Hermann Kaptui Sipowa, Ph.D.
Cambridge,MA
Summary
Experienced GNC and autonomy engineer with a strong background in engineering principles and project management. Demonstrates a history of successful project leadership, emphasizing the delivery of advanced engineering solutions through both conventional and innovative methods. Skilled in problem-solving and promoting collaboration within cross-functional teams.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior System Engineer, Navigation Analyst
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
05.2022 - Current
- Develop a six-degrees of freedom (6DoF - three rotational and three translational dynamics) guidance algorithm to append different motion profiles to pre-existing design reference mission (DRMs) trajectories, allowing the use of existing to fly data and assess the performance of the navigation filter to different mission scenarios
- Develop a reinforcement learning algorithm to enable online selection optimization of measurement sequences (for celestial navigation) to reduce state estimate uncertainty and meet user-defined mission requirements.
- Develop an inverse covariance analysis tool to optimally determine the suit of sensors required to meet a mission performance, minimizing additional constraints such as sensors' cost or availability
- Develop an Astrodynamics-informed statistical tool that uses ground observation data to detect abrupt changes in spacecraft trajectories and infer maneuver intent
- Jointly write research proposals with university professors to foster research collaboration, maintain Draper's innovative edge, and cultivate Draper's relationship with academia
Graduate Research Assistant
Orbital Research Cluster for Celestial Applications(ORCCA)
08.2017 - 04.2022
- Developed a 6DoFs guidance navigation and control (GNC) algorithms to enable the safe maneuvering of distributed spacecraft architecture
- Enable a multi-agent cooperative framework for fuel-free (using differential drag and solar radiation pressure) for spacecraft formation flying, in-space assembly, and debris removal
- This research has helped support multiple NASA and DARPA grants
Ph.D. Graduate Research Intern
The Aerospace Corporation
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Developed a distributed navigation algorithm fo navigation in GPS-deprived environments using consensus and conduct an observability analysis to determine configurations in which a target can not be fully acquired
- Developed a simulation framework for target acquisition using differential doppler from radar measurements
Graduate Research Intern
Air Force Research Laboratory
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Developed an 6DoFs inverse kinematic solver to determine the position of an end-effector attached to a robotic arm floating on a frictionless air table
- Used the inverse kinematic tool to analyze the motion of a free-floating servicing spacecraft caused by the momentum transfer between an actuated arm and the free-floating spacecraft bus
Undergraduate Research Intern
NASA Langley Research Center
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Used CAD design to develop different concepts for the packaging and deployment of complex truss structures used in space
- 3D-printed different prototypes to demonstrate the folding mechanism and analyze the packaging capabilities of the proposed design
Education
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO01.2022
B.S. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Technology Entrepreneurship
University of Maryland
College Park, MD01.2017
A.S. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Mathematics, Technology Entrepreneurship
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD01.2015
Skills
MatLab; C/C; Python; Git/Gitlab; Flight Software
Personal Information
Title: Sr. System Engineer | Software Autonomy & GNC| Draper
Awardsandscholarships
- John V. Breakwell Student Award Recipient, 08/2021
- 6th Annual Smead Aerospace Researchpalooza Winner, 02/2020
- Boulder GEM Consortium Fellow, 05/2019
- President Scholarship recipient, Every semester
- Clark Foundation Scholar, 07/2015 - 05/2017
- McNair Scholar, 05/2016 - 05/2017
- Society of Satellite Professionals International Scholarships recipient, 03/2017
- 2nd place at NASA BIG Ideas Design Competition, 02/2017
- Dean's List, Every semester
- Math excellence awards, 05/2015
- Dr. Harry Harden Jr. Student Academic Excellence Awards, 2013 & 2014
- 2nd place in the Prince Georges Community College Math competition, 03/2014
Languages
English
French
Timeline
Senior System Engineer, Navigation Analyst
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
05.2022 - Current
Ph.D. Graduate Research Intern
The Aerospace Corporation
05.2019 - 08.2019
Graduate Research Intern
Air Force Research Laboratory
06.2018 - 08.2018
Graduate Research Assistant
Orbital Research Cluster for Celestial Applications(ORCCA)
08.2017 - 04.2022
Undergraduate Research Intern
NASA Langley Research Center
05.2017 - 08.2017
B.S. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Technology Entrepreneurship
University of Maryland
A.S. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Mathematics, Technology Entrepreneurship
Montgomery College
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering Sciences
University of Colorado Boulder
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