NASA Micro-G NExT Challenges
Shown here is the opportunity I had to explain how the device works to the NBL diver whom would later be testing my tool.
During my sophomore year at Oklahoma State University, I led a team of undergraduate engineers in NASA’s Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT) challenge. The Micro-g NExT challenges undergraduate to design, build, and test a tool under the requirements given by NASA engineers at Johnson Space Center. A proposal is submitted, and if accepted by NASA the team will continue into the final phase of the competition to build, iterate upon, and ultimately test a prototype in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL).
My responsibilities as team lead included facilitating the overall design, CAD modeling in Solidworks, 3D printing prototypes, ensuring technical and manufacturing specifications are met, andleading the testing of the device in NASA’s NBL.
In late 2022, I led a second team for the Micro-g NExT challenge to design a spacesuit cooling system for astronaut training, with a heavy focus on thermodynamics and electric engineering. Our design consisted of peltier devices, heat sinks, and a thermistor control system. Our proposal was accepted by NASA to continue into the final phase of the challenge. My time as team lead ended as I had then accepted a NASA internship at Marshall Space Flight Center.
My first time involved with the Micro-G NExT challenge, I led a team of undergraduates to design a lunar sample marker. The task was to design an easy to use sample marker for lunar EVAs that astronauts could place at areas of interest. After our initial proposal was accepted we began work, assembling ordered parts, iterating on 3D prints, and polishing the five total sample markers which were desired by NASA for testing in the NBL.
As team lead, I had the privilege of communicating directly with the diver from the NBL's control room. I instructed the diver step by step on the tool's functionality and asked questions about the quality of the tool and user experience. To read more or watch the video of the diver testing our tool, click the links below.
The second time and final time I was involved with the Micro-G NExT challenges was during my junior year at Oklahoma State University. I led a team to propose a design for a spacesuit cooling system designed for use in NBL training procedures. Prior to proposal submission, we conducted various tests with thermoelectric coolers, heat sinks, and circuit design. For this project, a strong understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and electrical engineering was required. Our proposal was accepted by NASA and the team went on to test the device in the NBL.
