Benjamin Polzine Email & Phone Number

Helsinki, Fi

Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland

Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland

Flight dynamics engineer for ICEYE's earth-imaging SAR satellite constellation. • Responsible for tasks related to propulsion and orbit determination. • Experience planning and executing satellite maneuvers and propulsion activities.• Monitoring, operating, and improving upon a fleetwide orbit determination system.• Developing python scripts focused on maneuver planning, orbital dynamics, and orbit determination.• Writing and maintaining documentation for flight dynamics… Show more Flight dynamics engineer for ICEYE's earth-imaging SAR satellite constellation. • Responsible for tasks related to propulsion and orbit determination. • Experience planning and executing satellite maneuvers and propulsion activities.• Monitoring, operating, and improving upon a fleetwide orbit determination system.• Developing python scripts focused on maneuver planning, orbital dynamics, and orbit determination.• Writing and maintaining documentation for flight dynamics processes. Show less

Exton, Pennsylvania, United States

Senior C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2022-Present.• Working alongside Chief Orbital Scientist to extend OD capabilities by addressing bugs and implementing new features in C++.• Creating utilities in Python, Javascript, and HTML/CSS to process measurements and analyze orbit and satellite characteristics during the OD process.• Engaging in software engineering best practices through use of version control, unit testing, and Swarm-enabled code… Show more Senior C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2022-Present.• Working alongside Chief Orbital Scientist to extend OD capabilities by addressing bugs and implementing new features in C++.• Creating utilities in Python, Javascript, and HTML/CSS to process measurements and analyze orbit and satellite characteristics during the OD process.• Engaging in software engineering best practices through use of version control, unit testing, and Swarm-enabled code reviews.• Implemented support for external data files types, such as: SPICE ephemeris, SPICE attitude, CCSDS OPM, JPL DE planetary ephemeris.• Extended GPS simulation accuracy through the inclusion of gain characterization data to limit measurement generation.• Collaborating with UX, doc, and test team to design and resolve issues.• Directly engaging with customers, implementing custom solutions using .NET plugins to address their needs.• Co-authored paper AAS 22-726 for 2022 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference: Simulating a Dynamics-Informed Cislunar RPO Mission Incorporating Orbit Determination. Show less

Exton, Pennsylvania, United States

C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2019-2022.• Worked within a small team to develop new astrodynamic and OD capabilities for the existing orbit determination product.• Wrote core business logic in C++ and created in-product utilities using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Python.• Created utilities that assist the user in processing measurements and analyzing orbit and satellite characteristics.• Implemented new OD measurement types to extend measurement… Show more C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2019-2022.• Worked within a small team to develop new astrodynamic and OD capabilities for the existing orbit determination product.• Wrote core business logic in C++ and created in-product utilities using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Python.• Created utilities that assist the user in processing measurements and analyzing orbit and satellite characteristics.• Implemented new OD measurement types to extend measurement processing capabilities. Examples include one way doppler as well as angle and range measurements for multiple forms of optical navigation.• Implemented geolocation capabilities for static targets using space-based TDOA measurements. Show less

Exton, Pennsylvania, United States

• Elected by peers in the Development department for a two year term to represent employee interests to the Executive Leadership Team.• Served as Junior then Senior Chair, elected by fellow EAC members to organize and guide team.• Developed OKRs for team to guide quarterly actions.• Created mechanisms that allow employee ideas which better the workplace to be processed and evaluated in a timely manner. Approved ideas are then raised to the ELT.• Improved the resources available… Show more • Elected by peers in the Development department for a two year term to represent employee interests to the Executive Leadership Team.• Served as Junior then Senior Chair, elected by fellow EAC members to organize and guide team.• Developed OKRs for team to guide quarterly actions.• Created mechanisms that allow employee ideas which better the workplace to be processed and evaluated in a timely manner. Approved ideas are then raised to the ELT.• Improved the resources available to managers to evaluate and assist in the growth of their teams.• Assisted team in improving communication between HQ and Field employees. Show less

Exton, Pa

Exton, Pa

C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2019-2020.C# Developer for the Space Event Generator (SEG), 2016-2019.• Worked in team to develop a space situational awareness software product for the purpose of Test, Training, and Exercise support.• Acted as project’s primary aerospace orbital mechanics simulation developer, creating realistic simulations of spacecraft events. Event types designed and modeled: decay, intercept, proximity operations, rendezvous… Show more C++ Developer for the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), 2019-2020.C# Developer for the Space Event Generator (SEG), 2016-2019.• Worked in team to develop a space situational awareness software product for the purpose of Test, Training, and Exercise support.• Acted as project’s primary aerospace orbital mechanics simulation developer, creating realistic simulations of spacecraft events. Event types designed and modeled: decay, intercept, proximity operations, rendezvous, deorbit, breakup, conjunction, ephemeris, anti-satellite launch, maneuver, lambert maneuver.• Utilized orbital mechanics to simulate satellite behavior, ephemeris, and observation generation. • Heavily leveraged STK's Astrogator functionality as well as its differential corrector and optimization tools for maneuver and orbit targeting.• Wrote C# to simulate optimized satellite trajectories, link discrete space events in realistic manner, and generate ephemeris and observation measurements across entire missions.• Developed business logic, web services, and unit tests in C#. • Wrote REST and SOAP web services to support SOA software development approach.• Prototyped aerospace events using MATLAB and Python.• Made use of Perforce for version control, Jira and Teamtrack for Agile development process.• Interfaced with Oracle database to store and retrieve data. Worked with database team to design database tables for each space event. • Wrote first implementation, then majority of, user-facing product documentation. Show less

San Luis Obispo, California Area

Thesis - The Collisional Evolution of Orbital Debris in Geopotential Wells and Disposal OrbitsCreated a high-accuracy orbital propagation tool leveraging solar radiation pressure, third-body gravitational forces, and gravitational perturbation effects. Applied the propagator to satellites in the GEO disposal orbit regime to analyze behavioral evolution in the presence of geopotential wells. Orbital accuracy confirmed against STK's HPOP propagation scheme. Using propagator to simulate… Show more Thesis - The Collisional Evolution of Orbital Debris in Geopotential Wells and Disposal OrbitsCreated a high-accuracy orbital propagation tool leveraging solar radiation pressure, third-body gravitational forces, and gravitational perturbation effects. Applied the propagator to satellites in the GEO disposal orbit regime to analyze behavioral evolution in the presence of geopotential wells. Orbital accuracy confirmed against STK's HPOP propagation scheme. Using propagator to simulate collisions between debris objects within the GEO and graveyard orbits using a specially-adapted, GEO-regime NASA LEGEND/EVOLVE collision model. Analyzing behavior of debris, particularly with regards to wells and their unstudied effects on the health of GEO spacecraft. Show less

San Luis Obispo, California Area

Graded papers and exams for a 400-level aerospace controls class.

San Luis Obispo, California Area

Lectured and supervised a 100-level aerospace class. Operated a weekly lab section for students and provided feedback and guidance in the building and design of a model rocket and RC aircraft.

San Luis Obispo, California

Worked in a pair to redesign two 400-level aerospace labs. Led the redesign of a rotating reaction wheel enclosure and assisted in the development of a fully-controllable model aircraft with for the on-campus wind tunnel. Soldered and combined Arduino components to achieve functionality, wrote Arduino code to verify performance, and produced an accompanying lab manual.

Provided data entry and tech support for the campus corporation. Wrote a CL script for the campus mainframe to delete and maintain old records.