About Me

EXPERIENCE

• Built a MIL-STD-704 test rack with programmable power supply, oscilloscope, and Raspberry Pi (PoE/SSH) to simulate aircraft power conditions (spikes, over/undervoltage), and developed 8+ Python scripts with SCPI/PyVISA to automate compliance testing, verify avionics tolerance to brownouts/voltage drops, and stream time-series data 

• Implemented hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) capability to verify actuator system functionality, built wiring harnesses for full system-level integration, and developed Python scripts to automate thermal and vibration testing

• Created and built wiring harnesses for antenna test setups, collected raw GPS data via INS and NovAtel, and wrote Python scripts to convert GPS time, filter data, and stream time-series data for performance comparison of filtered vs. unfiltered LNA GPS antennas using C/N₀ (Carrier-to-Noise ratio) and DOP (Dilution of Precision) 

• Design a DC-DC converter on Altium Designer with common noise rejection and reverse polarity protection 

• Assisted in thermal testing of RF trays and performed post-thermal functional and radio link tests

Research & Development 

• Designed and launched 6 dual-stage rockets targeting 80,000 ft and Mach 2.5; ran aerodynamic, structural, stability, and thermal simulations to optimize fins and booster separation/sustainer ignition timing, select high-temperature epoxy for supersonic flights; fabricated composite fins with vacuum layup and CNC router

• Led the Pioneer Program, a 2-year initiative to design and launch the first student-built rocket to the Kármán Line, overseeing system integration, project management, and technical development across propulsion, structures, and avionics

• Led 4 consecutive IPRO classes every Spring semester starting from Spring 2022, with over 50 students in each session, providing hands-on instruction in rocketry fundamentals, team-based rocket builds, and mentorship for certification projects.

Propulsion

• Designed and constructed a vertical motor test stand on Fusion360 

• Formulated custom APCP propellant formulation and mixing procedure based on the property of each chemical component

• Led a team of 10 to 2nd place (Runner-Up) at Illinois Tech Innovation Day 

Vice President

As Vice President, I lead the team in training, professional development, operations, and external outreach to ensure both technical growth and organizational success.

• Training Program: Lead the Training Program for 50+ students, teaching fundamentals of rocketry (structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics) and mentoring them through building and launching a Level 1 certification rocket as a team. 

• Certification: Mentored members in designing and building their own rockets for TRA/NAR certifications, reviewing designs, recovery systems, and tracking setups. Supervise motor loading to ensure safe launches. Mentored advanced projects (avionics bay design) and introduced new manufacturing methods to improve build quality.

• Technical Workshops & Professional Development: Coordinate general body meetings and workshops, including professional development sessions (resume reviews, networking, fellowship prep) and technical training (HAM radio, composites layup, rocketry workshops), while providing direct engineering support for underclassmen.

• Outreach & Sponsorship: Manage the team’s social media and maintain the website, securing over $6,000 in sponsorships through partnerships, and coordinate with university departments to strengthen institutional support. 

• Operations: Plan and organize all R&D launch trips, overseeing logistics, safety, and scheduling for smooth operations 

• Design mission requirements, architecture, and CONOPS as well as performing functional, cost & risk analysis and verification & validation planning to compile RFP for a manned Venusian mission with a Variable Altitude Aerobot 

• Perform thermal calculation to design thermal control system with passive (sun shield, chemical coating, Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI)) and active system using closed-loop ammonia to reject heat 

• Perform trade studies to design telecommunication systems with Ka, X band antennas, UHF software-defined radio and calculate link budget, RF path loss using RF propagation to establish real-time communication

• Investigate manufacturing process methods for new technologies and perform associated data tasks in on 3DX and oracle as well as working with factory personnel to troubleshoot old and new CNC programs 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance new processes and technologies and oversee small-scale process improvements to provide engineering support to a team of Manufacturing and Project Engineers

• Conducted research on solar sensors to automate the solar tracking process and optimize sunlight absorption

• Designed remote control system for misaligned correction via optical transmitter and detector with continuous data processing to increase sunlight reflectivity and electric generation

Project

More About Me!

Brooke Owens Fellowship 2025