Team

ESI's team is comprised of hard working, talented and skilled students and young professionals. They are lead by a management team including several entrepreneurial space leaders and are advised by some of the best engineers and professors in the space industry.   

Management Team

Ruben Nunez - President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Ruben Nunez is an Aerospace Engineer from the University of Central Florida class of 2011. He founded Earthrise Space, Inc. in 2007 with the purpose of providing students with experience in STEM related activities, building spacecraft and spacecraft systems. Ruben has experience managing, designing, and implementing research related to space technology. Projects involving this type of work were executed during his early years of college through the Florida Space Academy Program and the Steven Hawking Microgravity Education and Research Center. Ruben also has experience implementing science grants that involve training teachers in lesson study and inquiry based learning activities while integrating technology.

In October of 2010, Ruben had lead Earthrise Space, Inc. to obtain an Innovative Lunar Demonstrations Data Contract (ILDD) with the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). The ILDD acquisition involves the delivery of data associated with the design and demonstration of an end-to-end lunar landing mission including: hardware design, development and testing; ground operations and integration; launch, trajectory correction maneuvers, and lunar braking burn; lunar landing; and other enhanced capabilities.

Joseph E. Palaia, IV - Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Joseph Palaia is an entrepreneur, engineer and technologist whose personal mission is to create the first permanent settlement on Mars, and to pursue development in the inner solar system. He serves as ESI's Chief Operating Officer, overseeing daily operations at ESI's Orlando headquarters facility. In 2009, he served as executive officer and chief engineer for a one-month simulated Mars mission at the Mars Society's Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island in the Canadian arctic. While there, he became the first person in history to launch and operate an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while wearing a simulated spacesuit. He also deployed a prototype lunar rover provided by ESI. Joseph holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a M.S. degree in Nuclear Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has played an integral role in two commercial design studies of the first permanent Mars settlement. He is co-author of technical papers on the topics of Mars nuclear power plant design, Mars settlement architecture, space economics and the economics of energy on Mars.  He is an Eagle Scout, received the 2005 Peter Diamandis Leadership Award and received the 2007 Young Professionals Entrepreneurship Prize from the Luigi Gerardo Napolitano Society. He speaks frequently at conferences and events worldwide on the topics of Mars settlement and space development. 

Dillon Sances - Vice President & Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Dillon Sances is an active contributor to technology development and space exploration. Dillon holds a MSME and a BSAE from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), with a concentration in microgravity fluid dynamics, robotics, manufacturing, control systems, and space propulsion. In parallel with his education at ERAU, he fulfilled a NASA Graduate Student Research Program fellowship focused on multidisciplinary modeling of propellant slosh fluid-structure interaction within spacecraft propellant tanks in collaboration with NASA Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center. This research allowed Dillon to participate in multiple microgravity test flights to parameterize slosh dynamics and advance on-orbit propellant transfer and storage TRL’s for on-orbit fuel depots. Microgravity research was performed through the NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Program (RGSFP) and NASA Facilitated Access to Space Technologies (FAST) program through simulated microgravity testing onboard NASA’s parabolic aircraft. In addition to fluids research, he also fulfilled multiple NASA sponsored grants including a NASA fellowship to design an air-launched, suborbital rocket for 4Frontiers Corporation. Dillon also supervised the ERAU Manufacturing Facility and used CNC and manual machining equipment to fabricate hardware for aerospace projects as well as training students how to program and machine parts in a university environment. 

Marvin Tsoi - Chief Information Officer

Marvin Tsoi is a first generation Chinese-American, born and raised in Central Florida near University of Central Florida (UCF). Marvin holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from UCF, with special focus on thermal fluids. He has conducted research on the modeling and analysis of fiberglass polyester resin composite and carbon nanofiber reinforced carbon fiber composite at UCF. His dedication with ESI started in August 2010 and was responsible for overseeing engineering efforts and managing ESI staff and personnel.  As of 2012, Marvin was appointed the role of Chief Information Officer, with the responsibility of maintaining the information technology of the company and maintaining export control of ESI sensitive data.   Marvin continues to support the growth of ESI by hiring staff and personnel, and coordinating STEM outreach.  Even with all the managerial responsibility, Marvin still maintains his desire to help with the thermal design of the Omega Envoy Project.  Marvin also enjoys hoarding office supplies and not sharing his Swingline stapler.

