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9-30-2020

The AFIT ENgineer, Volume 2, Issue 3

Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology

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Recommended Citation The AFIT ENgineer, vol.2: iss. 3, 2020 (September). Published by the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology.

This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in AFIT Documents by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. September 2020 I Vol. 2, Issue 3

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT AFIT ENGINEER Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT IN SPACE Career-building Education and Research Starts Here

By Col Timothy Albrecht, Director entities like SpaceX, Pumpkin Inc., Analytical Air Force Institute of Technology Graphics Inc., and Tethers Unlimited Inc. to Center for Space Research and Assurance further our students’ space research efforts.

Welcome to the CSRA’s $12M laboratory and equipment suite September issue of enables us to pursue cutting edge research across the AFIT Engineer—an the space portfolio, giving our students hands-on issue that highlights experience in areas like the design, fabrication, CSRA’s SkyPad team (shown above) delivered a space-ready mission in less than six months. AFIT’s role in preparing and testing of small spacecraft. Recent successes our students for the in this area include two AFIT-designed and built rapidly evolving space spacecraft that were launched into space; SOS in domain. As one of eight 2019 and SkyPad in 2020. Two more experiments FOLLOW research centers within are slated for delivery in 2021 and 2022. the Graduate School Col Timothy Albrecht CSRA of Engineering and The DoD stood-up the United States Space Force ONLINE Management, the Center for Space Research (USSF) in December of 2019 to align resources, and Assurance (CSRA) meets the challenge head- mission, and organization with the imperative of https://www.facebook.com/AFITCSRA/ on with an interdisciplinary team comprised defending and projecting our national interests of faculty, staff, and students focused on the in and through the space domain. Likewise, evolution of defense and intelligence missions CSRA continues to adapt to meet the challenges https://twitter.com/AFITCSRA in space. Here, and in subsequent articles, we of a space domain that is increasingly contested introduce you to our award-winning people, and congested. Our faculty have designed new AFIT CSRA facilities, academics, and research activities. courses to address current and future space issues within our Astronautical Engineering Founded in 2012 to enhance AFIT’s research- and Space Systems degree programs. These based, space-focused graduate education new courses include: spacecraft survivability, programs and to provide a staff of technical proximity operations, space control, spacecraft experts across space-related disciplines, CSRA reverse engineering, cislunar orbital design, and WHAT’S INSIDE links the AFIT research team with external Dept. space combat modeling and simulation. of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) FROM THE DEAN’S DESK 2 sponsors while providing laboratory and other The stand-up of the USSF closed out 2019, resources to support research objectives. In this which saw AFIT celebrate its centennial with GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWS 3-6 way, students apply their thesis and dissertation none other than Apollo 11 astronaut ‘Buzz’ ALUMNI NEWS 7 efforts to tackle real-world challenges in the DoD Aldrin in attendance. Our CSRA team had a and IC space communities. banner year too, taking home “AFIT’s Team of AIR FORCE IMPACTS 8-9 the Year 2019” award as well as the “General CSRA creates and facilitates collaborations with Muir S. Fairchild Educational Achievement AFIT IN SPACE 10-21 government organizations such as the Air Force Award” for 2019 for the most significant Research Laboratory, National Reconnaissance achievement to Air Force education. Our UPCOMING EVENTS 22 Office, the National Air and Space Intelligence faculty and staff continue to earn individual Center, and the Space and Missile Systems recognition at the Air Force level in STEM Center. We pursue research challenges for research and education while our students www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer these sponsor organizations across space regularly earn recognition amongst their peers disciplines such as astrodynamics, guidance, for their thesis and published research. We look navigation, optimal control, propulsion, systems forward to carrying our successful momentum architectures, as well as structures and materials. from 2019, through the COVID environment in We also enter into agreements with commercial 2020, and into 2021. FROM THE DEAN’S DESK GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWS

‘Virtuality’ Emerges as Mode of Operation AFIT Welcomes New Students During COVID-19 Pandemic Graduate School Hosts First-ever New Student Virtual Orientation The Graduate School of Engineering and Management hosted AFIT’s first-ever We are delighted to bring you another Missions are accomplished through people working with machines. virtual new student orientation on 24 Aug 2020 which was led by edition of theAFIT ENgineer. This A good demonstration of this symbiotic relationship is the growing Col John “Andy” McQuade, Dean of Students. The virtual event welcomed Volume 2, Issue 3 continues the interfaces we are creating with our computer tools in the COVID-19 approximately 245 new graduate students to the AFIT campus, WPAFB and the AFIT GRADUATE SCHOOL tradition of keeping our constituents era. With limited person-to-person interactions nowadays, it has Dayton area. FALL 2020 NEW STUDENTS informed and abreast of the latest become more imperative that we pay explicit attention Diversityto developments in the Graduate School and Inclusion (D&I). We do better together when we are diverse. “This orientation was designed to ensure that the best and most accurate of Engineering and Management at Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Alice (Betsy) Grimes, AFIT information could be transferred to you and that you feel as though your AFIT family is happy you are here, that your AFIT family is focused on you progressing the Air Force Institute of Technology is making a notable mark on D&I initiatives. A series of seminars, 245 through your mission and that you are going to be a full-up round when October (AFIT). With the physical separation invited talks, and discussion groups have taken place at AFIT in recent AF TOTAL: gets here and you start that mission,” said McQuade. 232 mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic, months. So much so that Dr. Grimes, a member of AFIT’s Diversity DEGREES: (Enlisted 8) it is even more imperative that we and Inclusion Working Group, was invited to give a virtual D&I The orientation included remarks from AFIT Director and Chancellor, Dr. Todd M.S. 85% reach out to everyone via the printed Dr. Adedeji Badiru presentation for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) recently. Please Stewart, who reminded new students to be proud of being competitively Ph.D. 15% word. “Virtuality” (yes, my new term read about this on page six of this newsletter. selected for a unique advanced academic education opportunity at AFIT. ARMY: 7 of systems engineering, not yet in your e-Dictionary) is emerging as the mode of operation in most things we do. Two cases in point are In closing the message for this issue, I would be remiss not to mention Additional remarks came from AFIT leadership including Col Paul Cotellesso, AU the recent virtual orientation programs we conducted for new faculty the ongoing project to develop a customized Teaching Evaluation Tool DET 1 Commander/Director of Staff, Dr. Adedeji Badiru, Dean of the Graduate MARINES: 3 FROM AF ORGS: School of Engineering and Management, and Col James Fee, Associate Dean of and new Air Force Scholars (students) assigned to AFIT. Without (TET) for the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. As USAFA 28 the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. compromising quality or content, we are figuring out new ways of an educational institution, teaching is foundational to what we do. AF ROTC 24 CIVILIANS: 3 moving AFIT’s education mission forward. A total of 22 new faculty We teach what we research and we research what we teach. Further, Briefings were made by Mr. Eric Welsh, Chief of Security, Dr. Amanda Bullock, joined AFIT this Fall Quarter. All the programs for getting the faculty we practice what we teach and research. TET is being designed to AFIT Foundation, Capt Devin DePalmer, AFIT Diversity & Inclusion, 2nd Lt Kyle properly oriented to the teaching, research, and Air Force consultation be a tool of teaching improvement, as a component of our overall Emery, AFIT Student Association, Ms. Tess Willstatter, AFIT Spouses Association, requirements were conducted via virtual means. Similarly, we commitment to continuous process improvement. I will be sure and Maj Timothy Bennett, AFIT Legal Office. These representatives introduced conducted a virtual orientation for 245 new Air Force Scholars. This to give you updates on TET in future issues of the AFIT ENgineer. students to the various organizations that offer support and services to AFIT demonstration of adaptability, flexibility, reliability, and virtuality allows Meanwhile, please mask up and stay safe. graduate school students, both on and off campus. us to practice what we teach in terms of expanding the concept of “ilities” of systems engineering in our mission skills set.

I am particularly proud of the feature story on “AFIT in Space” on the Respectfully, front page of this newsletter issue. The recognized accomplishments of our Center for Space Research and Assurance (CSRA) confirmed that Dr. Todd Stewart we have been in the space-research domain for quite some time and we are moving forward progressively in support of the newly-created United States Space Force (USSF). Quipically speaking, we are all in this Adedeji B. Badiru, Ph.D., PE, PMP, FIIE “space” together and we must work together to support space pursuits. Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Management Col Paul Cotellesso

EN OUTREACH

Dr. Adedeji Badiru The AFIT ENGINEER is an official publication of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Engineering and Management.

Col John McQuade, Dean of Students Col James Fee Office of the Dean 2950 Hobson Way Building 640, Room 302B WPAFB, OH 45433 Facebook LinkedIn Website Newsletter

Mr. Eric Welsh Dr. Amanda Bullock Capt Devin DePalmer 2nd Lt Kyle Emery Ms. Tess Willstatter Maj Timothy Bennett

2 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I3 GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWS GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWS

Lt. Col. Andrew non-peer reviewed articles. Google scholar notes “These successful Graduate School Faculty Academic Promotions his peer-review work has 347 citations and he has Geyer h-index of 10. applicants have The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management has completed demonstrated the value the academic year 2019-20 promotion and tenure cycle. Seven faculty members underwent a rigorous Lt. Col. Andrew Geyer Hoisington’s primary research focus is studying earned promotion to the built environment to improve occupant’s of an AFIT education by evaluation of their teaching, scholarship and service resulting in a promotion in academic rank. Associate Professor of health. Specifically, his work has investigated strategically integrating “Our promotion and tenure evaluation process is built on a rigorous evaluation of each candidate Statistics with military building factors that correspond with negative in order to identify those of such high quality as to merit academic promotion,” tenure within the Mathematics and Statistics mental health outcomes. In addition, he has teaching, research, and department. In 2014, Geyer graduated from said Dr. Christine Schubert Kabban, Faculty Council President for the Graduate School. interest in the microbiome of occupants and the Air Force consultation. AFIT with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics built environment. then joined the faculty. He has served as the I am proud of their By Katie Scott I Air Force Institute of Technology researcher advisor for three doctoral and 11 master’s students. Dr. Scott Nykl accomplishments and I look forward to their Geyer’s research interests include design Dr. Scott Nykl earned Dr. Julie Jackson a sought-out academic advisor having advised detector development, and nuclear weapons of experiments, combinatorial optimization future contributions to the four Ph.D. students and 22 master’s students. He effects has been lauded by DoD customers. promotion to Associate problems in statistics, statistical performance Professor of Computer advancement of graduate Dr. Julie Jackson earned received the 2019 Professor Ezra Kotcher Award. He has brought in more than $2M of sponsor metrics, and statistical classification techniques. funding and manages $350,000 per year as the Science with tenure within education at AFIT.” promotion to Professor of the Electrical and Computer Electrical Engineering within Lunday’s technical research emphasizes director of the NWEPP program. He has published eight refereed journal theoretical developments in math Engineering department. the Electrical and Computer articles, one book chapter, and 16 conference He joined the Graduate School faculty in 2015, – Dr. Adedeji Badiru, Dean of the Engineering department. programming, game theoretic models, and presentations. He received research grants totaling Graduate School of Engineering algorithmic design for global optimization, as Dr. John Elshaw approximately two years after receiving his Ph.D., Jackson joined the Graduate $214K from the Air Force Technical Applications summa cum laude, in computer science from and Management well as applications to the areas of network th Weather School in 2009 following receipt of her Ph.D. Center, Air Combat Command, the 45 Ohio University. from The Ohio State University. design, network optimization, network Dr. John Elshaw earned Squadron, and the U.S. Space Command. interdiction, network restoration, facility/ promotion to Associate resource location, and resource location/ Professor of Systems Nykl has advised 11 master’s students, four of Jackson’s research interests include radar which were distinguished graduates, and one signal processing, synthetic aperture radar allocation and assignment. Engineering with tenure Lt. Col. Andrew By The Numbers within the Systems earned the prestigious AFIT-level Polk Award imaging, passive radar, and automatic target Hoisington recognizing student research that has made a recognition. She has authored 15 peer- Engineering and Management department. He is a graduate of significant contribution toward strengthening the Accumulative reviewed journal articles; contributed to 45 Dr. John McClory Lt. Col. Andrew Hoisington Purdue University with a Ph.D. in management nation’s industrial defense base. peer-reviewed conference papers; has one earned promotion to achievements by these Dr. John McClory earned specializing in organizational behavior and patent pending; supported 26 funded research Associate Professor of Nykl has authored 11 peer-reviewed journal seven graduate school promotion to Professor of human resource management. He joined the projects totaling over $2.2M, including over Engineering Management articles, two book chapters, contributed to 18 Nuclear Engineering within AFIT faculty as a military member in 2008, and faculty members: $1.2M in personal funding; and advised 25 with military tenure within the Systems peer-reviewed conference papers, 12 peer- the Engineering Physics became a civilian faculty member in 2013 upon master’s and five Ph.D. students. Engineering and Management department. reviewed abstract conferences, and awarded two department. He earned a retirement from active duty in the Air Force. He has 19 years of active duty experience in patents with one additional patent pending. Ph.D. from AFIT in nuclear Jackson has received numerous awards and civil engineering and education. He received a Nykl has supported 15 funded research projects engineering in 2008 and then joined the AFIT + honors including the prestigious IEEE Fred Elshaw has published 11 refereed journal doctorate degree from the University of Texas at totaling over $1.9M, including $1M in personal faculty while serving as an active duty Army officer. Nathanson Memorial Radar Award (2019). articles, 1 book chapter, and 12 peer-reviewed Austin in environmental engineering in 2013. funding. His research interests include real time 300 conference papers. He has received numerous 3D computer graphics, computer vision, sensor publications McClory has taught most of the AFIT nuclear research grants, with direct responsibility for Hoisington has advised seven master’s theses, fusion, parallel processing, interactive virtual Dr. Brian Lunday engineering courses, 37 course offerings to 906 over $380K of research funding. He has advised served on committees for two Ph.D.’s and 11 worlds, and computer networking. students. He is an excellent instructor and has a 24 students as thesis chair, and 37 additional master’s students, and led 13 undergraduate + Dr. Brian Lunday earned very successful record mentoring AFIT graduate students as a committee member across all researchers. His dedication to education Nykl’s awards and honors include the Air Force promotion to Professor of students, serving as the committee chair for 36 department programs. and students has been recognized in awards Level Winner for STEM Advanced Technology 165 Operations Research within master’s and 17 Ph.D. students. including the Society of American Military Development (2019) and the Air Education and students the Operational Sciences Elshaw’s research interests include acquisition Engineers National Educator of the Year, USAFA Training Command’s nominee for the Air Force department. Lunday first He has 90 refereed publications, 53 in open in the DoD environment; learning curve Outstanding Academy Educator, and the Outstanding Scientist/Engineer (2018). Nykl was advised joined the AFIT faculty in source archival journals and 37 in limited analysis and its application to organizations; AFIT Military Officers Association of America also mentioned in Forbes’ “The Greatest Young 2013 as an Assistant Professor while serving as an distribution publications of the DoD. He and leadership; human-technology interaction Outstanding Military Instructor. Inventors In America” in 2012 for his work on an nearly active duty Army officer. He was hired as a civilian his students present in the restricted annual (virtual teams, electronic monitoring, distance aWake-Turbulence Aware Altimeter. faculty member in 2016 and awarded tenure the Hardened Electronics and Radiation Technology leadership); motivation (self-regulation, To date, Hoisington has 21 peer-reviewed journal following year. He earned a Ph.D. in industrial and Conference and have publications in the intrinsic versus extrinsic control); human articles, one book chapter, five conference systems engineering from Virginia Polytechnic associated peer-reviewed Journal of Radiation performance; and organizational trust and publications, six distinguished lectures, and 64 (This article has been edited for length.) $7M Institute and State University in 2010. Effects, Research and Engineering at ITAR or commitment. Together with co-principal classified levels. investigators, Elshaw received the 2016 Best in sponsored Lunday has published 38 archival journal articles, Track Paper – Safety, Human Factors, and research funds 23 of which are in what are considered top- McClory’s research in radiation effects on Ergonomics at the Industrial and Systems CLICK TO READ FULL FACULTY BIOS tier, and six in the top journal in his field. He is electronic devices and materials, radiation Engineering Research Conference.

