Felix Ebert, M.Sc., is a Researcher at the Chair of Space Mobility and Propulsion at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he has worked since March 2022. His research focuses on intelligent control systems for rocket engines, particularly fault detection and recovery mechanisms to enhance spacecraft reliability. He is actively involved in the development of the ASCENT Hopper , a test platform for autonomous control algorithms. Research Highlights : Advancing adaptive control strategies for fault-tolerant rocket propulsion systems Investigating water electrolysis propulsion for CubeSats Contributing to SPARK's mission for innovative, sustainable space propulsion solutions Recent Publications demonstrate his work on autonomous recovery systems for low-atmosphere hoppers and green propulsion in small satellites. His projects align with Europe's need for reusable, cost-effective propulsion technologies in the face of growing private-sector space exploration.
Mario Harper is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Utah State University. His research emphasizes Machine Learning, Data Science, Robotics, and their intersections with Finance and Artificial Intelligence. He specializes in autonomous systems, energy-efficient robotics, and AI-driven solutions for transportation and urban sustainability. His work includes developing tools like simulators for electric vehicle systems and stealth-centric navigation algorithms inspired by biological systems. Key research areas include multi-robot coordination, reinforcement learning applications in robotics, and algorithmic approaches to environmental and economic challenges. He has contributed to projects like POSEIDON-SAT for satellite-based fishing vessel detection and electrified transportation equity analysis in urban settings. His publications span topics from trajectory planning in legged robots to AI modeling for economic systems. Beyond research, he designs interactive visualization tools to support policy decisions on sustainable transportation infrastructure. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided information. Mario Harper’s advising and grants focus on robotics, energy systems, and AI applications, though specific student advisees or grant details are not detailed here. He collaborates on projects involving lab tools such as the Unknown Building Exploration Simulator (UBES) and Stealth Centric Autonomous Robot Simulator (SCARS), advancing robotic autonomy in unstructured environments.
Dr. Scott J. Eaton is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern Maine (USM), affiliated with the Department of Engineering within the College of Science, Technology, & Health. His research focuses on improving energy and transportation systems through alternative fuels processing, clean combustion technologies, and catalytic exhaust treatment. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Maine, 2015), an MS in Mechanical Engineering (University of Tennessee, 2006), and a BS in Mechanical Engineering (University of Maine, 2004). Dr. Eaton’s work spans academic, industrial, and governmental sectors. He serves as Associate Faculty at the University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute and as Chief Technology Officer for two Maine-based alternative fuels startups. His research interests include multiphasic fuel injection dynamics, low-temperature catalytic emissions reduction, and alternative fuels development. His recent publications address biofuel processing, combustion dynamics in engines, and STEM education initiatives like CubeSat competitions. He has authored 19 peer-reviewed articles and holds six patents in alternative fuels technologies. Dr. Eaton has secured funding from NSF, DOE, and state agencies, and serves on the ASTM D37 standards committee.
Johannes Schöning is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. He leads a research group focused on developing novel user interfaces to empower individuals and communities in data-driven decision-making. His work spans interdisciplinary domains including geographic information science, public health, medical contexts, and space exploration. His research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Ubiquitous Computing, Accessibility, AI in HCI, and Sustainable HCI. He employs user-centered design and mixed methods, combining AI, computer graphics, and cognitive psychology to create disruptive, theory-grounded research. His lab publishes in top venues such as ACM CHI, MobileHCI, DIS, and journals like Nature and PLOS ONE . His recent publications reveal a strong focus on VR/AR for emotional regulation, accessibility, navigation systems, privacy, and citizen participation. Trends include the use of generative AI, eco-feedback, assistive wearables, and ethical implications of large-scale navigation technologies. Best Paper Award & Accessibility Award, Interact 2019 Best Paper Award, MobileHCI 2015 (StripeMaps) Best Presentation Award, IEEE VR 2023 Honorable Mention Awards at MobileHCI, CHI, MUM, and others Vodafone Research Advancement Award, 2012 McKinsey Business Technology Award Nominee, 2011 10 Year Impact Award 2021, MobileHCI 2011 paper He actively advises students and recruits for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral positions at the intersection of HCI, geoinformatics, and ubiquitous computing. He emphasizes creating a detox-free academic environment to focus on teaching and research excellence. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving space missions, public health, and urban technology, often involving international teams and real-world deployments. He has contributed to discussions on research culture, academic ethics, and the future of HCI conferences.