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Technical Staff & Interns

Alberto Bird - Lead Avionics Engineer

Alberto Bird is currently pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics at the University of Central Florida (UCF). His interests include anything to do with the progression of technology and space. He enjoys aviation, diving, sailing, playing the guitar, fishing, and video games. He intends to pursue a license in aviation, and eventually own his own P-51 Mustang. Alberto is responsible for developing the communications systems to be used in the Omega Envoy project. 

Andrew Copeland – Lead Engineer, LOI Spacecraft

Andrew Copeland is a senior at the University of Central Florida and is currently pursuing a B.S. in both Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. Andrew’s interest in physics and the space industry was sparked at an early age from the writings of Stephen Hawking, visits to the Kennedy Space Center, and from watching shuttle launches. Andrew’s interests include: theoretical physics, playing guitar, serving as the vocalist for his band, surfing, playing basketball, golfing, and writing. Andrew hopes his experience with Earthrise Space, Inc. will give him invaluable experience in the space industry, and start him in the right direction towards working on future mars missions, payload delivery services, space tourism, and rocket propulsion systems. 

Jason Daniels - Testing Engineer 

Jason Daniels is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and minors in Biomechanics and Business Administration.  An interest in space brought Jason to the Omega Envoy team, where he is enjoying the experience he is receiving as a testing engineer.  In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and sports like football, ultimate frisbee, and soccer.  

Tanya Emmons - Mechanical Engineer

Tanya Emmons is a senior in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Central Florida.  She is a transfer student from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Tanya aspired to be an engineer since her sophomore year of high school.  She spends her spare time watching documentaries about space exploration, theoretical physics, and new scientific discoveries.  Driven by her love for discovering how things work she likes to learn something new every day. 

Krystal Folkes - Computer Engineer

Krystal Folkes is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Engineering and a minor in Business Administration at the University of Central Florida(UCF). Krystal's interest includes computer programming, music, shopping,  and community service. She has been programming since high school and loves it. She is currently the  UCF Programs Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Involved with engineering projects with NSBE, she gained a great deal of interest in robotics. She works with Omega Envoy project as an test engineer.

Maxwell Greenspan - Rover Lead

Maxwell Greenspan is currently a junior at the University of Central Florida (UCF) seeking his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Maxwell has a history of intern experience ranging from military communications to additive manufacturing (3D-printing). With a desire to excel and accomplish bigger challenges, Maxwell joined the Omega Envoy team in pursuit of building a lunar rover. When Maxwell has down time, he likes to exercise and watch Curb Your Enthusiasm... although not at the same time.

Stephen Hall - Lead Testing Engineer

Stephen Hall is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Stephen’s involvement in the Boy Scouts at an early age inspired his interest in the aerospace industry while attending fieldtrips to the Kennedy Space Center.  His interests include music, fishing, AIAA, rugby, guitar, soccer, violin, and snowboarding. He intends to further pursue his education in the aeronautical field with the hopes of one day becoming an astronaut working aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He hopes the experience and knowledge gained through Earthrise Space, Inc. will help to accelerate his dreams into a reality.  

Thais Lage - Mechanical Engineer

Thais Lage is currently a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida. She was born in Brazil, and moved to Florida in 1994. She enjoys playing volleyball and going to the beach. In high school, she took an astronomy class, which sparked her interest in space. Her dreams are to eventually go to the moon and look at the universe from a different perspective. Until then, she’ll settle for working for NASA as a rocket scientist. 

Eric Lee - Mechanical Engineer

Eric is a senior currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida. He has lived in the Orlando area since moving from California at the age of three. He spends much of his free time playing ultimate frisbee with the UCF club team, the Dogs of War. Growing up he enjoyed building model rockets and robots, and taking apart appliances to examine their inner workings. His dream is to use his engineering knowledge to design cool things, and Omega Envoy provides him with a great opportunity to do so.

Jimmy Lee - Electrical Engineer

Jimmy Lee is currently a 5th year student pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Minor in Mathematics at UCF. Once a pursuant chef, Jimmy turned to engineering to pursue a more stimulating field. He is an active member of Theta Tau and the Urban gaming club of UCF. An avid fan of video gaming and role playing games, he finds that a compelling story is the backbone to a great game. Jimmy enjoys a philosophical/mental spar from time to time to pursue and view the world from new perspectives.