4 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I5 GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

SMART Scholarship Recipient Earns Degree at AFIT Marine Commander’s View on an AFIT Education “AFIT is an ideal institution for civilians to attend as part of the SMART By Katie Scott By Katie Scott “AFIT was positively a full-up, intense academic “My experiences both at AFIT and teaching at Scholarship program,” said Col. Andy McQuade, dean of students within Air Force Institute of Technology Air Force Institute of Technology institution so there had to be quite a bit of time the Naval Academy have been very helpful in AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. “The immersive put into purely learning and understanding the formulating my command philosophy and desire Raised in the small town of Denison, Texas, Lansing S. Horan IV earned academic and research experience allows civilian scholars to work defense- United States Marine material,” said Paxton. He fondly recalled working to develop the leaders among Marines so they a bachelor’s of science degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M focused problems with uniformed service members, other civilians, and Corps Lieutenant Colonel on class projects like designing small unmanned can be competent in their field, courageous University. In his undergraduate senior year, he researched graduate schools international partners.” James C. Paxton III is aircraft systems that could be launched from in whatever decisions they make, and also and funding sources when he came across the Science, Mathematics, And currently serving as the cargo aircraft as well as taking classes outside his compassionate in taking care of other Marines,” Research for Transformation Scholarship-for-Service Program. Attending the Air Force’s graduate school seemed like a nice pairing since Commanding Officer of major’s track. One of those classes was “Effects shared Paxton. Horan’s sponsor was the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick Marine Corps Air Station of Nuclear Weapons” which afforded him the The SMART Scholarship Air Force Base, Fla. “With AFIT located on a military base and being a military Yuma Headquarters and opportunity to travel with the class to Livermore, The process of researching and writing his program is an opportunity organization, and then knowing I was going to work for the DoD, it linked Headquarters Squadron CA and Albuquerque, NM to visit nuclear master’s thesis helped to hone his critical thinking for students pursuing a together for me,” said Horan. (nicknamed the weapons laboratories. and decision making skills that are vital to his technical undergraduate or “Guardians”) in Yuma, United States Marine leadership of the squadron. “Even though it isn’t graduate degree in science, Horan’s thesis focused on researching asteroid deflection using a nuclear Corps Lt. Col. James Arizona. He is a naval C. Paxton III Being one of a few Marines in a predominately in the same technical realm, just analyzing all the technology, engineering, explosive. Done in collaboration with the Planetary Defense group at aviator who flew F/A-18C Air Force school didn’t hinder Paxton. He found information at hand and being able to apply it and mathematics disciplines Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, it is a topic that Horan believes he and KC-130J aircraft, and now flies the UC-12F. He a community of other students with whom he to the situation and make a decision utilizes the to receive a full scholarship was able to choose because of the unique connections that AFIT faculty have attended TOPGUN in 2007, and was designated a shared common experiences to enhance his same thought processes we employed at AFIT. It and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense upon with the DoD and other defense-focused agencies like the DoE. “If I had gone Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor. learning. “I remember two of the Air Force pilots has been very helpful because as a commander degree completion. into almost any other nuclear engineering program in the country, I don’t think who were there as part of Test Pilot School. you need to think beyond the tactical level and I would have had the opportunity to study a topic like that,” said Horan. Returning from deployment in 2013, Paxton I appreciated the insights and perspectives they understand the repercussions of decisions at the The opportunity to earn a master’s degree and have a job when complete was selected by the Commandant’s Professional had on flying how their experiences related operational and strategic levels,” said Paxton. was very attractive to Horan. “It’s nice to have something guaranteed, “For me, AFIT was definitely the right choice,” Horan noted. “It was a very Intermediate-Level Education Board to earn a to the subjects we studied. I interacted with especially in our current environment,” Horan noted. valuable experience and AFIT’s uniqueness plays an important role in master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from different circles of students to learn from others Paxton’s advice for future AFIT students is to go shaping an individual’s diversity of education and experience.” the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate in addition to assimilating what the instructors all in. “Go for it – do it – I think it is going to be a Horan learned about an advanced educational opportunity from the School of Engineering and Management. provided,” said Paxton. great experience. But I also say buckle up because Air Force Institute of Technology through an internet search on nuclear More information about the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program can be you are going to be doing some hard work. There engineering programs. “I saw that it was a very unique program offering a found at www.smartscholarship.org. More information about AFIT’s STEM Attending AFIT was a humbling experience for Following graduation in 2015, Paxton reported is always the tendency to do well enough to make focus on nuclear weapon effects as opposed to nuclear power or radiation degree programs can be found at www.afit.edu/EN/allprograms. Paxton who was nearly 15 years removed from to the United States Naval Academy where he the grade and move on, or even compete with detectors that civilian universities offer,” Horan added. his last college experience. “I had been outside served as an aerospace engineering instructor. each other to get the best grade, but embrace the of the academic environment for quite some “I don’t think I would have been able to effectively actual learning so that you can take the knowledge time. I definitely learned a lot from the second teach had I not gone to AFIT. Reintroducing those and experiences with you wherever you go in lieutenants who had just graduated from the Air basic fundamentals to me was critical and it also order to better serve others.” AFIT Diversity and Inclusion Working Group Invited to AFRL Force Academy,” Paxton said. But his operational reignited a hunger for learning. It was a huge experience brought a valuable dynamic to his blessing to bring an academic foundation as well By Donna Lindner life experiences, social norms ask the candidate how classes where he was able to share how he applied as the operational and leadership experience to CLICK TO READ FULL STORY Air Force Research Laboratory and stereotypes. They may they would respond to the material to real world scenarios. the midshipmen,” said Paxton. result in unconscious and specific scenarios. Air Force Women quick projections about in Science and personalities, capabilities and “We hear about Engineering resource beliefs. Grimes believes that promoting respect and group from the it is imperative to recognize preserving dignity in the Alumni/Student Semifinalists of AFMC 2020 MAJCOM Spark Tank Air Force Research biases and develop strategies workplace,” said Simone By Marisa Alia-Novobilski The AFIT alumni/student semifinalists are: Laboratory (AFRL) to avoid pitfalls. Koram, AFRL’s Sensors Air Force Materiel Command recently hosted a Directorate Learning • Data Driven Facilities with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), virtual presentation “Awareness of unconscious Officer and AFWiSE Four AFIT alumni and one submitted byMaj. Patrick Grandsaert (M.S. Engineering titled “Unconscious Dr. Alice Grimes bias and its potential impact member. “Equality and current Ph.D. student from Management, 2015), Air Force Civil Engineer Center Bias in Hiring Director of Faculty is the first step in diminishing the effect race is a sensitive topic on the radar of many the Graduate School of Practices” by Dr. Development and helping to ensure that individuals are minds, yet undeclared due to fear of being Engineering and Management • Pubs 3.0, submitted byLt. Col. Daniel Montes (M.S. Aeronautical Alice (Betsy) Grimes, evaluated fairly,” said Grimes. misunderstood or judged. Today’s leaders were selected as AFMC 2020 Engineering, 2005), Air Force Office of Scientific Research member of the Diversity and Inclusion are seizing the opportunity to address the MAJCOM Spark Tank semifinalists. Spark Tank, a collaboration between Working Group at the Air Force Institute of Another barrier leading to bias are interview uprising emotions of the workforce on the AFWERX and Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Management, • Patent Pending Aircraft Diagnostic Using Nanomaterial Based Technology (AFIT). questions that may be ill suited for a issue of unfair treatment and respect for is an annual campaign designed to spur and empower innovative ideas Paint, submitted by1st Lt. Michael Sherburne (M.S. Electrical particular job and more general in nature, equality,” she said. from Airmen to further strengthen Air Force culture and capabilities. Engineering, 2020), 1st Lt. Candice Mueller (M.S. Aeronautical Grimes discussed assumptions and leaving room for the interviewer’s own Engineering, 2020), and Maj. John Brewer (AFIT Ph.D. student), judgements often made when first interpretations and judgments to cloud The semifinalists present their innovative and game-changing ideas to a Air Force Research Laboratory introduced to someone. She commented decisions. A good tactic would be to give a CLICK TO READ FULL STORY panel of leaders during the upcoming AFMC Senior Leader Conference. that these biases are based on upbringing, realistic scenario for the job being filled and The top two ideas will go to represent the major command in the 2021 (This article has been edited for length.) Air Force Spark Tank competition.

