant foam and a half-moon baffle muffler and a plenum chamber will be constructed upstream of the nozzle. The facility is designed to support different test configurations by means of changing the nozzle, muffler and plenum chamber to meet different testing needs. To better inform the design process, construction has begun on the vacuum chamber portion of the facility. This includes the installation of the vacuum pump, the manufacturing of various covers for the pressure vessel, and the assembly of the vacuum and air exhaust plumbing. Additional design efforts include the integration of methods to heat the jet flow and methods to characterize the performance of the facility.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Krish Ahuja
Ruhani Prasad
Title:
Bayesian Modeling and Statistics as Applied to Combustion Research
Abstract:
This presentation introduces Bayesian modeling and statistics as applied to combustion research at the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory. We explore how Bayes’ theorem provides a powerful framework for parameter estimation, particularly in determining the lower heating value (LHV) of fuels under experimental uncertainty. Through comparisons with frequentist approaches, we highlight the benefits of Bayesian inference in model tuning, incorporating prior knowledge, and assimilating new data. The presentation also touches on practical computational techniques, current limitations, and emerging directions including surrogate modeling and real-time inference.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Tim Lieuwen
Sujay Rao
Title:
Aerodynamic and Environmental Optimization of a Commercial Supersonic Aircraft
Abstract:
Interest in commercial supersonic aircraft is rising, and the environmental impact of this emerging sector must be evaluated. Using aerodynamic analysis and optimization methods from the Advanced Configurations Division of the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory at Georgia Tech, several configurations of a 65-passenger commercial supersonic aircraft are analyzed. Aspect ratio, sweep angle, cruise altitude, and angle of attack are varied across 80 cases, which are evaluated using computational fluid dynamics to determine lift and drag coefficients. The Breguet range equation is applied to estimate the flight range of each configuration. A correlation is identified showing that emissions increase with altitude. Range and emissions values are plotted, and a Pareto front of optimal solutions is generated. To maximize range while minimizing emissions, it is favorable to cruise at altitudes between 52,500 and 55,500 feet. The ideal sweep angle is 50–58 degrees; aspect ratio is 2.1–2.3; angle of attack is 1–1.5 degrees; drag coefficient is 0.0030–0.0045; and lift coefficient is 0.025–0.040. Future work should focus on optimizing fuselage, tail, and nacelle geometry, and on developing a more refined cruise altitude–emissions correlation.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Jai Ahuja
Lander Schillinger Arana
Title:
Construction Methodology of Guide-Star Catalog for Autonomous Navigation.
Abstract:
As space technology advances, the need for autonomous navigation grows. Reliance on ground-based navigation becomes less feasible as missions extend beyond reliable communication ranges. The recently developed StarNAV framework estimates spacecraft velocity using the aberration of observable stars. While this enables autonomous navigation, it requires selecting optimal guide stars to minimize uncertainty. This presentation outlines a methodology for constructing a guide-star catalog using data from the USNO-GNC catalog, which is discretized, ranked, and spatially distributed based on astrometric qualities.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor John A. Christian
Mayon Williams
Title:
TBD
Abstract:
TBD
Faculty Advisor: