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“Our research integrates space systems with engineering models and bold scientific creativity to expand what is possible beyond Earth. We strive to help shape not only the technologies that let us thrive in space but also the explorers that dive into interplanetary horizons and reach for the stars.”

Dr. Pereira

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The Astrodynamics and Space Technology Research & Analysis (ASTRA) Lab at UCF focuses on the development of space exploration technologies. Our work includes several topics under the space system umbrella, such as spacecraft engineering, thermal control in space, mission architecture and design, and in-orbit technology demonstrations.

We can group our work into three main categories:

• Innovative Space Exploration Architectures
  • We are studying novel ways of exploring planetary bodies of high science return potential, such as Uranus, Europa, Enceladus, and Near-Earth Asteroids. These mission concepts include small satellites, machine learning techniques, and creative orbital design to engineer not only the mission plan but also a preliminary design of the spacecraft. Our lab director was part of the NASA JPL Planetary Science Summer School (PSSS), the US Air Force Research Lab’s University Nanosatellite Mission Concept Program, and three CubeSat mission teams, so she uses the lessons she learned along the way to innovate and mentor creative students.
• Ocean Worlds Access
  • Once a mission plan to an Ocean World is set, several technology gaps need to be addressed for the exploration systems and descent probes to dive through the ice and into the under-ice water ocean. Our team is studying how to improve probe shapes and descent methods for thermal efficiency, decreasing the time it takes to reach the water. Having worked on the first experimentally validated model for cryogenic vacuum ice descent of melt probes, been of several NASA-funded Ocean Worlds exploration technology roadmapping efforts, and spent several year performing thermal models and experiments, our director helps the students dive into specific technology gaps and narrow them.
• Enabling Technologies
  • Instruments and probes are not the only systems with technological gaps that, if addressed, would result in an expansion of planetary targets—other spacecraft subsystems can be just as critical. In our lab, we are addressing problems in the thermal control subsystem by developing better radiators and cryocoolers, problems in in-orbit refueling by studying ways to decrease fuel boil-off rates, problems in planetary EDL (Entry, Descent, and Landing) by reproducing the turbulence of heat shield drop-offs using reduced order models, problems on lunar surface sustained presence by modeling power requirements and dust-laser interference, and problems in orbital prediction by creating shape-agnostic gravitational potential attitude control models.

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