Meet The Students of Cohort 2

David is an MEng Aerospace Engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield with a focus on high-temperature materials and manufacturing for critical propulsion applications. He completed a year in industry in R&D at Atlas Copco, supporting the development of a novel joining technology for lightweight structures through materials selection and experimental testing. His final year project, supporting Rolls-Royce research efforts, investigated the microstructural evolution of nickel-based superalloys during inertia friction welding, using metallographic preparation and SEM/EDS analysis to link processing to weld integrity.

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David’s project aims to apply this background to rocket propulsion challenges by developing and testing high-temperature, combustion-resistant alloys and their additive manufacturability for turbomachinery components.

Simonas has recently graduated with BEng in Aerospace Engineering (Space technology) from Kingston University and returned to begin his PhD shortly thereafter. During his time as an undergrad, he played a key role in Kingston University Rocket Engineering (KURE) society, progressing from team member in competitions to society President.

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Simonas project focuses on conducting plume diagnostic studies and developing a wall-less Hall effect thruster capable of operating with alternative propellants used in conventional chemical rocket propulsion, for upper-stage applications. Alongside validating of the in-house PERSEUS particle-in-cell simulation code.

Tyler Hurt was born and raised in Georgia, USA. He began his career in custom fabrication, working with a wide range of manufacturing and prototyping techniques. During this period, he became a private helicopter pilot and later joined the United States Marine Corps as a helicopter crew chief. After leaving the military, he earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While completing his studies, he undertook multiple internships that culminated in a cooperative placement at NASA. He was subsequently hired as a NASA civil servant within the Launch Services Program, working as a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls engineer. Following his time at NASA, he focused on rapid prototyping of IoT systems and serverless architectures. He then went on to teach middle and high school students mechatronics through NASA’s TechRise Challenge. He later transitioned to working as a test controls and mechatronics engineer, developing custom motor controls, instrumentation, and automated test rigs for electric propulsion systems.

 

While attending Cranfield University, Tyler’s PhD research will focus on electric rocket propulsion in collaboration with the UK-based startup Magdrive as part of the R2T2 program.

Eden graduated from the University of Surrey with a BSc in Chemistry, being awarded the Downland section prize for his work on aqueous sodium-ion batteries.

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He is keen to transfer his expertise in electrochemistry and passion for hands on work to the expansive field of in-space propulsion while working alongside supervisors Dr Andrea Lucca Fabris and Dr Bahman Amini Horri.

Peter graduated from The University of Strathclyde with a BEng in Aero-mechanical Engineering, before going on to work in product development in the German automotive industry. 

 

Although he has always had a fascination with space exploration, it was his recent MSc in Space Science and Technology with the Open University that inspired him to pursue a career in the space launch industry. A highlander of Skye and Kintyre family, he looks forward to contributing to the launch of a space industry in rural Scotland.

Nathanael graduated from QMUL and progressed his studies further at Cranfield University in aerospace dynamics. Since then, he has undertaken several research projects at Cranfield with industrial partners both at home with BAE, RR and Airbus as well as abroad with NASA and Boeing.

 

Nathanael looks forward to returning to high-speed flows and developing experiments, software and an understanding that will help push this field forward.

Madi first studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield where she developed her interest in liquid rocket propulsion.

 

She worked on feed systems in Project Sunride and in her final year developed a centrifugal pump for rocketry applications.

 

Her work within R2T2 aims to expand on this interest in turbomachinery.