Austin Macdade - Software Engineer

Austin Macdade is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF) with plans to continue to higher degrees. He is passionate about space exploration, both by humans and robots, and takes special interest in swarm robotics for use in exploration and resource gathering/distribution. Over the years, he has become a licensed bartender, SCUBA diver, Florida fisherman, and aerial work platform operator. His interests include, but are by no means limited to, SCUBA and free diving, wakeboarding, hiking, programming, automotive repair, tinkering with electronics, biohacking, scientific and fine art photography, reading books, music, and cooking. His plans for the future include opening a school for children to be able to seek their own interests while still getting a well rounded education, contributing to human-machine-human interface research, and opening a restaurant. He aspires to do things well whenever there is something to be done.

Katherine Magee - Mechanical Engineer

Katherine Magee is currently a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, seeking a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a strong interest in Materials Engineering.  Katherine is interested in pursuing research further into her career. She was born in Cape Canaveral, FL but primarily grew up in Las Vegas, NV. Being drawn to her birthplace, she returned to Florida and became fascinated by spacecraft and technology at the Kennedy Space Center. She participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition of 2011 and hopes to inspire science and technology into the younger generation of students.

Marlon Albert Mailey Jr. - Manufacturing Engineer

Marlon, raised in Virginia, is currently a junior at the University of Central Florida majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in business. At an early age Marlon always wanted to know how tools and other things worked, which led him to want to pursue an interest in the engineering field.  Marlon is also involved with organizations on campus such as National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Men of Integrity (MOI), and a part of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity. His hobbies include playing basketball, music, and event promoting. Marlon hopes to gain knowledge to all aspects of a mechanical engineer so that he can finalize what type of career to he wants to pursue.

Adam Nehr - Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Adam Nehr has enjoyed a 40 year long career in image systems operation, design and fabrication and in electro-mechanical design and prototyping. Adam is a graduate precision machinist and tool maker with a follow on apprenticeship at the General Electric Company. He is a self taught photographer and the former owner of a large commercial studio in Pennsylvania which he sold after 9 years in business. Adam was educated in high speed motion analysis photography at the University of Wisconsin and held the position of chief motion analysis photographer at McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems Company (MDMSC) where he participated in flight dynamics and failure analysis tests on anti-tank rockets and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

After MDMSC sold to Boeing, Adam took a position in the photo-optical department at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as a high speed camera specialist. While at KSC he became interested in a long standing problem; that of acquiring large format, perspective correct launch images. To meet this challenge, he designed and fabricated a special camera and sensor system to solve the problem. This was a self funded project and he retains the intellectual property rights to this system which is in use at KSC, Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg launch facilities. Adam left KSC to manage a company that was the first to use his system. He held the position of Camera Systems Designer and Photography Department Supervisor at this company, Bionetics Photo Services, for five years. In 2004 Adam returned to the NASA contract at KSC to assist with the return to flight effort after the Columbia accident. He remained there as an instrumentation specialist and designer until the end of the Shuttle program. 

Adam has won numerous awards including the McDonnell Douglas “Best of 90” award and cash bonus for engineering, the NASA spirit of excellence award for imagery support, and the NASA Quasar award for safety engineering associated with a failure analysis for a component used on Pad Camera systems that identified a major hazard to flight hardware.

Adam is an experienced pilot and experimental aircraft builder. He rebuilt and modified the aerodynamic design of a Rutan Vari-Viggen that he flew in airshows for several years. This aircraft was featured in Air Progress magazine in 1992.

Adam is now retired from the Space Shuttle program and has developed an interest in robotics. He is currently working in the field of robotics and electro-mechanical design at ESI with the goal of mentoring up and coming innovative thinkers and designers on a robotics program that has, as its goal, the launching of an exploratory robot to land on the moon.

Andres Pazmino - Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Andres Pazmino is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Being inspired by movies such as “Short Circuit” and “Back To The Future,” he always dreamt of designing his own robot, or time machine. In high school, Andres got involved with robotic organizations such as US FIRST and Bots IQ where he made his dream a reality. Having achieved his childhood dream at such an early age, Andres currently pursues involvement with the latest technologies in the robotics, aviation, and automotive industries. This is how he came across the Omega Envoy project. He hopes his involvement here will open the doors necessary to achieve his career goals.  

