Astroport Space Technologies

ENGINEERING LAB INTERN | Space Construction Company

I contributed to the development of a lunar landing/launch pad technology demonstrator under NASA's SBIR contract. My role encompassed researching induction-heated lunar regolith simulant properties for optimal construction. I investigated glass-ceramic materials' transformation behavior during crystallization, devising experimental methods to enhance product quality through melting, sintering, and annealing. I overcame challenges in electromagnetic induction by refining coil geometry and crucible thickness, resulting in improved heat distribution. My efforts culminated in bricks exhibiting superior strength to NASA Kennedy Space Center's launch pad concrete, highlighted in a first-author publication at the Texas Area Planetary Science conference organized by the Lunar and Planetary Institute.