Dr. Saulius Rudys is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Applied Electrodynamics and Telecommunications (IAET) within Vilnius University, focusing on electromagnetic engineering and aerospace technology. His work bridges material science with UAV detection systems and radar innovation. Research Interests : Antenna design, dielectric spectroscopy, UAV radar systems, microwave material analysis Projects : Led multiple high-budget UAV detection projects including EU-funded initiatives His recent publications analyze electromagnetic properties of advanced materials and develop counter-UAV systems using marine radar and GNSS antenna arrays. Key themes include: Microwave characterization of ferroelectrics and ferrites UAV detection via FMCW radar Physical layer security for aviation systems Scientific awards highlight his impact in aerospace security: DLR Galileo Masters winner (2013, 2015, 2016) EU SatCom Challenge Prize (2021) Vilnius University Best Applied Work Award (2020) He has contributed to computational electromagnetic analysis and developed methods for dielectric measurements in coaxial lines and waveguides.
Dr. Edmund Spencer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of South Alabama , with research focused on space plasma physics and space weather . He designs advanced instruments for space science, develops theoretical frameworks for plasma characterization, and applies stochastic optimization algorithms to complex systems. Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin B.S. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Leicester, UK His work bridges space instrumentation with nonlinear magnetospheric dynamics , particularly in geomagnetic substorms and solar wind-earth magnetosphere interactions . Current projects include onboard space weather modules for satellites and advanced antenna systems for CubeSats . Recent research trends from his 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) include: Development of time-domain impedance probes for ionospheric electron density measurements Applications of machine learning in substorm prediction Hybrid physics-black-box modeling for Dst index forecasting Advanced antenna designs for small satellites 3D Particle-in-Cell simulations for RF instruments Collisional effects in plasma probe measurements Scientific contributions include: NSF CAREER Award (2013) for RF impedance probe development Key role in NASA's USIP CubeSat missions (e.g., JAGSAT I) Leveraging WINDMI model for substorm dynamics analysis He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in electromagnetics and stochastic processes , contributing to the department's space science integration in engineering education.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sergio Montenegro is a Professor of Aerospace Information Technology at Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, where he leads the Chair of Computer Science VIII. His academic journey includes a Bachelor's in Computer Science from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (1978-1982), a Diploma from Technische Universität Berlin (1983-1985), and a Dr.-Ing. from TU Berlin (1989). Prior to joining academia, he held positions as a software developer (1979-1982), research coordinator at Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (1985-2007), and Head of Department at DLR (2007-2010). His research focuses on dependable distributed systems for aerospace applications, including satellite networks, real-time operating systems (RODOS), UAV swarm control, fault-tolerant architectures, and space mission software. Key projects span satellite formation flight (TET, AsteroidFinder), solar sail missions, distributed avionics (VIDANA), and medical IoT systems. Recent publications (2018) demonstrate strong emphasis on distributed spacecraft systems, UAV navigation, fault tolerance, and software engineering for space applications. Trends include miniaturized satellite technologies, decentralized control algorithms, real-time OS verification, and Java-based space systems. He leads research in distributed computing networks and UAV laboratories, supervising projects like VaMEx-LaOLA (Mars exploration) and ultra-wideband positioning systems. Though no awards are documented, he has coordinated over 100 projects including ESA and DLR missions.
Kyun Ho Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Sejong University, specializing in space propulsion systems, satellite thermal engineering, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). His career spans academic research and practical development in aerospace technologies. Ph.D., KAIST (2009) M.S., Yonsei University (2000) B.S., Yonsei University (1998) His research focuses on cutting-edge aerospace technologies, including Space Propulsion , Thermal Engineering , and Inverse Heat Analysis . Recent work explores CFD modeling of propulsion plumes, rarefied gas dynamics , and optimization of FEEP thrusters for small satellites. Applications extend to green propulsion systems, waste-to-fuel technologies, and advanced emitter designs. The latest publications highlight trends in ionic monopropellants , gallium-based FEEP systems , and thermal cracking of plastic waste for sustainable aviation fuels. Collaborations span computational modeling, propulsion system development, and environmental stress testing for spacecraft.
