Project Title: “Advanced Interlocking Structural Frames for Rapid Construction and Assembly (FRAMES)”

Group Members: 

Kirsten Peterson is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Ethan Rocheville is a Senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Mentor: Dr. Joseph Brown, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering – UH Mānoa 

The group will explore the use of interlocking frames as a cost-efficient and sustainable solution for building infrastructure in deep space exploration, particularly on the Moon and Mars. These frames can be easily manufactured, assembled without additional hardware or adhesives, and reused for future projects. This aligns with NASA’s objective to improve infrastructure efforts and support deep space exploration. Interlocking frames offer a practical approach to developing lightweight, adaptable structures that are crucial for establishing infrastructure in space environments.

Project Title: Gamma Neutron Energy Space Exploration Spectrometer (GNESES)

Gianna Longo – Junior, Astronomy

Kate Macaulay – Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace Concentration

Alexander Peterson – Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Dr. Peter Englert, Professor, HIGP – UHM

“Gamma Neutron Energy Space Exploration Spectrometer (GNESES)” is an innovative proposal that integrates neutron and gamma-ray detection for planetary exploration in a small volume array. Crafted in alignment with the NASA 2023-2032 decadal survey objectives, GNESES is designed to address critical goals such as determining planetary elemental composition, identifying water, and ultimately assessing the habitability potential of Mars and the Moon.

Group Members

Nikola Mazzarella – Junior, Physics

Jennai Dreger – Senior, Environmental Earth Science

Casper macDhomhnail-RNHVTSH 

Mentor: Dr. Peter Englert, Professor, HIGP – UHM

The “Variability in Atmosphere due to Solar Energetic Events Study” (VIA-SEEs) is a CubeSat mission that intends to act as a joint science and technology mission. The continuing project is student-led under the support of the Earth and Planetary Exploration Technologies (EPET) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The VIA detector development activities include the development of a spectrometer testbed, generating spectral reference data, and preparing scientific data acquisition from Low Earth Orbit. The team is able to study Solar Energetic Electrons, Nitrous Oxide, and Ozone concentration concurrently and after a solar event in order to study the degradation effects on our atmosphere.

Project Title: “Exploring Global Cooperation in the Age of Artemis” 

Mentor: Dr. Peter Englert, Professor, HIGP – UH Mānoa 

Albany Coate is a senior majoring in Political Science, American Studies with a focus on German Studies. 

Albany will explore NASA’s leadership in international space diplomacy, focusing on the development of global norms for a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment. Her project evaluates the effectiveness of space law documents and agreements to foster international collaboration and sustainable practices in space exploration. The project highlights the importance of integrating diverse perspectives and supporting emerging space nations to enhance global cooperation and scientific advancement.

Project Title: “Searching for Exoplanets Using TimeDelays with TESS” 

Mentor: Dr. Daniel Hey, Variable Stars Postdoctoral Fellow, IfA – UH Mānoa 

Kiana Ejercito is a senior majoring in Astrophysics with a focus in Education. 

Kiana will study a novel method for detecting exoplanets by analyzing the pulsations of δ Scuti stars, which are A-F type variables known for their stable pulsations. By measuring time delays in these pulsations, researchers can infer the presence of orbiting exoplanets. Utilizing data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the project examines 73 δ Scuti stars to enhance the understanding of planetary systems around A-type stars. This approach not only broadens the scope of exoplanet detection but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the diversity and distribution of planetary systems in the galaxy.

Project Title: “Creating an infrared Database of NuLANDS Galaxies for Moedling of AGN”

Mentor: Duncan Farrah

Stephen Wagner is a sophomore majoring in Astrophysics. 

Stephenʻs research aims to understand how galaxies evolve by studying Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), which are galaxies with rapidly accreting black holes at their center. AGN are valuable for exploring the relationship between black hole growth and other galaxy properties, like star formation rates. The study will focus on the NuLANDS sample, which includes 122 AGN galaxies with known X-ray emission properties. By modeling these galaxies, the research seeks to uncover how black hole accretion and star formation are linked, contributing to our broader understanding of galaxy diversity and formation. The work aligns with NASA’s goal to expand scientific knowledge.

Project King: “Uncovering Properties of Planet-Hosting Stars Across the Milky Way Galaxy”

Mentor: Dr. Winston Wu, Assistant Professor, Computer Science – UHH

Angela Claibourn is a Sophomore majoring in Astronomy and Physics. Her research is on “Uncovering Properties of Planet-Hosting Stars Across the Milky Way Galaxy” which is focused on the question: ʻAre planet formation still suppressed around close binary stars and metal-poor stars throughout our galaxy?ʻ The project is to answer this research question in a multi-faceted big data project that will expand our knowledge of stars and the conditions for exoplanet formation. It has three concrete research thrusts: crossmatching and analysis of two large star catalogs, machine learning to predict stellar properties, and the development of a web interface to share research findings.

Project Title: Determining the Structure and Mass Distribution of the Laniakea Supercluster using Type Ia Supernovae

Mentor: Dr. David Jones, Faculty, Institute for Astronomy – UHH

Atlas Syncatto is a Sophmore majoring in Astronomy & Philosophy and minoring at Physics. Her research proposal discusses the topic on “Determining the Structure and Mass Distribution of the Laniakea Supercluster using Type Ia Supernovae.” The project is to derive an understanding of the structure and mass distribution of the Laniakea Supercluster which will give us insight into other large structures throughout the universe. It may also tell us more about the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model, including how dark energy and cold dark matter influence baryonic matter and form structures like Laniakea.

Project Title: “Mapping the Diffuse Ionized Gas in Nearby Galaxies”

Mentor: Rene Pierre Martin, Assoc. Professor, College of Natural and Health Sciences – UH Hilo

Chloe Tysler is a Junior majoring in astronomy with a focus on Biology. 

Chloe will focus on understanding galaxy evolution, particularly star formation and chemical enrichment, which are key to galaxy properties and the presence of planets. The project will utilize ground-based and space observatories like HST, JWST, and Euclid to investigate galaxies across the universe to study their structure, star formation, and black hole activity. A major project called SIGNALS (Star Formation, Ionized Gas, and Nebular Abundances Legacy Survey) examines 30 nearby galaxies using data from the SITELLE instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.

Group Members from 2nd to 5th:

Teal Hoffman – Natural Science Engineering
Shelby Dixon – Computer Engineering
Alexander Anderson – Mechanical Engineering
Arden Patoc – Natural Science Engineering

Mentors: Dr. Shidong Kan, Ms. Helen Rapozo, and Mr. Mevan Ranasinghe – HCC

Project Title: First Nation’s Launch 2025

First Nations Launch 2025 is an annual high-power rocket competition organized by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and sponsored by NASA. The competition provides a unique opportunity for students to design, build, and launch high-powered rockets. It aims to foster engineering and design skills through hands-on experience.

Group Members:
Akira Allen – Mechanical Engineering

Mason Joyner  – Astrophysics

Alexander Shultis – Astrophysics

Project Title: Zero Gravity Galileo (Ze-Ga)