Abstract
Space has often been described as the next frontier of human exploration, yet both advancing propulsion systems and maintaining a sustainable orbital environment have become critical challenges for aerospace engineers. My capstone project, Test Facility Design for Detonation Characterization Through Curved Rectangular Channels, focused on developing a compact and modular rotating detonation engine (RDE) test facility to study how detonation waves propagate through curved geometries. The project was undertaken because rotating detonation rocket engines offer the potential for greater propulsion efficiency and lower fuel consumption than conventional rocket engines, making them promising for future space missions. My STS research paper, Active Space Debris Removal, examined why active debris removal technologies have failed to progress despite decades of technical development. This research was motivated by the growing congestion of Earth’s orbital environment and the increasing dependence of modern society on satellite infrastructure. Although these projects focus on different aerospace issues, they are connected through the broader challenge of ensuring the future sustainability of space activity. Together, they demonstrate that aerospace engineering problems are shaped not only by technical innovation, but also by political, legal, and societal constraints.
The capstone project aimed to contribute toward the advancement of rotating detonation rocket engine research by designing a low cost and accessible experimental detonation test facility. Current RDE research is often limited by the cost and complexity of experimental infrastructure, making it difficult for smaller laboratories and universities to contribute to the field. To address this issue, the project designed a modular facility capable of safely and repeatedly generating detonations through curved rectangular channels analogous to the annular geometry present in rotating detonation engines. The facility consisted of three primary subsystems: the gas and ignition subsystem, the main test structure, and the diagnostics subsystem. Ethylene, oxygen, and nitrogen mixtures were used to produce detonations, while nitrogen dilution allowed the team to safely reduce detonation intensity. The project utilized thermochemical modeling through Shock and Detonation Toolbox calculations, structural simulations in ANSYS Mechanical, and experimental diagnostic methods such as soot foils and photodiode-laser systems to characterize detonation wave behavior.
The project ultimately concluded that the proposed test facility design was capable of safely withstanding the expected thermal and structural loading conditions generated during detonation experiments. Simulations demonstrated that both the aluminum and polycarbonate components maintained acceptable factors of safety under conservative loading assumptions, while thermal calculations showed minimal wall temperature rise during testing. Additionally, the diagnostic systems were designed to successfully measure detonation wave velocity, flame shock coupling, and cell size evolution through curved geometries. The project also concluded that modular and low cost experimental systems could help reduce barriers to entry for rotating detonation engine research, allowing universities and smaller research institutions to contribute to advancements in propulsion technology. Beyond the technical findings, the project emphasized the importance of safe engineering practices, remote operation procedures, and ethical considerations associated with dual use propulsion technologies.
My STS research paper focused on the question of why active space debris removal technologies have made so little progress despite the growing environmental threat posed by orbital debris accumulation. The significance of this research stems from the increasing congestion of Low Earth Orbit and the critical role satellites play in economic stability and global infrastructure. Rather than treating space debris solely as a technical challenge, the paper argued that the barriers to active debris removal is primarily caused by sociotechnical issues, such as dual use security concerns, legal ambiguity surrounding satellite ownership, and the lack of an enforceable international governance framework. To investigate this issue, the paper utilized qualitative analysis of academic literature, international policy documents, technical reports, and legal frameworks. Additionally, the research applied sociotechnical theories including Actor-Network Theory, interpretive flexibility, and technological momentum to analyze how different actors interpret and govern debris removal technologies.
The research concluded that the primary barriers preventing active debris removal are not technical limitations, but political and institutional constraints that shape how debris mitigation technologies are interpreted and regulated. One major finding was that debris removal systems are often perceived as potential anti-satellite weapons because many proposed technologies, such as robotic grapplers and lasers, have the potential for dual use military applications. The paper also found that international space law creates legal uncertainty as states retain indefinite ownership over their satellites, making debris removal legally ambiguous. Finally, the research demonstrated that fragmented governance structures and weak enforcement mechanisms incentivize debris tracking rather than physical removal. Through the application of sociotechnical frameworks, the paper argued that solving the space debris crisis will require institutional cooperation, updated legal frameworks, and stronger international governance in addition to technical innovation. Ultimately, the research emphasized that the long term sustainability of space depends on aligning engineering capabilities with political and societal systems capable of supporting their implementation.
Notes
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Technical Advisor: Chloe Dedic
STS Advisor: Pedro Francisco
Technical Team Members: Connor Green, Alvin Kim, Irion Thompson, Josiah Martin, Brandon Dawson, Albert Castellon-Prado, Frederic Ramirez-Melenciano, Derek Liu, Tyler Verry, Spence Hartman, Jonathan Wang, Saif Rahman, Tyler Fisher, Ryan Malatesta