6 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I7 AIR FORCE IMPACTS AIR FORCE IMPACTS

2019 Federal Library of the Year AFIT Launches Online Graduate Certificate The AFIT/AFRL D’Azzo Research Library Recognized with Award in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction By Katie Scott By Katie Scott Air Force Institute of Technology Air Force Institute of Technology D’Azzo Research New Graduate School The Federal Library and Library staff Weapons of mass destruction can be man-made Information Network (FEDLINK) Program Options and leadership or naturally-occurring in a chemical, biological, selected the D’Azzo Research gathered in radiological, or nuclear form. Regardless of the Available AY20-21 Library for the 2019 Federal honor of National source or type of agent, several U.S. government Library/Information Centers of the Library Worker’s Day in April 2018. agencies are responsible for anticipating, Year award in the large library/ MASTER’S IN-RESIDENCE The joint AFIT/ evaluating, and countering WMD threats. information center category. PROGRAMS AFRL library Personnel with an understanding of the scientific The award recognizes the many received the 2019 principles behind WMDs are critical to advising Acquisition & Program innovative ways that federal Federal Library/ leaders at all levels of government. U.S. Army photo/Lt. Col. Carol McClelland Management libraries fulfill the information Information The Air Force Institute of Technology launched an demands of the government, Centers of the Year award in “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back to online graduate certificate in countering weapons Scientific & Technical business, and scholarly the large library/ light the fact that weapons of mass destruction, of mass destruction. The graduate certificate is an Intelligence communities. information online part-time program designed to be completed whether they be biological, chemical or nuclear, in one year. center category. can make a huge impact on our way of life,” The D’Azzo Research Library, said Dr. James Petrosky, professor of nuclear MASTER’S DISTANCE- a joint effort between the Air engineering and director of the Nuclear Expertise The ability for AFIT to launch the online certificate LEARNING PROGRAM Force Institute of Technology’s for Advancing Technologies Center at the Air program is due to support received from the Data Analytics Academic Library and the Air U.S. Air Force photo by Katie Scott Force Institute of Technology. Department of Homeland Security whose leaders (Anticipated JAN 2021) Force Research Laboratory’s were looking for technical, graduate-level education Technical Library, was honored for The Countering of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the WMD field. “There is a need for this technical increasing information access and outreach to “We strive to meet the changing learning, research, and teaching graduate certificate is an online part-time program education, especially in the folks who are looked to AFIT students and faculty, AFRL engineers and IN-RESIDENCE designed to be completed in one year. Students as experts to advise decision makers at all levels of scientists, and the global research community. needs of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS take one course each quarter that will provide a the government,” said Slagley. Low Observables to enable the school to attain its strategic directions. As we move fundamental scientific knowledge base related to “I am delighted for the D’Azzo Research Radio Frequency forward, we will endeavor to continue our support to faculty, enhance the production, use, effects, and mitigation of WMD. The first course in the series this fall is biological Library’s recognition for both its outstanding weapons effects and technology. The course customer service and collaboration on spaces, and most importantly, student success.” Low Observable “The graduate certificate programs at AFIT fill a is particularly interesting at this time with the electronic subscriptions,” said Ms. Annette Materials Engineering – Dr. Ellis Beteck, AFIT library director niche with graduate-level, technical and achievable COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide response. Sheppard, AFRL/RQWL branch chief and AFRL education for working professionals to complete “A relatively quiet period in infectious disease was library director. “Our partnership is important part-time in about a year,” said Dr. Jeremy Slagley, ended by the emergence of COVID-19. Biological Space Vehicle Design to both organizations as we share similar “I am extremely proud of the progress the (Anticipated JAN 2021) 532 participants while completing a library assistant professor of industrial hygiene and weapons generally are simply infectious diseases goals to support the mission of the Air Force D’Azzo librarians have made towards increasing space reconfiguration that increased visits by environmental science and the director of the and the world is affected all the time,” explained the and the Warfighter.” access to resources and improving the user eight percent. CWMD graduate certificate program. course instructor, Lt. Col. Casey Cooper, assistant interface and research experience,” said Mr. Rob professor of industrial hygiene. DISTANCE-LEARNING Working with AFRL and base contracting, the Marshall, AFRL/RQW division chief. “As a direct and frequent user of the library, I What makes the AFIT CWMD certificate program organizations collaborated to purchase more CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS cannot be more proud of our librarians for this unique is the graduate-level technical focus of the AFIT first awarded the CWMD certificate in 2009 than 23 databases and journal collections, In fiscal year 2019, the library launched its Countering Weapons of externally-bestowed honor. This proves that our classes with a focus on both warfare and terrorism. as part of an in-resident master’s degree program. saving more than $382,000. On-site, a staff institutional repository, AFIT Scholar, a single, Mass Destruction librarians are the best,” said Dr. Adedeji Badiru, “There are several programs offered throughout Thirty students earned the certificate before the of 13 responded to 5,612 reference requests central, searchable database and delivered Dean of AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering the country on CWMD, but none are technical. They master’s program was suspended in 2018. This is and taught 36 academic research classes to 36,850 thesis and dissertation downloads to Data Analytics and Management. are political science type programs based on policy the first time the certificate has been offered as 2,486 institutions in 166 countries. and agreements,” said Dr. John McClory, professor a stand-alone program and executed fully online. Modeling, Simulation, of nuclear engineering and chair of the nuclear The CWMD graduate certificate program is open to “We strive to meet the changing learning, and Analysis engineering program at AFIT. government personnel at no cost. The library is named in honor of research, and teaching needs of the Graduate (In-residence option also) School of Engineering and Management Dr. John D’Azzo, an engineer, educator, to enable the school to attain its strategic Operations Research DID YOU and technology leader, who served nearly directions. As we move forward, we will More information on the CWMD Online Graduate Certificate is 64 years at Wright-Patterson AFB. With endeavor to continue our support to faculty, available on the AFIT website at www.AFIT.edu/EN/allprograms and Space Systems KNOW? more than one million items, it is the third enhance spaces, and most importantly, prospective students can apply online at www.afit.edu/Admissions/ (In-residence option also) largest research library in the Air Force. student success,” said Dr. Ellis Beteck, AFIT AFITApplicationProcess. library director.

www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I9 8 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 CSRA BY THE NUMBERS

