Vishnuvardhan Selvakumar Email & Phone Number

Houston, Texas, United States

Contributing to hardware development and testing of the Pressure Control Assembly for AxH1 Station's Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)

Houston, Texas, United States

In my role as a HALO Human Factors Intern, I excelled in completing 16 task analyses, meticulously monitoring and tracking crew operations related to the removal, replacement, and maintenance of HALO ECLSS system hardware. Additionally, I showcased my leadership capabilities by leading three Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) with Northrop Grumman stakeholders and ECLSS/Ops Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Together, we successfully fulfilled NASA's human factors deliverables, contributing significantly to the seamless integration crew members and human spaceflight hardware.

Houston, Texas, United States

During my internship at NASA JSC, I developed AR optics, UX, and mechanical design architecture for xEMU spacesuits to support lunar surface EVA operations. I documented 78 COTS AR devices using a custom MediaWiki form, detailing technical specifications and control methods. I also conducted 24 hours of HITL testing in JSC’s lunar Rock Yard to evaluate the user experience, interactions, and optics of these devices. Additionally, I worked on architecting crew mission operations concepts for Lunar EVA, focusing on AR technology for engineering, navigation, and scientific tasks. I performed human factors task analyses to improve AR interactions, lunar surface navigation, and communication between EVs and MCC, and designed HITL test scenarios and scripts to assess 2-EV AR-enabled navigation and communication operations.

West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

Graded bi-weekly problem sets and multiple exams associated with Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics for 50+ undergraduate and graduate students

Houston, Texas, United States

During my role as an ECLSS Intern at Axiom Space, I spearheaded the design, construction, and testing phases of the Vestibule Air Save Pump. I conducted vacuum tests down to 0.5psia tracking pump down, flow rate and thermal profiles. I established a comprehensive framework for the entire test campaign. This involved creating a detailed test matrix, procedures, P&ID, vacuum infrastructure, hazard analysis, and TRRs. This hands-on approach contributed to a 65% hardware volume reduction, a 50% decrease in pump down time, and a 10 dB noise reduction compared to existing ISS systems, within the 9-week internship.

Hawthorne, California, United States

As a Propulsion R&D Intern at SpaceX, I reduced the transport time of the 5000lb Raptor engine within HQ by 350%. This was achieved through strategic vertical integration, innovative Ground Support Equipment (GSE) development, and prioritizing ease of use. Emphasizing safety, I conducted a meticulous verification process, corroborating hand calculations with structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to ensure safety factors for zero fault-tolerant GSE under multiple load cases. Additionally, I streamlined tear-down operations by prototyping tailored work stands for three Raptor engines, ensuring seamless compliance with site layout and technician functionality.

Austin, Texas Area

As the Chief Engineer of the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab, my role centered on crafting a well-rounded launch vehicle system. I led the design process by considering various technologies, including control systems, propulsion options, structural approaches, avionics solutions, and mission operations. This involved collaborative trade studies and team discussions to ensure a comprehensive approach.In addition to technical aspects, I focused on maintaining a clear mission baseline, overseeing requirements, vehicle CAD, mass budget, FMEA, and Con-ops organization. This attention to detail aimed at ensuring an organized and efficient development process.On a more personal note, I took pride in fostering a supportive culture within the lab, emphasizing mentorship for younger students. Guiding the next generation of engineers, my goal was to create an environment that prioritized growth, learning, and collaboration within the team. My time as Chief Engineer was marked by a commitment to both technical excellence and a people-oriented approach.

Austin, Texas Area

As the Structures Lead at the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab, my focus was on developing a comprehensive system for a 25 ft. tall, 15” diameter rocket destined to reach the Karman Line at 100 km. I played a key role in crafting the system overview and initiated the sizing and geometric designs of COPVs, airframe skirts, and overall physical systems integration.Leading a team of 13, I navigated the challenges of the initial design, manufacturing, and testing phases. The collaborative effort involved not only overseeing the technical aspects but also fostering a cohesive and effective team dynamic.In addition to these responsibilities, I contributed to advancing our design tools by validating COPV designs through subscale burst testing at approximately 7000 psi, utilizing a custom hydrostatic burst stand. This hands-on validation process was crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of our design approach.

