Propulsion performance had to be balanced with mass optimizations, a 450 W power limit, and the needs of other subsystems. My job was to deliver the strongest integrated system for the competition mission while leading a propulsion team and maintaining a constant line of communication with other subteams.

For each design cycle, I ran a trajectory driver simulation with an in-house tool I helped optimize called Whitmore, which calculates millions of propulsion performance scenarios based on motors, propellers, and batteries. I then took the top 3 outputs and ran static and dynamic thrust testing in Georgia Tech's wind tunnel to validate the results and inform my final selection. When allocated a new subsystem mass, I maintained backup propulsion configurations that could be swapped in to meet the revised requirements.

When I was given a $10,000 grant from NASA to design a lunar dust mitigation experiment as a part of their Zero-G program, I was given a 50 lb weight limit and goal to test 4 materials across 4 environments: Earth, Mars, Moon, and microgravity. The objective was to simulate a planetary dust storm and evaluate the adhesion-resistance of different spacesuit fabrics.

However, after completing the CAD and beginning the assembly, a new weight limit of 5 lb was imposed by the Zero-G aircraft safety team 3 weeks before the flight. I had to quickly redesign the apparatus to meet the new weight limit while still meeting the original research goals.

I was ultimately able to successfully flight test all 16 combinations of fabrics and gravity/dust environments, and the results were consistent with the Artemis mission's use of Kevlar.