Dillon Smith Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

El Segundo, California, United States

- Continuously audited and tested the GNC and flight software (FSW) suite through Software in the loop (SITL), Hardware in the loop (HITL), and Monte Carlo testing- Designed, tuned, and implemented a Multiplicative Extended Kalman Filter (MEKF) to provide in flight attitude updates to the RS1 launch vehicle while using minimal sensor measurements- Served as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for RS1's propellant Tank Pressurization Controller- Implemented a GPS constellation simulation to improve the fidelity of the GNC 6DoF simulation- Coordinated with engineers in other domains to tune 6DoF parameters and Monte Carlo dispersions to accurately model physical systems- Supported on console as the GNC RE for vehicle stage level operations- Led stage level operations to test the polarity of GNC owned systems, including for Thrust Vector Controllers (TVCs), the Attitude Control System (ACS) thrusters, and the IMU- Utilized Matlab, Simulink, and Python to write, test, and analyze GNC algorithms- Became familiarized with POST2 to generate preliminary trajectories for the RS1 vehicle

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

I worked on a group of project proposals to the Georgia Tech Research Institute that involve cutting edge space system technology that will be instrumental to the advancement of space innovation throughout the next decade. Specifically, I focused on two projects: one involving the creation and use of an international Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system to be used for cislunar applications, and the other involving the development of a precise formation flying satellite system that will act as a powerful in-orbit radio frequency astronomy device.My primary focus was the cislunar PNT project in which my role involved constructing and evaluating novel satellite constellations. I developed an optimization tool using both MATLAB and Python to minimize a performance based cost function defined by system coverage and dilution of precision (DOP). The tool iteratively defines satellite architectures by varying orbital elements before simulating the constellation through time using the Python based GMAT API. The culmination of my research resulted in my Master's report and a paper being presented at the 2023 AIAA Astrodynamics conference.

East Hartford, Connecticut, United States

I worked as an intern in the combustor aero group at Pratt & Whitney. I focused on developing a process to compare the accuracy and precision of different CFD methods when predicting combustor panel temperature. I gained hands on industry experience with ANSYS Fluent, Classic, and Workbench, MATLAB, Excel, and Minitab. I also assisted with flow testing a combustor with over one thousand hours of flight time.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

I worked with a team of student employees to ensure that patrons using the campus facility adhered to building policies and safety guidelines. With this, I was trained by the American Red Cross to respond to any medical emergency that may occur within the recreation center.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Ben T. Zinn Combustion LaboratoryTasked with redesigning a combustion rig using SolidWorks with the goal of testing and measuring high-pressure turbulent combustion using Raman scattering. Technical experience gained in mechanical design and analysis of the fluid supply system by ensuring it will withstand a temperature of 450 K and a pressure of 750 psi.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Selected to be the project manager for my senior design group. We designed a mission concept in response to NASA's SIMPLEx request for proposals. The technical aspects of the mission design was constructed primarily using Matlab, SolidWorks, and STK. Throughout our design process, we gave three presentations intended to act as design reviews. With my role as the project manager, I was also responsible for organizing meetings, ensuring that we follow the project timeline, and leading presentations.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Aerospace System Design LaboratoryAssisted with the design of an operational concept of an extended lifetime modular support satellite in Python. I tested the physical validity of simulated designs, obtained common performance patterns of current LEO satellites, and ran variable sensitivity tests to understand part and value interactions. Technical experience gained in Python development, error testing, and defining a system based on requirements.

Bachelor'S Degree, Aerospace Engineering

Master Of Science - Ms, Aerospace Engineering