Austin, Texas, United States

As a Propulsion Intern at Firefly Aerospace, I contributed to key aspects of engine testing and production. I performed critical path high-pressure verification testing of engine sealing solutions, which was instrumental in achieving flight acceptance. I designed and built an electromechanical test fixture to accurately verify the installation and functionality of the turbopump’s RPM sensor/controller. Additionally, I conceptualized an additively manufactured Inconel helium heat exchanger, which reduced part manufacturing time by two weeks and decreased mass by 15%. These efforts helped improve testing accuracy and manufacturing efficiency, supporting the overall progress of propulsion system development.

As a Production/GSE Intern at Firefly Aerospace, I collaborated directly with engineers and technicians on the first-stage Reaver engine and its production. I designed and implemented new aluminum GSE tooling for efficient engine manifold removal and created the aluminum 'Stinger' tooling for safely installing four Reaver engines onto the horizontal test stand. I worked on several tooling projects to improve engine electroplating preparation and leak checks. Additionally, I developed a new vacuum bagging waxing process to reduce the manufacturing time for engine electroplating wax application. I also composed Work Instructions for vendors, detailing the assembly of support equipment used in the engine electroplating process. These efforts significantly enhanced production efficiency and supported critical manufacturing and testing operations.

Cedar Park, Texas

As a Design Intern at Firefly Aerospace, I used Autodesk Inventor to model critical components, including the Lightning Engine, Thorax (engine stand), and the base for a full-scale Payload Fairing. I gained hands-on experience by cleaning turbomachinery for the Reaver engine turbopump using degreaser and citric acid cleaners and by collecting material properties for COPV qualifications. My contributions culminated in assembling and showcasing the Lightning Engine, Thorax, and Payload Fairing Base at the SXSW conference, enhancing Firefly's visibility and enabling me to bridge design and real-world application.

Austin, Texas

As a Flight Systems Engineer for the Longhorn Rocketry Association, I designed and prototyped a modular supersonic rocket airframe using OpenRocket software, which included a carbon fiber fin system that was used on a competition rocket reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet. I also developed a piston-ejection recovery system, tested both on the ground and with several certification rockets, to ensure reliable parachute deployment.

Austin, Texas Area

Beginning my time in LRA, I joined the Certification team and had the opportunity to fabricate my own 6ft fiberglass high power rocket from initial airframe layup to multiple launches. I eventually achieved my Level 2 Certification for Tripoli Rocketry Association and National Association of Rocketry after successfully launching and recovering my rocket, Selvi, to 1600 ft and 5200 ft. I took this experience to mentor new students in designing, manufacturing, and launching their own rockets and directly helped 5 students achieve their level two certification. This involved leading teaching students the basics of rocketry and manufacturing, leading workdays, and also leading launch days where I helped assemble live high-power motors, set up pyrotechnic-based parachute recovery systems, and overall help students safely launch and recover their rockets.

Austin, Texas

As part of the in Dr. Todd Humphreys' Radionavigation Laboratory, I maintained labwide quadcopter hardware and software. Initially, I designed and 3D-Printed vibration isolation modules for onboard camera and IMU/Flight Computer to improve overall stability and resulting image recognition. I also integrated high speed, low latency network connection for quadcopters when flying outdoors through 4GLTE implementation. I took advantage of this improved connection and programmed new network protocols onto the quadcopters using C++ and Bash Scripts to reduce auto-sequence/startup time.

Ms In Aeronautics & Astronautics (Msaa), Aerospace, Aeronautical And Astronautical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Autonomous & Intelligent Multi-agent Systems (AIMS) LabMajor Concentration: Aerospace Systems Minor.

Bachelor'S Degree, Aerospace, Aeronautical And Astronautical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Texas Rocket Engineering Lab, Longhorn Rocketry Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.