Bernard Silver

Capture the Satelite Challenge

• Engineered a first-place solution to autonomously capture a non-cooperative satellite, outperforming the runner-up by a factor of 83x.
• Developed a hybrid control architecture utilizing Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Clohessy-Wiltshire (CW) equations for precise relative orbital maneuvering.
• Trained a Reinforcement Learning (RL) agent to navigate adversarial environments, successfully evading a "guard" satellite to become the only team to complete the capture mission.

Mars Autonomous Exploration Research (In Progress)

• Investigating the integration of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) and Gaussian Splatting for high-fidelity 3D terrain reconstruction in Martian environments.
• Proposing a multi-agent coordination model where aerial scouts provide "look-ahead" geometry to ground assets to optimize path planning and increase rover autonomy.

• Plumbob
• Icarus Sounding Rocket Program (ISRP) August 2023 – May 2025
• Designed and modeled structural and subsystem components for Plumbob, ISRP’s flagship space shot rocket in Autodesk inventor.
• Wrote standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the assembly and use of testing hardware to ensure the safety and repeatability of procedures.
• Public Relations Team Lead
• Icarus Sounding Rocket Program (ISRP) August 2023 – May 2024
• Developed a unified branding framework for all Icarus materials, including websites, social media and outreach content.
• Collaborated with engineering sub teams to translate complex technical work into clear, accessible content for public and sponsor audiences.