GRADUATE THESIS TOPICS

Academic programs RESEARCH ALUMNI CURRENT NEWS AFIT Space HISTORY CSRA’S $12M AFIT space-related graduate thesis research LABORATORY & topics are online at https://www.afit.edu/CSRA EQUIPMENT SUITE = Click on the “Research Publications” tab + 6,000 SQ FT OF LAB SPACE DATA FROM SPACE RESEARCH COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES FACILITIES & CAPABILITIES Learn about research collaboration opportunities CSRA Space Object Self-Tracker Sending Daily Data Messages with CSRA at https://www.afit.edu/CSRA EE Space Systems Prototype Design Lab Click on “Research Opportunities” By Jaclyn Knapp “The two greatest benefits of my education at Satellite Tracking & Control Ground Station Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT were the ability for a hands-on research Center for Space Research and Assurance investigation leveraging modeling and simulation Space Environment Chambers tools as well as collaborating with other senior Space Propulsion Chambers The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Space subject matter experts,” said Claybrook, section SIMSAT System Object Self-Tracker experiment, launched in June chief and capability manager, space asset resilience, of 2019, is now fully operational, providing daily Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Spacecraft Hardware Qualification Lab PUBLICATIONS data messages containing its current position and Electrodynamics Shakers 10 velocity in space. “This experience was also an opportunity to Clean Room 10,000 ISO 7 conduct thesis work within a real, meaningful Mechanical Design Lab The SOS is a self-sufficient, low-cost, low-weight, DoD-based problem-set, rather than a pure ACCEPTED and low-power system which demonstrates academic investigation where the thesis Helmholtz Cage CSRA 2019 WITH PEER- precise orbit tracking capabilities for use in future ultimately ends up sitting on a shelf,” said Solar Simulator 7 REVIEWED Space Domain Awareness and Space Traffic Claybrook. PUBLICATIONS JOURNALS Management applications. The SOS experiment is a hosted payload on NASA’s Green Propellant According to Dr. William Wiesel, AFIT professor Infusion Mission spacecraft. As a hosted payload, of astronautical engineering and SOS principal RESEARCH & FOCUS AREAS CONFERENCE AFIT’s Center for Space Research and Assurance’s investigator for the navigation mission, the data 8 SOS team anxiously waited for permission to from AFIT's SOS experiment is now being used to Spacecraft Design, Manufacture, and Test PAPERS begin its experimental mission. AFIT’s CSRA qualify and further develop the next generation CubeSats designed, manufactured and tested the payload of autonomous, onboard satellite navigation and Experimental Payloads SPACE-RELATED through one of several collaborative efforts with mission planning software. Although the original 24 the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles experiment software showed that kilometer level Space Situational Awareness MASTER’S THESES Directorate at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. navigation was possible, computer technology is Orbital Engagement advancing so quickly that miniature single board Formation Flying “Now fully operational, SOS data will be used computers can now execute advanced orbit Responsive Orbits in both the classroom and for further research. determination algorithms, allowing for accuracy RESEARCH PARTNERS Our collaborative relationships with sponsors of a few tens of meters. Modeling & Simulation like AFRL/RV provide our students with unique Mission Planning & Modeling opportunities to receive both a hands-on “SOS-derived technology will allow much of Spacecraft Survivability space education, while also making a research the satellite’s ground site ‘handholding’ to be contribution to the larger space community,” said offloaded to the satellite itself, allowing the Communication Dr. Rich Cobb, CSRA associate director. vehicle to plan and execute a list of high-level Propulsion objectives,” said Wiesel. Reentry Dynamics Student involvement with SOS technology Courtesy photos development has contributed to research Structures topics in orbital dynamics, systems engineering, Top photo: Chris Sheffield, laboratory technician for AFIT Center for Space Research and Assurance, Cyber Assurance and solar cell and panel design technology. conducts testing on AFIT’s Space Object Self-Tracker AFIT astronautical engineering graduate, John Claybrook, researched an orbital dynamics Center photo: The Space Object Self-Tracker after completing pre-ship checkout before delivery for final integration. The payload is now fully operational, and provides daily data messages containing its problem for his thesis to ensure the mission current position and velocity in space. AFIT was the objective could be achieved. first U.S. school Bottom photo: AFIT CSRA team members completing final checkout of the Space Object Self-Tracker to offer an CSRA works with DoD and other U.S. government experiment. The SOS launched in June of 2019. DID YOU KNOW? astronautical agencies to ensure AFIT is responsive to the 10 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 engineering national security space community. degree. AFIT’S ASTRONAUTICAL ENGINEERING Female Graduate Students Sound Off & SPACE SYSTEMS DEGREE PROGRAMS AFIT SPACE PROGRAMS ADD AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY on AFIT Education and Careers in Space AFIT’s Astronautical Engineering (GA) and Space Systems (GSS) VALUE TO USAF & USSF fully-accredited master’s degree programs provide students with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge in the field of Astronautical • Astronautical Engineering (GA) and Space Systems (GSS) graduate students Engineering and Space Systems, respectively, and apply that knowledge are prepared to perform a wide variety of to an in-depth investigation of a specific research topic. functions within the U.S. Air Force and U.S. WOMEN IN Space Force. Due to the breadth of courses A doctoral specialty may be pursued in any of the taken by AFIT students, they are conversant areas of concentration within the Department. in many technical disciplines. Specialty coursework generally consists of one STEM & SPACE or more graduate sequences, augmented by the • GA/GSS graduates help form a cadre of more advanced courses, which are offered for USAF/USSF/DoD space professionals who doctoral students. Students interested in a doctoral program should will shape emerging national space doctrine, By Jaclyn Knapp discuss those interests with a member of the Department who is operations, and future organizational Air Force Institute of Technology actively engaged in research in an area of interest to the student. structures. Center for Space Research and Assurance Additionally, the Space Systems (GSS) certificate is available as either an • The research performed by GA/GSS in-residence or distance learning program. graduates is focused on current and future USAF/USSF technology issues. All space For additional information about graduate or post-doctoral degrees research topics are sponsored by the U.S. Air in Astronautical Engineering or Space Systems, please visit the CSRA Force, U.S. Space Force or DoD organizations. RECENT AFIT GRAD CURRENT AFIT STUDENT AFIT ALUMNA web page at https://www.afit.edu/CSRA/ and click on the “Degree Programs” tab. 1 Lt Liberty Shockley 1 Lt Cecily Agu 1 Lt Megan Maikell Satellite Test Flight Engineer AFIT Graduate Student LDPE (Long Duration Propulsive ESPA)-1 Launch Vehicle Integration Manager Degree: Master of Science, Field of Study: Master of Science, SPACE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Astronautical Engineering, March 2020 Astronautical Engineering, March 2021 Degree: Master of Science, Astronautical Engineering, March 2019 Follow-on assignment: Follow-on assignment: United States Space Force, SMC/DCIOX Department of the Air Force (DAF) Follow-on assignment: NEW IN-RESIDENCE GRADUATE Rapid Capabilities Office United States Space Force, SMC/DCISS CSRA LAUNCHES NEW SPACE COURSES CERTIFICATE BEGINS IN 2021 Why should a prospective student attend How has CSRA staff and other How has your degree and overall Space Control Sequence AFIT instead of a Civilian Institution? AFIT resources assisted with the experience at AFIT contributed to your CSRA debuted two new graduate-level courses in 2019 as part of a wider Space Vehicle Design Certificate Starting in January 2021, students will be able to enter into complexities of transitioning to current career in the Space Force? specialty course sequence pertaining to “Space Control.” The first course, ASYS “Attending AFIT was my only opportunity to blend my the new Space Vehicle Certificate program which leverages, in Distance Learning? 633A (Spacecraft Safety and Survivability), provides students with the analytical work experience at NASA to pursue a space specialty. “My time at AFIT increased my technical part, AFIT’s existing space vehicle design sequence, originally tools necessary to understand spacecraft failures, forensically characterize and AFIT professors are focused on students and research “CSRA staff and AFIT resources have done understanding of space vehicle systems a three-course sequence designed to give students in-depth predict spacecraft reliability, and assess spacecraft survivability. The second in a way that is unmatched in the civilian world. They a great job making the shift to distance and the importance of the testing these vehicles knowledge of all aspects of spacecraft design and test. course, MECH 633A (Spacecraft Maneuver and Rendezvous), examines the are either in their lab or in their office for the full duty learning. Instructors have communicated go through pre-launch. AFIT contributed to my dynamic modeling and control of multiple spacecraft operating in close proximity. day, whereas at the CI I attended for my undergrad, I expectations early and often, leaving no career by expanding my technical foundation, The first course of the program, ASYS 531 (Space Mission In 2020, a third course was added, ASYS 733A (Integrated Multi-Domain Combat was sitting outside my advisor’s office for hours.” ambiguities as to when and how course which is paramount for a developmental Analysis and Systems Design), begins with a short mission Modeling), which provides a detailed introduction to campaign analysis and work is to be accomplished.” engineer in today’s Space Force.” description and ends with the development of a space vehicle combat modeling with an emphasis on today’s integrated and multi-domain What problems did you encounter in your requirements document. In the second course, ASYS 631 warfighting environment, with an eye towards combat in the space domain. research and course work and how did AFIT Why should a prospective student What course at AFIT was the most (Satellite Systems Engineering), students develop a design resources help you solve them? attend AFIT? beneficial to your degree program and solution that satisfies the space vehicle requirements. Cislunar Orbit Design Grad Course “AFIT has enough resources and dedicated current career? In the next course, ASYS 632 (Satellite Design and Test), “If I couldn’t find the professor of a class at AFIT, I The newest addition to AFIT’s suite of graduate-level astrodynamics courses, staff for ensuring the success of the “The most beneficial part of my AFIT experience students actually build a representative space vehicle and could talk to anyone in the CSRA hallway and get help MECH 733A (Numerical Methods for Orbit Design), provides advanced student, but it also falls on the individual for my career was my thesis itself, not because I conduct requirements verification and environmental with my problems. At AFIT, they’re looking out for you instruction in formulating cislunar trajectories and understanding the complex to take the challenges head on. Staying currently do any work with Hall Effect Thrusters, qualification testing. The fourth and final course, ASYS 629A and your career, whereas at a CI, they have no idea dynamics of multi-body gravitational systems. The course is in-line with the motivated and driving yourself to learn but because the process provided me with so (Spacecraft Systems Analysis & Design), is new to the AFIT about military obligations and time commitments, current U.S. national, defense, and commercial push towards conducting through unconventional means will instill much first-hand experience and feedback with curriculum and will debut in October 2021. This course will and could slip your degree six months to a year.” operations within the cislunar environment. a resiliency that will serve you well in background research, technical defense, and serve as the capstone to the program, and will introduce your most difficult classes and research working with hardware and test equipment.” students to forensic and reverse engineering. How did AFIT and your degree as a whole contribute to your current career in the problems.” Why should a prospective student After completing this sequence, students will have been Space Force? attend AFIT? HOW TO APPLY TO AFIT exposed to all aspects of the space vehicle development life “I would not be as capable in my current job without For more information on eligibility requirements cycle from mission and system definition, through preliminary an MS in Astronautical Engineering. AFIT and only a “AFIT is a great career choice for anyone and detail design, to assembly, integration and testing. This handful of CI programs offer a space-focused degree who would like to pursue higher education and how to apply to AFIT, visit the admissions unique certificate combines analytical design with laboratory rather than just an aerospace degree with space opportunities as a full-time assignment. The page at https://www.afit.edu/ADMISSIONS/ tests of actual spacecraft systems to provide students with a topics. It made a world of difference and I feel like instructors are phenomenal and there is enough unique immersive, hands-on experience. Please check with the I can help solve problems in my current profession technical expertise to assist any thesis.” 12 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 Department or the AFIT Registrar for program eligibility. that makes my contributions specifically valuable.” www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I13 FOCUS ON SPACE RESEARCH AFIT’s Space Object Self-Tracker (SOS) AFIT’s MC3 Network Node Experiment Launched (2019) (2013-Present)

