CURRICULUM VITAE
Nicholas E. Bradley
Graduate student The University of Texas at Austin
****.*******@******.***
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
Ph.D.: Aerospace Engineering: Orbital Mechanics (Aug 2010 present)
Dr. Cesar Ocampo advisor
Passed written qualifying exams: Jun 2011
Passed oral qualifying exams: Dec 2011
Expected graduation: May 2014
University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, CO)
Combined B.S./M.S. (Aug 2005May 2010)
B.S.: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, magna cum laude
M.S.: Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Astrodynamics & Satellite Navigation
Minors: Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, Applied Mathematics
RESEARCH AND DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Mission Design and Trajectory Optimization Dr. Cesar Ocampo (UT-Austin)
Aug 2010 present
Researching three-dimensional earth-return orbits in the circular restricted three-body
model (CRTBM). Applying CRTBM
and various optimization methods (numerical gradient, state transition matrix analytica l
gradient, genetic and swarm
optimization) to trajectories to near-earth asteroids to support human and robotic
missions.
Autonomous Vehicle Systems Laboratory Dr. Hanspeter Schaub (CU-Boulder)
Aug 2009May 2010
Development of interfaces to existing atmospheric models to obtain information related to
spacecraft charging in low earth
orbit and geosynchronous orbit, and research of variations in plasma field conditions as
related to Debye shielding in
charged spacecraft formation flying.
Active Remote SENsing Laboratory (ARSENL) Dr. Jeff Thayer (CU-Boulder)
May 2007May 2009
Design and construction of a lidar observatory and receiver system along with Matlab data
analysis code for investigation
into temperature and density models in the stratosphere and mesosphere. Performance of
stability analysis of a large
Newtonian telescope lidar receiver using encoder hardware and LabView software.
Re-deployable Multi-rover System (ReMuS) Senior Design Project (CU-Boulder)
May 2008May 2009
Senior design project supported by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to design and build a
robot -deploying rover system.
Roles included CFO, Ground Station team lead, Motion and Mechanism Control team member,
Guidance team lead, and
Navigation team member.
Colorado Space Grant Consortium (CU-Boulder)
Sep 2005May 2007
DANDE nanosatellite Science Instrumentation Engineer (Jan 2007May 2007)
Design and management of a full-scale satellite pressure gauge subsystem
? RocketSat
Project Manager (Dec 2005Jan 2007)
Management of two generations of a sounding rocket program to gather high -altitude
scientific data
? Citizen Explorer satellite
Mission Operations Engineer (Sep 2005Dec 2005)
Assistance with mission operations of a full -scale satellite
PUBLICATIONS
Greenland Lidar Depolarization Measurement Technique for Polar Mesospheric Cloud
Detection
International Laser Radar Conference, Mar 2008. M. Hayman, J. Thayer, et. al.
Contributed to lidar analysis code used in assessing light depolarization of polar
mesospheric clouds
PROFESSIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant (Austin, TX)
Aug 2011May 2012
ASE 366K: Spacecraft Dynamics
ASE 366L: Applied Orbital Mechanics
ASE 374L: Mission Design
SpaceNav (Boulder, CO)
Jun 2012Present
Working with a small aerospace startup company to provide expertise in space situational
awareness, initial orbit
determination, and space object identification strategies. Working with Matlab to
incorporate applied mathematical
concepts into advanced orbit analysis tools
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA)
Jun 2011Aug 2011
Worked as an orbit determination engineering intern for the Dawn mission to the main -
belt asteroid Vesta. Supported
orbit determination and navigation operations upon approach and entry into spacecraft
survey phase. Wrote Python scripts
to interface with the MONTE software package in processes related to Kalman filtering,
non-Keplerian orbits, and
gravitational spherical harmonics.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. (Boulder, CO)
Jun 2010Aug 2010
Worked with a team of system engineers on the NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project), and
completed significant attitude
determination and control (ADCS) work and documentation for the spacecraft related to de -
orbit procedures and satellite
requirement verification
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA)
Jun 2009Aug 2009
Independent mission operations architecture analysis and verification for the Orion to
ISS Mission Class of the
Constellation program, and ground software functionality asses sment for the Cassini
mission
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. (Boulder, CO)
Jun 2008Aug 2008
Worked with a team of systems engineers on the NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project) and
WorldView II satellite programs
for a summer internship, producing trade studies, system engineering reports, and other
supporting documentation.
