My research is focused on the design, development, launch and operations of small satellite missions carrying new scientific payloads. I am serving the University of Hawaii as an Assistant Researcher; as the Deputy Director of the Hawai`i Space Flight Laboratory; as the Systems Engineer for Neutron-1 and the HyTI missions. I have 10+ years of experience in the various spacecraft subsystems such as the Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS), On Board Computer (OBC), Flight Software, Thermal Control, Power Distribution and Radio Communications.
One of my main functions is to teach about space systems design. I'm the principal instructor for the Vertical Integrated Project Aerospace Technologies and the Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology (EPET) program. This is the EPET 401 class (senior capstone project) teaching science and engineering students on how to build a satellite. Here's a picture taken of my VIP Aerospace class during a college of engineering event (taken during covid).
For my PhD research I developed a new Multi-Agent Robotic System to control and operate Multi-Satellite missions, including autonomous rendezvous and docking. This research will enable autonomous and intelligent space systems to collaboratively work together in new scientific endeavors that would not otherwise be possible such as Earth Observing Constellations, or Deep Space Observing Networks made of 100+ robotic assets working collaboratively. My ultimate goals is to lower the cost and schedule to launch, while increasing the technological capabilities to launch new scientific instrument that will explore the new frontiers of space, to learn more about the Earth, the Solar System and the Universe.
Keywords: Small Satellites, CubeSats, Multi-Agent Robotic Systems (MARS), Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Flight Software, Space mission planning, Space Sensor development.
I've been working as the Deputy-PI and Systems Engineer for HyTI, alongside Dr. Robert Wright (mission PI) since the Fall of 2018. HyTI is a 6U CubeSat demonstration mission that will enable the next generation of high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution thermal infrared (TIR) imagery acquisition from low Earth orbit. HyTI is scheduled for launch in 2024. Link to NASA's website for HyT.
Astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) took this beautiful picture of Neutron-1 being deployed from on Nov 5, 2020. I worked on this mission as the Systems Engineer and Assistant Project Manager.
Preparing the ADCS test facility before running ADCS test campaigns for HiakaSat in the HSFL cleanroom. This is one of the most advanced attitude determination and control determination testbeds in the world.