Riccardo Calaon

As a Fulbright Fellow and a Ph.D. Candidate in Aerospace Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder, I am passionate about advancing the field of spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C). I have a strong background in aerospace engineering, with a master's degree from Università degli Studi di Padova and an exchange period at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

My research focuses on developing and validating novel GN&C algorithms for complex spacecraft with multiple moving subcomponents, such as solar arrays, antennas, and robotic arms. I use high-fidelity simulation of spacecraft dynamics, as well as MATLAB and Simulink, to design, test, and optimize these algorithms. I have contributed to several publications and presentations on this topic, and I am eager to apply my skills and knowledge to real-world space missions.

I am currently looking for a position in GN&C of space vehicles, where I can leverage my expertise and enthusiasm to achieve enhanced spacecraft autonomy.

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

GNC Engineer

• Assisted the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) GN&C Team through mission Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
• Developed guidance and control algorithms for EMA’s MBR Explorer and its articulating components (gimbaled thruster, gimbaled solar arrays)
• Conducted performance analysis of the MBR Explorer pointing requirements and momentum management

Autonomous Vehicle Systems Laboratory

Graduate Research Assistant

• Investigated path planning algorithms applied to constrained spacecraft attitude dynamics
• Contributed to the development of tools for high-fidelity spacecraft simulation in the Basilisk Astrodynamics Simulation Framework
• Investigated the solution spaces for spacecraft with overly-prescribed pointing constraints

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Graduate Research Assistant

• Interplanetary mission trajectory design
• Orbit insertion and 𝑣∞ reduction via low-thrust propulsion
• Electrodynamic tethered system for orbit insertion around Gas Giants

University of Colorado Boulder 

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

January 2021 - October 2024

Coursework

• Astrodynamics
• Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control
• Advanced Aerodynamics and Gasdynamics
• Aeronautical and Space Propulsion
• Linear and Nonlinear Control
• Mechanical and Thermal Measurements
• Aerospace Structures
• Statistical Estimation of Dyn. Systems ○ Algorithmic Motion Planning
• Decision Making Undernder Uncertainty ○ Linear and Nonlinear Control
• Statistical Orbit Determination
• Space Vehicle Guidance and Control ○ Spacecraft Formation Flying