Preeti Nair
Summary
M.S. student in Space Studies with experience as a research assistant in a space propulsion lab. Combines mechanical engineering expertise with advanced research to drive innovation in space travel. Proficient in CAD modeling and research strategy development, with a strong commitment to collaborative projects in space exploration. Demonstrates a solid academic background and a resourceful approach to problem-solving.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
University of North Dakota
08.2023 - Current
- Currently working on developing the on-orbit fueling system for satellites.
- Developed Ablative Pulsed Plasma Propulsion thrusters, and conducted thrust measurement.
- Contributed to horizontal ground testing of an indigenously built rocket.
- Maintained the laboratory 3D printer to ensure operational efficiency.
- Participated in weekly meetings to discuss research progress and findings.
- Assisted in the development of a national research grant proposal.
Product Design Intern
Mechathon Engineering Private Ltd.
07.2021 - 09.2021
- Designed a high pressure, positive displacement HEXAPLEX pump, a six plunger pump capable of hours of operation and can withstand high temperature conditions.
- Implementation of 3D modelling, 2D drafting which included GD&T, Fits and other drafting standards.
- Using IBM services like Watson Discovery, Node-Red, Watson Discovery to create a smarter customer chatbot.
- Worked with three new platforms which are Slack, ZohoWriter and GitHub.
Internship Trainee
Indian Railways [Central branch]
12.2019 - 01.2020
- Acquired knowledge of diesel locomotives.
- Received foundational training on CNC machines to enhance technical proficiency.
- Engaged with senior engineers, absorbing valuable industry insights.
Education
Master of Science - Space Studies
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND12-2025
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical
University of Mumbai
01.2021
Skills
- SolidWorks
- Fusion 360
- PTC Creo
- OnShape
- 3D Printing
- Machining
- Technical writing
- Research presentation
- Research and analysis
- Engineering drafting
- Microsoft Office
- Matlab
- Effective time management
Projects
- Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thrusters; Designed and developed electric thrusters using ablative pulsed plasma propulsion, with Teflon as propellant. Successfully conducted open-air preliminary test, with demonstrative results, 01/01/2024 - Present
- Bone Bank, Developed System architecture and Life cycle design, successfully reconstructed 3D model from patient medical scans, 08/01/2024 - 12/2024
- Enhanced Customer Carebot; Created a smart customer care bot using IBM services with machine learning to enhance its functionality, 05/01/2020 - 06/30/2020
- Crop Monitoring Drone; Designed a crop monitoring drone with NDVI technology as a part of final year engineering project, 08/01/2020 - 06/30/2021
Certification
- Research writing training, 03/01/2023, from AstroLab
- Solidworks 2019 Essential training, 02/01/2021, from LinkedIn
- Geo-computation & Geo-web service, 12/01/2022, from Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO
- Rocket Propulsion, 06/01/2020, from NPTEL; Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
- Fluid Mechanics, 09/01/19, from NPTEL; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- Autodesk AutoCAD certification, 06/01/19, from LinkedIn
Languages
English
Full Professional
Hindi
Native/ Bilingual
Malayalam
Native/ Bilingual
Affiliations
- Selected as one of the participants for Small-Sat Mission Design School 2025, organized by Cornell University, Ithaca. Worked as the propulsion engineer on the project on compositional regolith study of Uranus's moon, Ariel via mass spectrometry probe using particle impact methodology using a small satellite.
- Presented the research on Nuclear Fusion based space propulsion, enhanced with AI control system at Nuclear Emerging Technologies for Space [NETS 2025] conference, hosted by the American Nuclear Society.
- Selected for 15th International School/Symposium for Space Simulations (ISSS-15) and the 16th International Workshop on the Interrelationship between Plasma Experiments in the Laboratory and in Space (IPELS-16), hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching/Munich, Germany.
Accomplishments
- Currently working on a journal paper for a project on compositional regolith study of Uranus's moon, Ariel via mass spectrometry probe using particle impact methodology using a small satellite.
- Successfully conducted open-air preliminary test, with demonstrative results of indigenously built Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thruster.
- Co-authored a paper titled, "Nuclear powered rockets: Legal issues and perspectives".
- Received two scholarships during master's degree at University of North Dakota.
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
University of North Dakota
08.2023 - Current
Product Design Intern
Mechathon Engineering Private Ltd.
07.2021 - 09.2021
Internship Trainee
Indian Railways [Central branch]
12.2019 - 01.2020
Master of Science - Space Studies
University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical
University of Mumbai
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