Aerospace Research

Faculty and midshipmen research in the Aerospace Engineering Department covers many areas of specialization. These include research on radiation hazards in human spaceflight, shear effects on a aircraft wing in high speed flow, stress pattern analysis, heat loop pipes for spacecraft thermal control, and orbital debris characterization.

Research is supported mainly through funds from government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Naval Air Warfare Center, and the Naval Network Warfare Command.

The Aerospace Engineering Department offers students the opportunity to conduct research of mutual interest with faculty members. The research may involve theoretical, experimental, and computational work culminating in a technical paper for conference presentation. Independent research is accomplished with the Trident Scholar program and independent research study courses. The students have the opportunity to get involved in professional societies such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) by participating in national and international competitions on aeronautical/astronautical design projects. Students are also eligible for recognition in Sigma Gamma Tau, the national honor society for outstanding students in aerospace engineering.

Faculty Research

Aerospace Engineering faculty members are active in numerous research activities, and the diversity of the projects illustrate the breadth and depth of the fields of aerospace engineering. Detailed information on past faculty research can be found through the Naval Academy Research Center

Midshipmen Research

Bowman Scholar Program

Trident Scholar Program

Recent Aerospace Engineering Trident Scholars. A full abstract of the Scholar's Work and advisors can be reached by clicking on each name. Further midshipmen research information can be found through the Naval Academy Research Center

Name	Company	Year	Title
Angela M. Roush	14th	2010	Dynamic Analysis of an Optical Laser Platform
Matthew L. Roberts	14th	2010	Determination of the Error Induced by Platform Vibrations on a Directed Energy Beam
Luke P. Finney	13th	2010	An Investigation of Cavity Flow Effects on Store Separation Trajectories
Charles C. Jones	20th	2009	Analysis and Optimization of Vortex Oxidizer Injection in a Hybrid Rocket Motor System
William H. Godisken III	1st	2008	Targeting Pod Effects on Weapons Release from the F-18C Hornet
Reid W. Smythe	22nd	2007	An Examination of Acceptable Navigation Accuracy for LISA Orbits
Matthew P. Shearer	22nd	2007	Simulation and Evaluation of Marine Propeller Crashback Through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Ashley S. Myers	26th	2007	Variability and Model Adequacy in Simulations of Store-induced Limit Cycle Oscillations
Alex G. Dulude	29th	2007	An Examination of Vortex Ring Entrainment at Low Reynolds' Number
Justin L.R. Langois	21st	2006	Dynamic Computer Model of a Space Power System Consisting of Stirling Engines and Couple to a Nuclear Reactor
Michael G. Dodson	1st	2005	An Historical and Applied Aerodynamics Study of the Wright Brothers' Wind Tunnel Test Program and Application to Successful Manned Flight
Joseph F. Sweger	30th	2003	Design Specifications Development for Unmanned Aircraft Carrier Landings: A Simulation Approach
Michael Oliver	8th	2003	The Effects of Transverse Shear Deformation on Composite Wings in High Speed, Compressible Flow Regimes
Katherine E. Groenenboom	13th	2003	Analysis of Earth Atmospheric Density Using the USNA Satellite
John L. Young III	3rd	2001	Determination of Atmospheric Density in Low Earth Orbits Using GPS Data
Benjamin P. Malay	28th	2001	Celestial Navigation on the Surface of Mars
Robert M. Gallagher	2nd	2001	Radiation-induced Processing of Hydrocarbons in Environments Relevant to Pluto
Joshua R. Fibley	10th	2000	Computational Study of Wing Drop on the F/A-18E Super Hornet in the Power Approach Configuration