Randy Poole - Mechanical Engineer

Randy Poole is a senior at the University of Central Florida seeking his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. The rapid progression of science and technology has led him to his interest in engineering in order to assist in the discovery of new things. The knowledge and experience gained from Earthrise Space Inc. has only enhanced this interest. In his free time, Randy enjoys working out, fishing, and working on cars. 

Travis Riley - Aerospace Engineer

Travis Riley is currently pursuing a B.S. in aerospace engineering at the University of Central Florida.  He has always been interested in aircraft and spacecraft beginning with small model rockets launched from his back yard.  He is a member of both the Students for Exploration and Development of Space and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics at UCF, usually working on a project for one or both groups, and is working on the propulsion system for ESI's Lunar Descent Vehicle. 

Jonathan Schroder - Electrical Engineer

Jonathan Schroder is a freshman at Valencia Community College, seeking a degree in astronautics. He’s been interested in space development ever since high school, where he competed in the International Space Settlement Design Competition. Jonathan hopes to one day own and operate his own spaceflight company. In his free time, he likes to play video games, read, and write.

Hassan Siddiqui - Computer Engineer

Hassan is currently an incoming freshman at the University of Central Florida (UCF) pursuing his B.S. in Computer Engineering. Hassan became interested into the field of engineering and computers after competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and VEX robotics competitions though University High School’s robotics team. Hassan is assisting the project by working on the software for the Omega Envoy project’s camera system.

Mark Soltys - Lead Orbital Mechanics Engineer

Mark Soltys is an Aerospace Engineer dedicated to telemetry optimization, payload integration and design of the LDV powered decent profile in his current role as Earthrise Space Inc.’s (ESI) Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer. 

He originally started working at ESI in January of 2012 as an Orbital Mechanics Engineer with the majority of his work dedicated to mission design and spacecraft telemetry.  In December of 2012, Mark graduated from the University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) with an emphasis in Space Sciences.  During his undergraduate years, he was the chief engineer for a large budget research project for Siemens on the development of a fast response aerodynamic probe for high bandwidth data acquisition and three-dimensional mapping of highly complex flow structures in a turbine compressor.

Prior to moving to Orlando, Mark attended Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) where he majored in physics and played varsity football. His interest in the aerospace industry along with his desire to be on the water year-round led him to the Sunshine State. Mark still calls Kansas City home and misses the great barbecue!

Justin Sumpter - Senior Systems Administrator

Justin Sumpter is a senior at the University of Central Florida seeking a Bachelors degree in Information Technology. Justin has had a passion to be involved in the space flight industry ever since seeing the Kennedy Space Center first hand as a small child with his grandpa. During high school he competed in the International Space Settlement Design Competition for four years. He is still an active mentor to the team that competes from Edgewater High School. Justin wants to work for a private space flight company after he graduates, ideally by facilitating launch operations and infrastructure. He is excited to join the Omega Envoy team to gain valuable hands on experience and to help bring the project to completion. In his free time, Justin enjoys camping, SCUBA diving, competitive shooting, and watching rocket launches.

Bryan Tench - Mechanical Engineer

Bryan is a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of Central Florida. He had the unique opportunity recently of working on the transition and retirement of the space shuttle fleet at the Kennedy Space Center. Bryan hopes to pursue an engineering career that is both unique and challenging. With his spare time he enjoys spending time outdoors surfing, playing sports, and trying new things.

Donovan Williams - Manufacturing Engineer

Donovan Williams is currently a senior studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida. His interest in the automotive industry at an early age led him to choose to study engineering, to provide him the skills and knowledge needed to tackle problems. A mobile, military upbringing has given him a well-rounded view of the world. He is engaged as part of the manufacturing team at ESI and the experience he is gaining here is helping him with his engineering curriculum. He is a member of the Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity (ΘΤ) and enjoys basketball. Donovan plans on pursuing an automotive related career and after graduation.

