Michael Wilson Email & Phone Number

Dublin, Ie

Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

As part of my degree in MSc Space Science and Technology from UCD, I completed an internship at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in the field of in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU). During this project, I investigated the energy costs involved in producing oxygen from lunar regolith. I researched different methodologies on how regolith could be reduced to produce oxygen and what systems would be needed in such processes. I specifically implemented a solution to estimate the energy costs involved with excavating lunar regolith by considering parameters such as rover and scoop type, the physical dimensions of the scoop, the depth and density of the regolith, and the forces involved. This project was the focus of my master's thesis. Aside from this project, I researched potential applications of CubeSats for human space exploration, providing a short literature review for my supervisor.

Kildare, Ireland

I worked as an ambassador for Maynooth University's Experiential Learning Office, where I promoted the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and the Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Award. I was promoted to a senior ambassador after one year. As part of this role, I represented the Experiential Learning Office at Open Days and other official university events. I spoke with current and prospective students about the different programmes and extra-curricular activities available at Maynooth University. This involved public speaking at stands and in lecture halls of up to 300 students.

County Kildare, Ireland

I demonstrated an experiment weekly for a group of up to 14 first year experimental physics students. I was responsible for teaching students how to do the experiment, ensuring safety requirements were met for the experiment, and correcting laboratory reports submitted by students.

*Studying far-infrared interferometry using a Fourier transform spectrometer* The aim of this project was to set up a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) to spectrally analyse and study sources of far-infrared radiation in a frequency range of 70 – 120 GHz. Interferograms were taken of a beam of far-infrared radiation that passed through a Michelson interferometer to show the consistent pattern of destructive and constructive interference at different mirror distances. Fourier transforms were applied to the interferograms to retrieve the frequency of the source. Much of the analysis of the project was carried out using Matlab, where experimental results could be compared with statistically calculated results. Improvements were made to the apparatus through different installations. The successful implementation of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer that could spectrally resolve two sources of far-infrared radiation was achieved by the end of the project. This research was carried out to better understand the characteristics of T-rays, which occur at frequencies between 0.1 THz and 30 THz. Applications of T-rays can be seen in security, astronomy and medicine.

County Kildare, Ireland

*Detecting a candidate X-Ray Superburst from a Low Mass X-Ray Binary with the Chandra X-Ray Telescope* I reduced and analysed data taken by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory using the ‘CIAO’ software package through Linux. When sources were detected, they were analysed to see if they were significant. Further analysis was completed using Python 3. Lightcurves were constructed and some spectral analysis was completed to reveal more about the sources detected. The result was the detection of a potential superburst from a low-mass X-ray binary.

Maynooth, Co. Kildare

- Welcomed customers to the restaurant and served food and drinks to tables. - Prepared desserts and helped serve behind the bar. - Entrusted with looking after specific sections of the restaurant. - Helped clean the premises at the end of every shift. - Worked as part of a team of approximately 20 people.

County Kildare, Ireland

- I served at functions of up to 300 people, at breakfast, in the bar and in the restaurant of the hotel. - I was made a team leader after two months of employment at a function of approximately 200 people. - I worked as part of a team of approximately 40 people that spanned across the entire hotel. - I was responsible for taking orders, serving customers, and ensuring all customers were satisfied with the service they received.

Master Of Science - Ms, Space Science & Technology, 1.1 (Gpa: 3.82)

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Physics With Astrophysics, 1.1

Activities and Societies: - V.P. for Jazz and Blues in Maynooth University's Music Society 2018/19 - Ambassador for Summer Programme.