Lucas Utley Email and Phone Number

Plant 3 - Composite Assemblies and Finishes• Improved production routings in SAP with the necessary tool numbers, build instructions, time standards, and reference documents for all models containing composite components• Planned details /assemblies as part of production preparation efforts for SkyCourier and Denali• Released tool work orders for hard and electronic tool revisions, new tools, and repair orders• Submitted engineering change requests to improve manufacturability and correct engineering drawings• Participated in safety kaizens and ergonomics improvements, adjusting planning and releasing tool work orders accordingly • Coordinated daily with Engineering, Tooling, Quality, Material & Processing, buyers, or contractors • Provided general manufacturing floor support through daily communication with Operations teams

Throughout Summer 2020, I worked on the first phase of a project with a defense company to provide rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) capabilities for a 200lb aerial target drone. I designed and built a test stand for statically evaluating the performance of rocket motors up to 2000lb thrust, downselected commercial rocket motors suitable for a demonstration test, assisted with a proof of concept demonstration launch, and created a development plan for transitioning this project from commercial motors to formulations and motor systems designed in-house.

Provided supplemental course instruction, completed assignment and exam grading, assisted with lab experiments and other necessary roles in the Aerospace Propulsion and Power course and Aerospace Engineering Laboratory course for undergraduate seniors pursuing their BS in Aerospace Engineering.

1. Studied the considerations and feasibility of additively-manufactured, liquid-cooled rocket nozzles on the small scale for CubeSat and SmallSat thruster technology. After water flow testing the coolant geometry, polymer-based printed nozzles were fired in small potassium nitrate-sorbitol solid propellant motors to evaluate cooling capabilities.2. Built high-power rockets for launching payloads belonging to Honeywell and the National Security Campus in Kansas City. Corresponded with PIs on payload requirements and integration handling, as well as providing timely launches with launch data post-flight. 3. Developed and grew university research capabilities in rocket propulsion including test equipment and academic programs. Applied for funding grants with NASA EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) and NSTRF (NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship) to grow space propulsion research areas at OSU.

Worked on aspects of in-space propulsion systems, in particular those using green monopropellants for CubeSat and SmallSat thrusters. Characterized, validated, and analyzed data of DAQ systems and flowmeters by means of cold flow testing of 100lb green monopropellant thruster delivery system. Ran tests and analyzed data for test analogs through rapid prototyping to evaluate the feasibility of post-launch pressurization system (PLPS) technologies on use for SmallSat propulsion systems. Evaluated PLPS designs with green propellant compatibility, packing, and containment strategies.

Assisted with the design of replacement piping and duct assemblies of mining/mineral processing, conducted mineral and product sampling for quality evaluation and reporting. Implemented an autonomous truck scale transaction and recording software to track plant product exports.