Sarah McNulty - Public Relations

Sarah McNulty is a senior seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts and Emerging Media Management at the University of Central Florida. (She is not an astronaut, just clever with graphics!) Originally from Destin, Florida, she initially moved to Central Florida in order to study Character Animation. However, after visiting the Kennedy Space Center and having the opportunity to watch the final few Shuttle launches, she found herself hopelessly stricken with 'the Space Bug' . Recognizing that the Space Program needs the power of both creative and scientific minds, she decided to shift focus and pursue a career in the Space Industry. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering at the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum and other similar activities. She loves bunnies, electronic 80's music, and anything that screams 'Space Age!' .

Jordan Lambrecht - Testing Engineer

Jordan Lambrecht is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida.  He is a native of Winter Park, Florida with a passion to explore and solve engineering problems.  Naturally, living near the Space Coast ignited in him an interest in the space program and exploration.  This combined with a fascination for testing, manufacturing, and assembly processes, he is excited to have the opportunity to become part of the experienced ESI team. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, soccer, fishing, diving for lobster in the Florida Keys, and exploring concepts of invention and design.

Martin McClellan - Director of Testing Operations

Martin McClellan has a Master of Science in Space Systems and has 27 years of experience as an aerospace engineer. Martin started his engineering career with Perkin Elmer Corporation as a Contamination Control Engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope Optical Telescope Assembly. There he managed the Contamination Control and Facility Monitoring Programs during the build of the Optical Telescope Assembly. As a result of his work there, he published two papers in the Journal of Environmental Sciences. One titled “Monitoring Contamination and Component Cleaning for the Hubble Space Telescope” and the other titled “Avoiding Molecular Contamination in Clean Rooms”. 

After the completion of the Hubble Space Telescope build, he moved on to a position as a Contamination Control Engineer for the Space Shuttle Orbiter with Lockheed Space Operations. In this position, he was responsible for managing the Crew Compartment, Payload Bay, and Aft Compartment Contamination Control. 

In November of 1998 he became a Test Project Engineer (Systems Integration Engineer) for United Space Alliance. He remained in that position until July of 2011, when the Space Shuttle Program ended. 

In addition to his role at ESI, Mr. McClellan is also a teacher and holds the role of Speaker Coordinator for SpaceCoast Technical Network.

Angelo Jimenez - Systems Administrator

Angelo Jimenez is a senior at the University of Central Florida seeking a Bachelors degree in Information Technology. His inspiration for technology was further strengthened by his service in the U.S. Air Force. Angelo was an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist for most of his military career before switching to a career as a Client Support Administrator. He served two tours overseas in support of campaigns Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. After completion of his military service he joined the IT team that supports the Navy Marine Corp Intranet (NMCI) at Naval Support Activity in Panama City, Florida.  He  transferred to the Orlando Naval Support Activity and eventually left to pursue a degree from UCF. After graduation, Angelo wants to become a Network Administrator/ Engineer and continue working within the Space/ Technology industry. In his spare time, Angelo enjoys spending time with his family & friends, watching and playing sports, cooking, playing chess, and making mix tapes.

Jamaun Washington - Systems Administrator

Jamaun is an intern at Earthrise Space, Inc. who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with a minor in Digital Media. Jamaun was originally a Film major, however he wasn't satisfied with the road he was heading down, and decided to mix his creativity with a more technical BA degree in IT. After his internship at ESI, Jamaun plans to continue working as a systems administrator for a company like Lockheed Martin, or to use his creative expertise to work as a video editor for a production company.

Alexandra Robinson

Alexandra Robinson is a senior who is seeking a Bachelors of Science degree in Applied Mathematics at the University of Central Florida. A high school astronomy class was the culprit that sparked her interest in outer space. Through travel and being able to watch a few space shuttle launches, she gained a keen interest in the development of aircraft and spacecraft.  She believes that space science and technology development will grow and ultimately enhance our current knowledge of the Universe. This belief and her desire to succeed inspired her to join the Omega Envoy team.  In her spare time, she enjoys practicing and teaching martial arts, volunteering, and spending time outdoors. 

Sacha Bialek

Sacha Bialek is a junior at University of Central Florida pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering. Her interest in space and space exploration was sparked at an early age. She became heavily influenced by the great minds of Carl Sagan, Brain Green, and Stephen Hawking. Sacha enjoys learning about new advances in astrophysics, space exploration, and astronomy. She is excited to help out with the testing of Omega Envoy’s Lunar Rover and hopes to gain a vast amount of knowledge and experience that will help her in her future endeavors.  