AFIT’s Space Object Self-Tracker (SOS) experiment launched in June In addition to conducting experiments in space, AFIT also 2019 on the Department of Defense’s first SpaceX Falcon Heavy participates in a CubeSat communications network. This network, rocket. The SOS is a self-sufficient, low-cost, low-weight, and low- known as Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) System CSRA SPACE RESEARCH power system which demonstrates precise orbit tracking capabilities is a collection of individual ground stations managed by the Naval for use in future Space Domain Awareness and Space Traffic Post Graduate School. Multiple ground stations increase the total AFIT’s Center for Space Research and Assurance was founded in November 2012 to Management applications. The SOS experiment is a hosted payload time available for CubeSats to download their mission data and on NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission spacecraft. enables technology demonstrations to be developed and tested meet the space needs of the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Air in a faster development cycle. Force (USAF and USSF) and Intelligence Community (IC) by both enhancing AFIT’s AFIT’s CSRA designed, manufactured, and tested the payload through research-based, space-focused graduate education programs through external one of several collaborative efforts with the Air Force Research Communication capability upgrades in 2018 enabled CSRA’s Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. MC3 System to download remote spacecraft data, or telemetry sponsorship and by providing a staff of technical experts in many disciplines to Data from AFIT’s SOS experiment is being used to qualify and further data from four new satellites in only 13 days. Since its inception support a wide variety of areas of research across multiple academic departments. develop the next generation of autonomous, onboard satellite in 2013, the MC3 System has communicated with 11 satellites. navigation and mission planning software. As of July 2020, the tracker Data received from the satellites is used for positioning satellites was fully operational, providing daily data messages containing its in space. current position and velocity in space. The MC3 network node at AFIT has enabled student exposure RIGEX Space Shuttle Experiment (2008) GRISSOM 6U CubeSat Program Initiation to real-world satellite experience, end-to-end satellite testing, (2016) and satellite communications. CSRA student thesis topics Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment (RIGEX), regarding MC3 have included managing telemetry, tracking, and an experiment designed and built by AFIT students to study AFIT is developing a space-qualified 6U CubeSat bus, called commanding, finding and fixing software bugs, and developing AFIT’s SkyPad Payload Launched (2020) more robust software for the network. the behavior of structures built using rigidizable/inflatable Grissom, to support hands-on student education and research. technology, was flown on NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Students will use the Grissom 6U busses both in classroom USSF-7 mission successfully launched AFIT’s SkyPad, a payload CSRA was initially chosen as one of two locations in the Mission STS-123 and successfully tested in a near zero gravity and thesis work to design, build, and test CubeSat missions. aboard the United States Air Force Academy’s FalconSat-8 spacecraft eastern United States to house a ground station due to mutual environment. The first-ever designed/built/tested space flight This effort will leverage significant bus component and core bus, which is an experiment hosted on the X-37B Orbital Test educational goals, increased base security and less frequency experiment for AFIT, RIGEX was the collective thesis effort of Vehicle. SkyPad’s mission is to demonstrate star tracking and high disruption on site for receiving data. The collaboration allows flight software development performed at AFIT over the past performance on-board processing using commercial cameras and multiple AFIT students (AF and Navy) across the Aeronautical, few years and will include in-house hardware and software improvements to DoD satellite management and provides graphic processing units. The GPUs will be reprogrammable on-orbit payloads for CSRA’s in-house CubeSat bus. Astronautical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering programs. development, bus integration, and environmental testing. to enable experimentation in star tracking, image processing, data compression, and orbit determination using software code developed For its first mission, the DoD’s Space Experiment Review Board at AFIT. The payload employs an experimental suite of components for demonstration in the space environment. This collaboration also (SERB) approved the Grissom-1 CubeSat to launch aboard ALICE 3U CubeSat Experiment (2012) provides a platform for graduate research and hands-on education the Space Test Program’s STP-S28 mission in early 2022 and in mission analysis and design, payload hardware and software The ALICE (AFIT LEO iMESA CNT Experiment) satellite was a 3U carry two experimental payloads. The Grissom-1 CubeSat development, integration and testing and on-orbit experimentation. CubeSat supplied by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO_ represents AFIT’s first autonomous space flight experiment to The CSRA SkyPad team, composed of more than 60 students, military, Colony CubeSat program to test technologies in orbit. The be fully developed, integrated, and tested by AFIT faculty, staff, and civilians, delivered a space-ready mission in less than six months satellite carried the iMESA (Integrated Miniaturized Electrostatic and students. Lessons learned from the Grissom project will ahead of schedule. Analyzer) and the CNT (Carbon Nano-Tube) experiments. enhance the development of the planned 12U (Cooper) and Georgia Tech manufactured the carbon nanotube array and 27U (Eisele) CubeSat buses. The CubeSats are named after AFIT AFIT built the payload and assembled and tested the satellite. alumni who became astronauts: Lt Col Virgil “Gus” Grissom (B.S. The objective was to test the performance of the carbon Engineering Sciences, 1956), Col (ret.) Leroy Gordon Cooper nanotube array by using custom-built integrated miniaturized (B.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1956), and Col (ret.) Donn Eisele electrostatic analyzer (iMESA) sensors, based on designs (M.S. Astronautics, 1960). provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy.

