top of page

WORK EXPERIENCE

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
PIA25652.png

Mars Sample Return, Returnable Sample Tube Assembly (RSTA)

The RSTA and Glove Assembly (RGA), pictured left on Mars, is the hardware state for all sample tubes deposited by the M2020 rover for return to Earth as Part of Mars Sample Return. The Glove and RSTA are secured by an internal ball lock mechanism and the RSTA is hermetically sealed by M2020. While at JPL I worked on a an small team responsible for RSTA and RGA across all of Mars Sample Return.

RGA on Mars Surface

Sample Tube Handling - Mars Surface

Screenshot 2024-02-08 224009.png

Sample Tube Ground Pickup Concept

Screenshot 2024-02-08 224101.png

Sample Tube Re-grip Concept

Sample Tube Storage Concept

Objective: Qualify RGA and RSTA for all operations needed to complete surface handling needs while protecting sample integrity at elevated load levels used in previous mission.

​

Actions:

  • Evaluated all surface handling operations for loading type, hardware state, and failure mode to proposed requirement needs and qualification plans

  • Presented requirement needs and qualification approach to JPL and ESA personnel

  • Worked with subject matter experts to prove acceptability of paper and analytic methods to buy down corrosion risk, avoiding multi-month TVAC test

  • Preformed rapid testing and worked with analysis to quantify expected maximum capability of hardware

  • Determined characterization information needs of interfacing teams

  • Designed test stand to metrology and hardware to support qualification loading of RGA and necessary performance measurements to enable acceptance

  • Created database to track interactions between updated operations, hardware requirements, and planned tests to ensure requirements encompassed operations loads and were fully proven in test
     

Results: Hardware risks were identified with forward for testing determined and implements. Risk mitigation was preformed and hardware was in creation to support qualification of mission critical hardware.

Related Media:

   

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
SHA Picture.png

Mars 2020, Sample Handling Assembly (SHA)

The Sample Handling Assembly, pictured on the left, is a 3 degree of freedom robotic arm responsible for the movement of samples to measurement and sealing stations within the rover. While at JPL I worked as a support engineering for the system for 8 months.

SHA with Sample Tube

SHA Overview (2).png

SHA Sub-assemblies

ground.png

Life Test - Ground Cycles Plan

mars.png

Life Test - Mission Cycles Plan

test overiew.png

Life Test Plan

​

Objective: Create a life test plan to simulate cycles and conditions seen by the SHA Z-Stage during ground testing and predicted mars operations.

​

Actions:

  • Analyzed all operations performed for Z-stage specific information and consolidate into a minimized number of representative hardware configurations 

  • Applied temperature and cycle information from ground testing of flight system to create efficient and representative Ground Cycles test plan

  • Consolidated expected Mars operations and likely anatomies into configuration test order to maximize efficiency while ensuring data would be comparable to benchmark testing performed on Mars

  • Presented testing plan to a dozen subject matter experts and chief engineers and incorporated feedback received

  • Identified and scheduled thermal chambers that accommodated testing hardware and timeline

  • Created time estimate of testing operations to inform life test creation and test management

  • Created handoff documentation to ensure the smooth transition of test development at the end of my co-op
     

Results: Test plan was created with accompanying documentation to allow for easy and well-informed adjustments due to late additional information

​

Life Test Plan Overview

Coravin Inc.

Concept Prototype

Picture3.jpg
Picture6.jpg

Objective: Modify existing product to accommodate inductive charging at the base of the system and transport charge to battery above separation point.

​

Actions:

  • Designed and created CAD in Creo to accommodate induction coil and support hardware

  • Created drawing and mounting hardware so existing system could be modified on CNC mill

  • Sourced part, build prototyping utilizing SLA printing, and iterated on the design
     

Results: Completed cup modification, documented design, and recorded next steps for smooth handoff to next engineer

​

CAD of Printed Part

Prototype Assembly

Shark|Ninja
pasted image 0.png

SharkNinja Hot & Cold Brew System

Ninja Hot & Cold Brew Machine

Contributions:

  • Selected top 3 "shower-head" prototypes out of 14 original component designs

  • Developed and performed testing to optimize water draining before analyzing results and suggesting modifications to machine prests to improve the final product

  • Tested initial engineering built to verify confirmation to specifications

​

bottom of page