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Advisers

Randal Allen

Adviser, Aerospace Systems
Dr. Randal Allen has over 20 years of industry experience and is currently an aerospace and defense consultant working under contract to provide 6DOF aerodynamic simulation, modeling, analysis, design, integration, and test of navigation, guidance, and control systems.  His previous experience includes launch systems integration and flight operations for Titan-IV missions, propulsion modeling for the Iridium satellite constellation, and field application engineering for MATRIXx.

He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and is the current chairperson the Central Florida Section.  He is certified as a modeling and simulation professional (CMSP) by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) and also certified to deliver Franklin-Covey’s Focus and Execution track which provides training on achieving your highest priorities.

Dr. Allen’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida, an Engineer’s Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University, an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a B.S. in Engineering Physics, both from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign).  He also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE) department at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida.

Mark Homnick

Adviser, Program Management & Mechanical Engineering
Mark is the CEO of 4Frontiers Corporation, a space technology and informative entertainment company. He served as Program Manager for two comprehensive design studies of the first permanent Mars settlement while at 4Frontiers. His professional experience includes a decade at Intel as program/project manager for wafer fabrication facility design and construction, plus another decade with AT&T developing commercial production facilities. His technical background includes a BSME from Pennsylvania State University and multiple publications on high purity fluids. He is also coauthor on two technical papers on the topics of Mars settlement architecture and space economics. 

Justin Karl

Adviser, Testing, Validation & Integration
Born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland, Justin Karl left the surf life in favor of rocket science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona. There he earned BS degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Physics, as well as an MS degree in Aerospace Engineering.  Justin is currently a part-time lecturer at the University of Central Florida while he finishes his Mechanical Engineering PhD under a department-sponsored fellowship.  Considered an emerging authority in mechanical testing and life prediction, he has a diverse skill set that has application in all stages of engineering research and development.  With experience in both the private sector and NASA, Justin's enthusiasm lies with the privatization of space.  As an ex-Director of Earthrise,  he has returned in an advisory capacity to help guide the engineering teams as work progresses on the space hardware now being designed and manufactured by the Omega Envoy team.

Kuo-Chi “Kurt” Lin, Ph.D.

Adviser, Principal Investigator for UCF
Dr. Lin received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Michigan.  Since joining University of Central Florida (UCF) in 1990, he has been teaching aerospace-related courses and involving in aerospace-related research.  Dr. Lin has published over 100 technical papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings.  His research interests include small satellites, swarming robots/UAVs, and renewable energy technologies.

Jeff Mitchell

Adviser, Propulsion Systems, Power Systems, Orbital Mechanics & Spacecraft Testing 
Jeff Mitchell is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who worked at the Kennedy Space Center for over 28 years. He is also a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) where he teaches, among other subjects, Rocket Propulsion. This makes him a real Rocket Scientist from MIT. He has written articles for the Encyclopedia of Space Technology published by McGraw Hill, and has published his book, Space Power Systems, which is available at http://www.lulu.com/.  He was in charge of all testing on the first International Space Station Element, Node 1, later renamed Unity.  His last job at KSC was as an Astronaut representative, which means he did everything from filling in for them during testing to taking them off the space shuttle when it landed. He was a consultant for the Mission Space Ride at Epcot Center. He has given technical advice to science fiction authors. He is currently concentrating on helping us get off the planet.

Donald Platt

Mr Donald Platt founded Micro Aerospace Solutions (MAS), Inc. in 2000 to provide engineering design and development services in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering. He has 20 years of experience in a variety of engineering and technology development fields. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Western Connecticut State University (1989); Master of Science in Space Systems, Florida Institute of Technology (1997); Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology (2001); and is concluding PhD studies in Aerospace/Cognitive Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology. Mr Platt is also Program Director for the Florida Institute of Technology’s off-campus space systems master’s degree program. He is technical design consultant to the United Nation’s UNESCOsat project, the first satellite in the history of the United Nations. He is also a consulting editor to McGraw-Hill for their yearbooks and encyclopedias of science and technology.

