By Anthony Corneau, B.S. IE student
My first internship was in the engineering cost modeling office where I worked on a parametric modeling for space telescopes. This required sifting through and gathering large quantities of historical data then regressing it into a cost model. This gave me insight into budget and scheduling for large scale projects that included R&D, contracting, and multi-year timelines. I was so proud when my work was published alongside my mentors. During this experience, one of my mentors was able to bring me on detail to the Liquid Propulsion Engine Systems Engineering branch. This was so much fun being able to work hands on assembling a developmental rocket engine that was tested as well!
My second internship started in the summer of 2020, which turned into a part-time fall internship, my third and current. Over the last 6 months, I have worked in the Liquid Propulsion Engine Systems Engineering branches as a Systems Engineer, helping to develop the next generation architecture to replicate an in-space representative physical test bed for a project called the Integrated Reaction Control System (iRCS). This is an internal NASA project with strong potential for being part of the Artemis missions as well as the Mars Sample Collection international program. What is unique about this project is that it has no successful implementation to date and yet it would be a landmark achievement in combining the Main Propulsion Systems within space vehicles with their Reaction Control Systems, which historically through today is using two different propellants which creates a very heavy system. My role on the team has been largely systems engineering tasks and covering many different engineering disciplines. I have done work with documentation and data tracking, developing Concept of Operations and Test Matrices, fluid and thermal network flow simulation, component safety analysis, building VBA and Python based tools for analysis and verification, and more.
Through Dr. Boardman’s IE2305 Computer Applications and IE class, I gained experience in VBA that actually became incredibly useful in my current role. I was able to create complex macros that integrated many different software tools into a useful dynamic modeling tool within Excel, as well as create a more user friendly experience by utilizing command buttons and menus. Through Dr. Krecji’s IE 4303: Production and Inventory Control, I have been exploring VBA more in depth and using the simulation aspect with my work by using the principles learned in simulating for a FORTRAN script for a thermal and fluid flow simulation. I look forward to more systems engineering course work to help me in my next internship with NASA in the Summer of 2021.