Adam Z
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of California Davis (UCD)
Expertise
Aerospace engineering
Bio
My background is in small satellite development and construction, in particular attitude determination and control, i.e. how a satellite knows where it is pointing and changes its orientation. I love both hardware and software projects - whether that's writing code to simulate a satellite in orbit or building the circuitry itself that will fly in space. My current research project is an inspection satellite that will orbit around the International Space Station, taking photos to look for deteriorating or damaged equipment. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy anything that takes me outside: biking, hiking, ultra marathons, backpacking, and rock climbing. Any day on a trail surrounded by trees is a good day.Project ideas
Space Habitat Monitoring
As people travel into deep space, their dwellings will need to self-monitor to ensure the safety of the inhabitants. What measurements are needed and how can that information be presented to astronauts in a helpful way? These questions (and others) can be taken in many directions, all centered around how humans can better interact with their "smart home".
Self-driving Cars on Mars
Self-driving systems have undergone dramatic development in the last decade; this development represents advancements in many fields, both software (computer vision and machine learning) and hardware (sensor systems). How might these technological advancements be applied to exploration on other planets? Research needs to be done to identify relevant technologies on Earth and how they can be applied to extraterrestrial navigation.