Projects

Sierra Space · Reusable orbital spacecraft

Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser is Sierra Space's reusable spaceplane for cargo missions to the International Space Station. Our team has worked on it from structural design through integrated testing.

Through CES

Test direction at NASA facilities for thermal vacuum, system leak, and power-on testing
Led a team of test engineers through functional and workmanship testing of the cargo module before shipment
Berthing mechanism leak testing during joint NASA testing
Dozens of electrical and electronic test procedures for in-process verification and startup
Thermal engineering support, ongoing

Earlier, on staff at Sierra Space and Sierra Nevada

Cargo module primary and secondary structure design (Ross Cohlmia, Loren McDaniel)
Vehicle-level technical baseline and space station interfaces as integration lead (Ross Cohlmia)
Integrated vehicle test and ISS crew training (Alex Wassenberg)

Ross Cohlmia in front of Dream Chaser in its hangar — Ross Cohlmia with Dream Chaser

Load stabilization systems

Vita Inclinata

Vita Inclinata builds systems that stabilize loads hanging from helicopter hoists and cranes.

Redesigned structures and seals to pass IP68 environmental qualification
Designed in-process test methods for the production lines
Supported ASME compliance for above-the-hook lifting devices
Helped secure airworthiness certification
Helped scale production tenfold

Vita Inclinata load stabilization system on a rescue litter at a helicopter door — Vita Inclinata system and team

Vita Inclinata team in front of a Black Hawk helicopter — Vita Inclinata system and team

NASA · High-altitude research aircraft

NASA WB-57

NASA flies the WB-57 on high-altitude science missions.

Propulsion architecture trade study for a major system upgrade, comparing performance, cost, and structural integration risk
Allocated requirements for the upgrade, balancing aerodynamic performance with the limits of a legacy airframe