Dr. David McKeown is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD). His research focuses on dynamics and control of space structures, nanosatellite hardware design, and attitude determination and control systems (ADCS). He leads the EIRSAT-1 project, Ireland's first satellite, launched in 2023, and manages the National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative (NSSPI), securing €7.9 million in funding. As an investigator for the European Space Agency’s DEAR project, he develops robotic systems to mitigate lunar dust effects. He collaborates with UCD’s School of Physics on ADCS projects and founded Dublin Maker and Science Hack Day Dublin. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (BE), University College Dublin Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University College Dublin Research Themes: Spacecraft dynamics control, nanosatellite ADCS, space mission design, and space hardware testing. His work bridges academia and industry, with a focus on advancing Ireland’s space capabilities through projects like EIRSAT-1 and NSSPI. Grants & Funding: Principal Investigator for the €7.9M NSSPI project under DTIF and SFI grants supporting ADCS testbed development and lunar dust mitigation research. Advising & Leadership: Leads the Space Structure Dynamics and Control Theme at UCD’s Centre for Space Research (C-Space). Chair of SMME PhD transfer panels and member of various university committees. Public engagement includes roles in RTE’s Big Life Fix and Kildare Libraries’ Space Week. Labs & Teams: UCD Centre for Space Research, DEAR project collaborations, and partnerships with industry through NSSPI.
Professor Iver Cairns is a renowned academic in Space Physics at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science, affiliated with the Sydney Nano Institute. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney (1987) and has held prestigious positions including a Senior Research Fellowship and Australian Professorial Fellowship. His research focuses on solar radio emissions, plasma physics, and space weather, with notable contributions to understanding solar wind dynamics and ionospheric interactions. He leads projects like the CUAVA training center and developed the RedEye-1 SWIR imager for atmospheric monitoring. Awards include the 2023 Australian Space Awards Scientist of the Year. Key research areas include radio emission mechanisms in space plasmas, spacecraft charging effects, and nanosatellite technology. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations in astrophysics, engineering, and environmental science. Major grants include projects on GPS-R technology and space photovoltaics. Current initiatives include the Waratah Seed-1 satellite and the TOLIMAN space telescope. He has pioneered open-source hyperspectral imaging tools and contributed to missions like the Parker Solar Probe and STEREO. Education: PhD in Physics, University of Sydney (1987) Grants: 2023 JORN Enhancement Project; 2022 Space Photovoltaics Roadmap Key Projects: CUAVA CubeSats, TRICE-2 Sounding Rockets, PUNCH Solar Mission Awards: Australian Space Awards Scientist of the Year (2023) Advises on satellite engineering, plasma diagnostics, and space policy. Active in Sydney Nano's multidisciplinary research, addressing challenges in nanoscience and space technology.
Professor Bradley Evans is a distinguished Earth observation and remote sensing specialist at the University of New England, where he holds a position in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law within the School of Environmental and Rural Science. His expertise spans environmental science, biodiversity conservation, and the application of hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy to solve real-world environmental challenges. Previously, he has held significant positions including Director of Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and Director of Sydney Informatics Hub at The University of Sydney. PhD in Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 2013 Bachelor of Science with Honours in Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 2009 Bachelor of Science in Energy Studies, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 2009 Advanced Diploma in Marketing Management, TAFE NSW, Bradfield College, 1999 CASA RPAS sub 25kg (Multirotor Drone) certification Professor Evans's research focuses on applying advanced remote sensing techniques to environmental monitoring and conservation. His work integrates hyperspectral imaging with ecological modeling to address critical issues such as koala habitat mapping, forest health assessment, and water quality monitoring. He has pioneered approaches using plant fluorescence to model growth patterns and has contributed significantly to NASA's OCO2 mission. His recent work emphasizes the development of open-source tools for hyperspectral imaging, making advanced remote sensing more accessible to researchers worldwide. Analysis of Professor Evans's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical applications of hyperspectral imaging across diverse environmental contexts. His work spans from precision agriculture applications for cotton farming to koala habitat conservation, demonstrating the versatility of remote sensing technologies. The research shows increasing integration of machine learning techniques with hyperspectral data, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of environmental monitoring systems. There's also a notable emphasis on open-source solutions, reflecting his commitment to democratizing access to advanced remote sensing technologies. 2016 – Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network NSW – NSW Chief Scientist Award Multiple travel scholarships from NCCARF, EUFAR, and Australian Research Council 2010 Centre of Excellence for Climate Change PhD top-up Scholarship 2008 Master class Scholarship from Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists Professor Evans has successfully supervised numerous PhD and Master's students across multiple institutions, demonstrating strong mentorship capabilities. His research is supported by substantial grants including the $198K NSW Department of Environment Koala's in the Landscape project (2023), the University of Sydney's Koala's in the Air project ($70K), and significant funding for the OpenHSI initiative. He has been a Chief Investigator for the Australian Research Council Training Centre on CubeSats, UAVs and Their Applications, securing funding for innovative remote sensing projects. His work with NASA JPL's Surface Biology and Geology Study and collaborations with international space agencies demonstrates the global impact of his research. At the University of New England since 2023, Professor Evans has established the Earth Observation Laboratory with a special focus on water and wildlife habitat (particularly koalas) and riverine water quality. He serves as Vice President of Earth Observation Australia and participates in the AquaWatch Steering Committee for the Commonwealth Department of Defence. His laboratory actively collaborates with industry partners like HyVista Corporation and academic institutions including The University of Sydney. The lab emphasizes open-source approaches to remote sensing technology, exemplified by the OpenHSI project, which has created accessible hyperspectral imaging solutions for researchers worldwide.
