Research Assistant

Space Exploration and Spacecraft Engineering Laboratory, Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences Department

May 2023 - Present

As a research assistant in the Space exPloration And spaceCraft Engineering Laboratory (SPACE Lab) at Florida Tech, I work closely with Dr. Paula do Vale Pereira on space systems, spacecraft engineering, and space exploration projects. I've helped with the simulation and calculation for a research paper titled "Preliminary Modeling of Non-trackable Debris Collection Using a Passive Layered System." Currently, I am involved in the development of a CubeSat mission concept for observation of Earth's desert regions. This involves helping create the mission statement, objectives, and requirements.

Below is a list of publications I've contributed to as a part of this lab:

P. do Vale Pereira, J. L. Silva Cotta, J. Mesley, R. Alarcon, J. Johnson, A. Farrar, M. Talamantez. “Preliminary Modeling of Non-trackable Debris Collection Using a Passive Layered System”, AIAA ASCEND Conference, 2023.

K. Weaver, M. Rivera, J. Mesley, H. Del Castillo, P. do Vale Pereira. “MECO: Mission concept dEvelopment of a CubeSat for lunar Observation”, AIAA SciTech Forum, 2024.