Po-Hao Adam Huang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and his former graduate student, Kyle Godin, have received awards from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for their research on satellite propulsion. Huang was awarded the Abe M. Zarem Educator Award and Godin received the Abe M. Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Godin’s project focused on developing a solid state gas generator, using micro- and nano-scale fabrication principles, that can orient small satellites, known as nano satellites. This tiny device uses a localized heat source to release small bursts of nitrogen gas, which then provides the agile attitude control needed during orbital maneuvers.