Dr. Alexander Wittig is an Associate Professor in astronautics at the University of Southampton. He specializes in interdisciplinary research applying dynamical systems theory and advanced numerical methods like differential algebra and high-performance computing to astrodynamics, astronomy, and aerospace engineering. As Foreign Exchange Coordinator for Aeronautics and Astronautics, he oversees academic collaborations with European and U.S. universities. His work spans mission design, space debris management, and black hole simulations. Education: Dual PhD in Mathematics and Physics, Michigan State University (2011) MSc in Physics, Michigan State University (2007) Research Focus: Orbital mechanics and trajectory optimization Numerical methods for space mission analysis High-performance computing (HPC) applications Gravitational physics and black hole dynamics Development of CubeSat propulsion systems Key Projects: Royal Society-funded research on space debris orbital predictions ESA-supported mission design for under-actuated systems UK Space Agency-funded HoloLens-based orbital visualization Teaching: Module lead for Orbital Mechanics (SESA6076) Lectures in Advanced Astronautics (SESA3039) Supervises PhD students in astronautics and mission design External Roles: Speaker at COMET OPS (2021) and Southampton Astronautics Symposium (2019) Contributions to European Space Agency’s Advanced Concepts Team
Anders Schmidt Kristensen is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University's Faculty of Engineering and Science, affiliated with the Esbjerg Energy Section and the Danish Centre for Risk and Safety Management. His work spans mechanical engineering, computational mechanics, and risk analysis, with a focus on structural design optimization and safety systems. Specializes in CAD-integrated structural modeling and finite element method (FEM) simulations Active in offshore energy and space debris mitigation research Key technologies: drag sail systems for satellite deorbiting, wind turbine power quality control, and tube-tubesheet joint modeling Recent research trends include: Structural health monitoring under thermal stress Optimized evacuation protocols for sports venues Advanced numerical modeling techniques for industrial components
Georg Herdrich is an Associate Professor and academic advisor for part-time studies at the Institute of Space Systems (IRS), part of the Faculty 6: Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy at the University of Stuttgart. His work focuses on advanced propulsion systems, plasma physics, and space technology applications. Key areas include ferrofluid-based attitude control, iodine thrusters (Project BOOST), and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) systems for heat flux and radio blackout mitigation (Project MEESST). He leads research on spacecraft re-entry dynamics, demisable materials, and CubeSat mission validation (e.g., PETRUS thruster on SONATE-2). Research Interests: Electric Propulsion Systems (MPD, PPT) Ferrofluidic Actuators and Thermal Control Aerothermodynamics and Re-entry Phenomena Spacecraft Materials and Sustainability CubeSat Technologies and In-Orbit Experiments Recent work emphasizes experimental validation of propulsion systems and MHD shielding, with contributions to EU-funded projects like MEESST and BOOST. His team collaborates on missions like FINIX (ferrofluid tech) and SOURCE (demise studies). Awards: No scientific awards explicitly listed in texts. Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Space Systems, leading propulsion and materials research groups. Involved in interdisciplinary teams for CubeSat development and plasma wind tunnel experiments.
Sabrina Corpino is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She serves as a Member of the PhotoNext Interdepartmental Center for Applied Photonics and holds scientific advisory roles with the Partnership Agreement with ALTEC, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and NEREUS. Research Interests: Aerospace design, systems engineering, CubeSat missions, and space propulsion. Key Projects: Scientific Manager for PNRR NODES Spoke 1, SINAV, Hera Mission Phase B/C/D/E1, and RAMSES CubeSat-1 Development. Teaching: Lecturer for 'Aerospace Systems' in multiple academic years and collaborator in interdisciplinary courses. Students: Supervises PhD candidates including Nicola Di Gruttola Giardino, Serena Campioli, and Antonio D'Ortona. Awards: Recipient of the 2018 ICAS Casimiro Montenegro Filho Award for Innovation in Aeronautics.