ALICE was designed, tested, and integrated at AFIT by a multi- AFIT is developing a AFIT ALUMNUS IN SPACE space-qualified 6U department team of professors, students, and technicians. CubeSat bus, called ALICE launched as a secondary payload on an Atlas-5-501 Grissom, to support “The two greatest benefits of my education at AFIT were the ability for a hands-on research investigation hands-on student vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, as part of the education and leveraging modeling and simulation tools as well as collaborating with other senior subject matter experts,” GEMSat/ELaNa II NASA mission and was controlled by a ground research. Students explains John Claybrook, AFIT graduate. “This experience was also an opportunity to conduct thesis work station at AFIT. This represented an end-to-end space mission will use the Grissom 6U busses within a real, meaningful DoD-based problem-set, rather than a pure academic investigation where the thesis design, build, and fly capability and was the first by AFIT’s newly both in classroom formed Center for Space Research and Assurance. and thesis work ultimately ends up sitting on a shelf.” to design, build, and test CubeSat Mr. John Claybrook, Section Chief and Capability Manager, Space Asset Resilience missions. Arnold Engineering Development Complex Master of Science, Astronautical Engineering, 2013 14 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I15 AFIT ALUMNI IN SPACE GUION “GUY“ BLUFORD, JR. (COL., USAF, RET.)*

During the past century, AFIT and its predecessor organizations have educated NASA Astronaut 1978-1993 hundreds of thousands of military professionals. AFIT graduates have made significant contributions in Air Force organizations such as Space and Missile Systems Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering,1978 Center (SMC), United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Air Force Research M.S. Aerospace Engineering, 1974 Laboratory (AFRL) and the newly-created United States Space Force (USSF). Distinguished graduate In regards to space, 30 astronauts have received their graduate degrees at AFIT. • The first African American in space MARK BROWN (COL., USAF, RET.) • Logged more than 688 hours in space on four NASA Astronaut 1984-1993 separate flights M.S. Astronautical Engineering, 1980 • Inducted into the EDWIN “BUZZ” ALDRIN (COL., USAF, RET.)* U.S. Astronaut Hall Dayton, Ohio native NASA Astronaut 1963-1971 of Fame (2010) • Supported STS flights 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 41-C in the • Participated in AFIT‘s Flight Activity Officer/Staff Support Room of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Centennial astronaut Mission Control Center Ph.D. Astronautics, 1962 panel (2019) • Served as astronaut member on the Space Station Freedom Program • Aldrin obtained a • Received the Ohio VIRGIL “GUS” GRISSOM graduate education Distinguished Service medal for his lifetime achievements in • Mission Specialist: Orbiter Columbia STS-28 mission (LT. COL., USAF) through AFIT‘s Civilian (1989) and Orbiter Discovery STS-48 mission (1991) Institutions education service to the state and nation (2020) NASA Astronaut 1959-1967 program • Participated in AFIT‘s Centennial astronaut panel (2019) B.S. Engineering Sciences, 1956 • Became a member of COL. SHANE CLARK the Gemini 12 mission 30th Space Wing vice commander, • Selected as one of NASA‘s Original Seven in 1966 and established Vandenberg AFB (Ret. Summer 2020) BRIG. GEN. DOUGLAS SCHEISS Mercury Astronauts a new record for extravehicular activity Commander, 45th Space Wing, Patrick Space M.S. Space Systems, 2004 • Became the first Air Force astronaut in space on (EVA), spending 5-1/2 hours outside the spacecraft Force Base & Cape Canaveral Space Force the second Project Mercury mission Station • Named lunar module pilot for Apollo 11 (the first • Launch Decision Authority (LDA) for two launches: Delta II and Falcon 9, two flight tests; Minuteman III • First man to fly in space twice (Gemini III) manned lunar landing mission) which resulted in Aldrin becoming the second human being to set foot and a Missile Defense Interceptor, and participated M.S. Space Systems, 2004 in numerous other launches and tests • Selected to command the first Apollo on the Moon in July 1969 • Achieved “Drive to 48” in 2019: manned mission • Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (1993) • Final launch: Mission director for the May Aug 2019: Launched • Died at NASA Kennedy Space Center in four times within four • Participated in AFIT‘s Centennial (2019) astronaut panel 2020 launch of the the 1967 Apollo spacecraft fire during a USSF‘s USSF-7, and weeks; launched two launchpad test the X-37B Orbital times within 34 hours DID YOU KNOW? Test Vehicle for the (which hadn‘t been • Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame done in 30 years) Department of the (1990) Lt Edwin Aldrin, Sr. was a student of the first graduating Air Force‘s Rapid Dec 2019: Supported class of the Air Service Capabilities Office two launches in one • AFIT‘s CSRA manages the Grissom CubeSat Engineering School (AFIT) in week Project, a 6U common bus development effort, June 1920. In his class photo, • AFIT‘s Center for named to honor the AFIT alumnus Aldrin, Sr. is the first student Space Research and Assurance‘s SkyPad payload • Commander of the first base to change their and astronaut seated on the bottom row. was also aboard the U.S. Air Force Academy‘s name to reflect the USSF (2020) FalconSat-8 spacecraft bus, which is an experiment 16 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 *DENOTES AFIT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER hosted on the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I17 AFIT IN SPACE CURRENT NEWS AFIT IN SPACE CURRENT NEWS