Prior to founding MAS, Mr. Platt had been a Flight Experiments engineer for the Bionetics Corporation, designing and building space shuttle mid-deck experiments. He was lead computer systems engineer for the NASA BIOTUBE experiment that flew on Space Shuttle Columbia (STS107). The Boeing Corporation also employed Mr. Platt as a Command and Data Handling Systems Engineer on the International Space Station project at Kennedy Space Center. Other projects Mr. Platt has worked on include propulsion system development and attitude control for small and nanosatellites as well as Inertial Measurement Units. Mr Platt was Principal Investigator on a NASA SBIR project to design and test gel-based propellant systems.

Razvan Rusovici, Ph.D.

Adviser, Finite Element Analysis and Spacecraft Structural Analysis & Testing
Dr. Razvan Rusovici is Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology. He has been involved in adaptive structures, sensor design and turbomachinery analysis research during his previous tenure at STI Technologies Inc. His responsibilities at STI included sensor development, experimental modal analysis, turbo machinery health monitoring, adaptive structures research and finite element analysis.  Dr. Rusovici’s expertise comes from the sensor and aerospace industries.  Prior to joining STI, Dr. Rusovici worked as a Research Scientist with PCB Piezotronics Inc. (1997-2000) where he was responsible for research and development of a variety of sensors. Dr. Rusovici has a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VA, 1999. Dr. Rusovici has (co-) authored several papers for conferences and journals and has received the “AIAA SDM2000 Best Paper Award” for “Modeling of Shock Propagation and Attenuation in Viscoelastic Materials”, co-authored with Dr. George Lesieutre and Dr. Dan Inman.

Captain Matthew D. Sanchez

Adviser, Orbital Mechanics & STK
Capt Matthew D. Sanchez is the Spacelift Operations Flight Commander at the 1st Range Operations Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. He is responsible for all range mission documentation used during pre-mission and day-of-launch operations by 80+ combat mission ready personnel. Captain Sanchez graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2007. He has served as a combat operations/combat plans adjutant, range control officer, range operations commander, evaluator, and flight commander. His space career began as a student/LEAP officer at the 392nd Training Squadron and 614th Air and Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, California where he was responsible for crew force management. While a range control officer at the Eastern Range, he was responsible for major range instrumentation supersystems during launch of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), commercial space, and NASA missions.Captain Sanchez is a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology’s Space Systems program and is member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society.

Andrew C. Schuerger, Ph.D.

Adviser, Planetary Protection Protocols
Dr. Andrew C. Schuerger received his BS (1979) and MS (1981) degrees from the University of Arizona and his Ph.D. (1991) from the University of Florida studying microbiology and plant pathology.  His dissertation studied the effects of temperature and pH on spore attachment of the fungal pathogen, Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, to roots of mung bean plants grown in hydroponic systems.  Dr. Schuerger worked for 18 years (1982-2000) at The Land (a hydroponic research and education facility) at Epcot Center, FL developing disease management programs for viral, bacterial, fungal, and nematode diseases of vegetable and agronomic crops.  His research interests have closely paralleled NASA’s Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Astrobiology programs in which he has published articles on plant-pathogen interactions in semi-closed plant growing systems, survival of terrestrial microorganisms under Martian conditions, and microbial ecology of human missions to Mars.  In 1997 Dr. Schuerger joined the Dynamac Corporation (a NASA contractor at the Kennedy Space Center, FL specializing in environmental and life sciences) to pursue research on the remote sensing of plant stress, Mars astrobiology, and ALS plant pathology issues.  In 2003 Dr. Schuerger joined the Dept. of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida as a Research Assistant Professor to continue his Mars astrobiology and ALS research activities.  His current research efforts are studying the effects of the Martian surface environment on the survival, growth, and adaptation of terrestrial microorganisms on Mars.  He also has continued research into the use of remote sensing technologies to detect and classify plant pathogens present in hydroponic plant production systems.  His office and lab are located in the newly constructed Space Life Sciences Lab at the Kennedy Space Center,  FL.

David Van Ee

Adviser, Hardware Testing
David Van Ee is an engineer employed with Rini Technologies and has worked on many R&D projects for the US military. These projects include advanced cooling techniques for laser weapons and a portable personal cooling unit. He received his BSE from Dordt College in 2004 and moved to Florida just in time for direct hits from hurricanes Charlie, Frances and Jeanne. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Jenae and daughter Arianne (not to be confused with the Ariane rocket), reading hard Sci-Fi and flying his RC plane. He is excited to help Earthrise Space compete in the GLXP.