University of ColoradoAerospace Engineering Department (Boulder, CO)
Aug 2007Dec 2007
Course and grading assistant for sophomore level thermodynamics and aerodynamics
VOLUNTEER AND OTHER EXPERIENCE
Math Classroom Coaching (
Austin, TX)
Sep 2011present
Assisting with math tutoring and student mentoring for middle school students through
Austin Partners in Education
Overseas Mission Work (Varadero, Cuba and Heredia, Costa Rica
)
Dec 2008Jan 2009, Dec 2009Jan 2010
Served with First Presbyterian Church in Boulder on short -term mission trips. Worked
with Cuban Connection Ministries
(Cuba) and Pura Vida Missions (Costa Rica). Assisted in farm work, construction,
ministry, and outreach activities.
AVLC Assistant (Austin, TX)
Oct 2010present
Assisting with sound and audio/video technology for worship services at the Austin Stone
Community Church
Engineering Fellows (
CU-Boulder)
Aug 2007May 2010
Assisting sophomore and junior aerospace students in exam preparation as supplementary
course material, leading study
sessions, and assisting individual students with coursework
Aerospace Coursework Tutor (CU-Boulder)
Jan 2007May 2010
Tutoring and assisting fellow aerospace engineers in coursework ranging from calculus to
aerodynamics through the Sigma
Gamma Tau aerospace engineering honor society
North/Annex Setup
Crew and AV AssistantFirst Presbyterian Church (Boulder, CO)
Sep 2007Jul 2010
Setup and tear-down and assistance with sound and lights for two worship services at
First Presbyterian Church on Sunday
afternoons and Tuesday evenings
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
The University of Texas at Austin
Optimal Spacecraft Trajectories; Statistical Estimation Theory; Advanced Dynamics;
Celestial Mechanics; Satellite Geodesy;
Optimal Control Theory; Nonlinear Dynamics; Numerical Analysis: Algebra and Approximation
University of Colorado at Boulder
Statistical Orbit Determination; Interplanetary Mission Design; Attitude Determination
and Control;
Orbital Mechanics and Attitude Dynamics & Control; Spaceflight Dynamics; Spacecraft
Design;
Linear Control Systems; Aerospace Electronics; Aerospace Materials; Foundations of
Propulsion; Fourier Analysis;
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer; Numerical Analysis; Vehicle Design and Performance;
Dynamics and Systems;
Statics, Structures, and Materials; Aerospace Structures; Complex Variables and
Applications; Gateway to Space;
Cosmology and Relativity; Observational Spectroscopy; Planets and their Atmospheres;
Planets, Moons, and Rings
HONORS AND AWARDS
Graduate School Recruitment Fellowship (UT -Austin)
Aug 2010 May 2012
$15,000/year Fellowship guaranteed for two years
Cockrell School of Engineering Fellowship (UT-Austin)
Aug 2010 present
$9,000/year Fellowship guaranteed for three years
Warren A. and Alice L. Meyer Departmental Scholarship (UT -Austin)
Aug 2010 May 2012
$1,200/year scholarship
Active Learning Award Recipient (CU-Boulder)
Apr 2009
College of Engineering Dean s List (CU-Boulder)
Dec 2005 May 2010
Engineering Merit Scholarship Recipient (CU -Boulder)
Aug 2005 May 2009
$4,000/year scholarship for four years
Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Recipient (CU -Boulder)
Aug 2008 May 2009
Alumni Association Scholarship (CU-Boulder)
Aug 2005 May 2006
$1,500 one-time scholarship
MEMBERSHIPS
Member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
Mar 2007 present
Recording Secretary and Publicity Officer (CU -Boulder, May 2007 May 2009)
Member of the Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Engineering Honor Society
May 2006 present
Vice President (CU-Boulder, Apr 2008 May 2009)
Member of the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society
Apr 2012 present