Historic Milestones Achieved Center for Space Research and Assurance Despite COVID-19 Constraints Follow-on Space By Jaclyn Knapp l’Air); another history-making milestone for the Assignments for Wins General Muir S. Fairchild Award Air Force Institute of Technology Center. Lt. Gindre’s research has involved small Center for Space Research and Assurance spacecraft systems engineering. One project focused on validating software-based radiative AFIT Graduates By Jaclyn Knapp As a participant in AFIT’s centennial celebration in November 2019, CSRA The COVID-19 restrictions have brought many heat transfer models in order to improve Air Force Institute of Technology hosted Apollo 11 astronaut, Col. (retired) Buzz Aldrin and four space changes and challenges for the students, modeling confidence and accuracy of CubeSat Follow-on assignments for space- Center for Space Research and Assurance shuttle astronauts as the highlight of the event. In addition, eighteen student-collaborative research papers were published in internationally- faculty and staff of the Air Force Institute of component thermal designs. Another focus related March 2020 AFIT graduate Technology’s Center for Space Research and of his research was to minimize the number The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Center for Space Research and recognized, peer-reviewed journals signaling the caliber of AFIT’s students include the following: NRO, Assurance was selected as the winner of The General Muir S. Fairchild students, faculty, and research. Assurance. One immediate challenge was of commercial-off-the-shelf modular attitude AFRL/RV, SMC, 3SES, 533TRS, UPT, switching all in-person classes to distance control units for a 6U CubeSat while maximizing Educational Achievement Award for 2019. and F-22 SPO. learning; something that has never been the control torque for a given mission. “2019 was a great year for AFIT and the Center. I’m proud of our team and implemented before in the history of the “This most prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition of all the work we accomplished last year when the DoD and USAF spotlight shined of the outstanding contributions of the faculty, students and staff on the space domain,” said Col. Tim Albrecht, CSRA director. Center. Through the use of Microsoft Teams earned Maj Timothy Anderson affiliated with AFIT’s Center for Space Research and Assurance. With 365, professors are able to teach classes live a Ph.D. in applied Mathematics with video capabilities and other technological the recent establishment of the United States Space Force as the “We’re honored Lt. Gen. Hecker, commander and president of Air and his follow-on assignment is modifications and applications. Faculty nation’s newest military service, it is particularly fitting that this award University recognized us with this award and look forward to carrying office hours, research meetings, student the detachment commander for recognizes and highlights AFIT’s unique capabilities to support the this momentum through 2020 in support of our students and research presentations and study groups have also the 18th Space Control Squadron, advance education needs of that new service,” said Dr. Todd Stewart, programs,” said Albrecht. continued through the use of virtual technology. Detachment 1. The current mission AFIT director and chancellor. CSRA is one of eight interdisciplinary research centers of AFIT’s Graduate In addition, faculty can also record live lectures is Space Domain Awareness (SDA) The General Muir S. Fairchild Educational Achievement Award was School of Engineering and Management. so students can view again later for clarification. with the ultimate goal of converting “The education we are receiving now is of the established in 1964 to recognize the most significant contribution to the Detachment into a space same caliber of education we were receiving Air Force education. Its purpose is to stimulate and reward creative and before the distance learning began,” said 2d experimentation squadron within the outstanding achievement in military education and to increase interest in Courtesy photo Lt. Nathaniel Enders, astronautical engineering SDA domain. furthering professional educational development with the Air Force. Col Tim Albrecht, Director of the student. “This is a testament to both the Due to COVID-19 restrictions, AFIT CSRA was forced to switch all in-person classes to distance learning; Center for Space faculty’s and student’s ability to adapt. All of During the award period, 1 January 2019 - 31 December 2019, CSRA something that has never been implemented before 1 Lt Taylor Whitney earned an graduated 26 master’s and doctorate astronautical engineering and space Research and my instructors this quarter have been very in the history of the Center. In March 2020, the Assurance, was M.S. in Applied Physics and her responsive to questions I have in and out of Center also welcomed its first international intern systems students and delivered over one thousand quarter hours of presented with the class. They care about students learning just as from the French Air Force Academy; another history- thesis research focused on solar graduate credit in high-priority space-related disciplines. General Muir S. much as the students do,” said Enders. making milestone. physics working toward the goal of In addition, CSRA’s laboratories enabled unique hands-on graduate Fairchild Award at student research projects, including the successful launch of AFIT’s Space the “AFIT All Call” forecasting solar flares. Her follow- on 27 August 2020 To encourage class interaction, professors will Due to COVID constraints and restriction of Object Self-Tracker on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in June 2019. The on assignment is at the Space SOS payload was entirely designed, manufactured and tested by AFIT’s by AFIT Chancellor, present questions to be answered within a time access to the AFIT campus, Lt. Gindre’s research Weather Operations Center, Dr. Stewart. limit. This approach also assists with keeping was changed from a hands-on approach to a CSRA faculty, staff and students. where her work will support the students actively engaged in class since distance computer-based effort. Although the greatest learning requires more effort to stay focused. difficulty was completing the research in a Space Force. Courtesy photos telework environment through the use of video AFIT Distinguished Alumnus “CSRA staff and AFIT resources have done conferencing and phone calls, one major benefit Capt Brandon Hufstetler, 13S, a great job making the shift to distance of this collaboration was the ability to start a earned an M.S. in Operations Gen Muir S. Fairchild learning. Instructors have communicated dialogue with a fellow NATO member for space expectations early and often, leaving no systems design, development, and testing. The Research and he is assigned to 1929 ambiguities as to when and how course work internship also laid the foundation for future the 533 Training Squadron at : Air Corps Engineering is to be accomplished,” said 1st Lt. Cecily Agu, research collaboration in space, as well as other Vandenberg AFB, CA to be a space School (AFIT) astronautical engineering student. “AFIT has technical/engineering disciplines across AFIT. In instructor at the schoolhouse. 1946-1948 enough resources and dedicated staff to ensure relation to the Center, the internship enhanced : Commander of His thesis was titled Heuristic Air University success of the student, but it also falls on the its diversity by bridging international cultures Approaches for Near-Optimal individual to take challenges head on. Staying to create a collaborative environment for space motivated and driving yourself to learn through research and analysis. Placement of GPS-Based Multi-Static 1948: Vice Chief of Staff of the unconventional means will instill a resiliency Radar Receivers in American Coastal Air Force (rank of a four-star that will serve you well in your most difficult “Our Department of the Air Force leadership Waters. He has applied to the General) classes and research problems,” said Agu. emphasizes the importance of building and NASA Astronaut program with an Daedalian Commander and Chairman, Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe III, USAF (Ret), presented the prestigious award virtually. The winner of the General Muir S. Fairchild strengthening partnerships. AFIT and CSRA look endorsement from Gen Raymond. 1950: Died in active duty as In March 2020, CSRA welcomed its first forward to expanding the relationship begun Vice Chief of Staff Award is determined from an individual or organization that contributed the most to AFIT, Air University (AU) or Air Force education. Since 1964, each winner is engraved international intern, 2d Lt. Paul Gindre from with Lt. Gindre in the critical domain of space,” on a trophy that is on display at AU, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. the French Air Force Academy (L’École de said Col. Timothy Albrecht, CSRA director.

18 I AFIT Engineer I September 2020 www.afit.edu/EN/afitengineer I19 Apollo spacecraft NASA selects six AFIT/CI catches fire at Cape alumni to be part of Astronaut Kennedy killing AFIT AFIT SPACE HISTORY Group 3: Donn Eisele, David alumni Gus Grissom, Scott, Buzz Aldrin, William Edward White, and AFIT alum Guy Bluford Anders, Charles Bassett and Roger Chaffee becomes first African- NASA chooses Roger Chaffee American in space AFIT alums Virgil as Mission Specialist “Gus” Grissom and of Space Shuttle AFIT donates the space Gordon Cooper Don Eisele is command pilot of Challenger flight experiment to be part of the Apollo VII – the first manned RIGEX to the National Mercury Seven Gordon mission in the lunar landing Museum of the U.S. Cooper program. Mission transmits the Space Shuttle Discovery Air Force orbits first live TV broadcast aboard a launches on a mission Earth for crewed U.S. spacecraft to International Space Gus Grissom is the eight days Station with AFIT alums second American and proving AFIT Centennial celebrations onboard – Steven Lindsey first AFIT alum to go man could include an AFIT alumni panel of (Commander) and into space as part of survive in AFIT alum Mike Steven Lindsey serves as former astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Buzz Aldrin serves Mike Fossum (Mission Project Mercury space long Mullane serves as Commander of the final Guy Bluford, Mark Brown, Steven as Apollo 11 lunar Mission Specialist Specialist) enough for module pilot and mission of Space Shuttle Lindsey, and Mike Mullane a trip to the of Space Shuttle Discovery becomes second man Discovery moon to walk on the moon

AFIT hosts Ms. Gwen Shotwell, COO of SpaceX

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ALICE 3U CubeSat AFIT’s SkyPad experiment Space Rigidizable Control payload is Inflatable Get-Away- Space GRISSOM Sequence successfully Special Experiment Object 6U CubeSat added to launched A two-year (RIGEX), AFIT’s Self- curriculum Astronautics program is first designed/ Tracker initiated program is built/tested space (SOS) initiated at AFIT flight experiment, hosted- is tested on Space payload is Shuttle Endeavour delivered Ph.D. programs are Graduate Space Space initiated at AFIT Operations program AFIT establishes the Vehicle is initiated in response Center for Space SkyPad Design School of Engineering is to NORAD request Research and Assurance hosted- Certificate granted accreditation to payload is program award master’s degrees delivered SOS experiment is to begin launched on DoD’s Space Vehicle Design first SpaceX Falcon Sequence added to Heavy rocket curriculum Capability for satellite modeling, simulation, and analysis using high performance computers (i.e., AFIT SPACE PROGRAMS & RESEARCH “super computers”) is established UPCOMING EVENTS

OCTOBER 2020 AFIT Graduate School Summer Graduation Degree Conferral (No Ceremony) AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 01 Oct 2020 AFIT FACULTY SEARCH

AFIT Graduate School Fall Quarter Classes Begin AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 01 Oct 2020

WPAFB TechExpo Virtual Event, WPAFB, OH I 20 Oct 2020

HLC Reaccreditation Team Visit AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 19-20 Oct 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 To search for AFIT Graduate School AFIT’s 101st Birthday AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 10 Nov 2020 faculty members and view their online bios, please visit us at DECEMBER 2020 www.afit.edu/BIOS AFIT Graduate School Fall Quarter Classes End AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 17 Dec 2020

AFIT Graduate School Fall Graduation Degree Conferral STAY CONNECTED (No Ceremony) AFIT Campus, WPAFB, OH I 24 Dec 2020 Graduate School of Engineering & Management www.afit.edu/EN (937) 255-3025 Coming in the December 2020 AFIT Engineer: Artificial Intelligence Education & Research Office of Research & Sponsored Programs www.afit.edu/ENR [email protected] (937) 255-3633

AFIT Engineer Newsletter Archive www.afit.edu/EN/AFITengineer

Office of Alumni Affairs www.afit.edu/ALUMNI [email protected]