Researchers in this area study satellite systems design (including the use of Machine Learning tools in their design), space “weather” in the ionosphere, solar geo-engineering, space-system design, cubesats, optical and radar satellites for remote sensing, and methods and tools for the detection of extrasolar planets.
Faculty
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![Dmitry Savransky]()
Dmitry Savransky
Associate Director of Graduate Affairs and DGS for Aerospace Engineering Associate Professor
Testing Innovative Spacecraft Design
Mason Peck: I teach aerospace engineering and conduct research at Cornell University. We have a pretty large team, sometimes nearly 100 people and sometimes just a few, depending on the project.
In my lab, we start with a theory and mature that through testing, analysis and modeling, to the point where we can try it in space. Over the years, we have designed, built and launched spacecraft to figure out if our theories are right.
For example, we launched a pair of spacecraft to demonstrate how one spacecraft can dock with another using only electromagnetism — something that had never really been tried. It didn’t work out perfectly, but we learned a lot in the process. This is what happens in high-risk research: You shoot for the moon; sometimes you get there, sometimes you don’t.
