Journey Through My Cosmic Universe

Blasting off into new frontiers of Aerospace Engineering and space-related missions.

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My Cosmic Journey

Hello! I'm Manas Katragadda, a recent graduate in Aerospace Engineering with a Space Minor from the University of Colorado Boulder. My passion lies in space and space-related missions, driven by a desire to explore and innovate. When I'm not immersed in cosmic endeavors, I enjoy rock-climbing, trekking, playing strategy-based card games, and strumming my ukulele. Join me as I navigate the complexities of code and design, transforming ideas into digital realities.

My Flight Plan: Resume

Education

B.S. Aerospace Engineering, minors in Astrophysics and Space

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

May 2025 | GPA: 3.1/4

Achievements: General Engineering Scholarship, Awtar and Teji Singh Scholarship, Bottle Rocket Project Accuracy Award Winner, Glider Project Design Award Winner, Ripple Award

  • Relevant Coursework: Electronics and Communications, Vehicle Design and Performance, Structures and Statics, Thermodynamics, Formation and Dynamics of Planetary Systems, Aerospace Dynamics and Systems, Orbital Mechanics, Aircraft Dynamics

Experience

Senior Design - Deployable Magnetosphere Boom (Software Lead - Embedded Systems)

Boulder, CO

August 2024 - May 2025

  • Worked and implemented code to extend tapespring boom via motor control using a raspberry pi pico using I2C protocols.
  • Implemented hard and soft iron calibration on magnetometer validating data against USGS geomagnetic readings.
  • Designed the motor mounting system using SolidWorks.
  • Conducted analysis between different types of Deployable Booms to choose ideal boom configuration.

Nebula HiveStar Intern

Lockheed Martin, Highlands Ranch, CO

June 2023 - August 2023 & June 2024 - August 2024

  • Worked in an Agile environment to construct a GUI from the ground up, received feedback and went through rapid iterations.
  • Used AutoCad Inventor to design and model drone docks from scratch, optimized and mass manufactured them via 3D printers.
  • Attended daily scrum and increment plannings to figure out tasking between team members and stretch goals like STK (orbital) integration.

Structures (Aerogel Cube Environmental Studies)

NASA Colorado Space Grant Consortium, Boulder, CO

January 2022 - May 2022

  • Successfully launched 2 payloads consisting of aerogel, polyethylene foam over 100,000 ft.
  • Constructed a payload structure and conducted a structural analysis to protect essential equipment.
  • Conducted Drop and Loading tests to ensure equipment within cubesat would survive G-Force of launch and fall.
  • Conducted data analysis in Matlab to isolate the differences between aerogel technology and polyethylene foam.
  • Worked with sensors and embedded systems using C/C++ to integrate, monitor and receive data.

Leadership Experience

Vice President | Intern | Member

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Boulder, CO

August 2023 - Present

  • Served on the executive board, organizing events & meetings by partnering with diverse campus groups and companies.
  • Secured over $5000 in funding by successfully reaching out to 10+ companies.
  • Head of Decorations for AAPI Event successfully directing volunteers to manage 10+ booths with 500+ attendees.
Visit Club Website

Lead Space Minor Ambassador

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

August 2021 - Present

  • Organized outreach events with retired astronaut guest speakers to support community building for space enthusiasts.
  • Led the largest Star-gazing event (100+ attendees) at CU which involved operating telescopes and managing volunteers.
  • Consulted for teams of students working on arduino board software to attach sensors that establish atmosphere metrics.
Visit Program Page

Project Experience

Orbital Mechanics

Team Lead

  • Developed a spacecraft orbital determination model using MATLAB to chart a trajectory towards asteroid Bennu.
  • Calculated required delta Vs for spacecraft takeoff and orbit. Modeled to reduce transit times and optimize fuel.
  • Integrated scanning and orientation algorithms within the model to pinpoint specific points of interest on Bennu's surface.

Glider Project

  • Designed and constructed a glider to carry a camera payload within specific static and dynamic stability constraints
  • Investigated multiple designs using MATLAB to determine an ideal glider configuration to maximize distance
  • Created a SOLIDWORKS design using lightweight PLA and a 3D printer, successfully launching the glider over 75 feet

Structures Lab - FEM/Torsion/Buckling

  • Gained experience in analyzing the internal forces acting on a loaded 16-bay space truss. Calculations were done by comparing the data from experimental models against data using ANSYS which used the Finite Element Model.
  • Analyzed the differences between analytical and experimental data of a closed and open thin wall specimen

Skills, Languages & Interests

C/C++ Java Python HTML/CSS/JavaScript Matlab Django Microsoft Office Soldering & Machining Arduino AutoCAD Milling & Lathing Welding

My Constellation of Projects

Deployable Magnetosphere Boom Exploded View

Senior Design - Deployable Magnetosphere Boom

Worked and implemented code to extend tapespring boom via motor control using a raspberry pi pico using I2C protocols. Designed the motor mounting system using SolidWorks. Click for more details!

Raspberry Pi Pico SolidWorks
Glider Project Design Overview

Glider Project (Design Award)

Designed and constructed a glider to carry a camera payload within specific static and dynamic stability constraints. Investigate designs using MATLAB. Click for more details!

MATLAB SOLIDWORKS

Senior Design - Deployable Magnetosphere Boom

Project Overview

This senior design project involved developing a deployable magnetosphere boom. As the Software Lead for Embedded Systems, my responsibilities were crucial in the functionality of the system.

    I developed embedded code to control a motorized tapespring boom using a Raspberry Pi Pico and I2C protocols. I implemented advanced magnetometer calibration—including both hard and soft iron corrections—and validated our sensor data against official USGS geomagnetic readings. I also designed the custom motor mounting system in SolidWorks and played a key role in analyzing and selecting the ideal deployable boom configuration for our mission’s requirements. My work ensured that our system could reliably deploy and collect accurate data in a cubesat environment.

Technologies Used

Raspberry Pi Pico I2C Protocols SolidWorks Embedded Systems

Visuals

Deployable Magnetosphere Boom Exploded View Magnetometer Calibration Visualization

Project Video

Glider Project (Design Award)

Project Overview

This project involved the design and construction of a glider specifically engineered to carry a camera payload while adhering to strict static and dynamic stability constraints.

    For this project, I designed and built a lightweight glider capable of carrying a camera payload while meeting strict stability constraints. I used MATLAB to evaluate different wing and body configurations, ultimately choosing a design that maximized flight distance and efficiency. I modeled the glider in SOLIDWORKS, fabricated it with lightweight PLA using a 3D printer, and successfully launched it over 75 feet. This hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of aerodynamic tradeoffs and rapid prototyping for flight hardware.

Key Features

  • Material choice: Lightweight Foaming PLA for fuselage and Foam Core for wings.
  • Fuselage length: 0.75 m; Wingspan: 1 m; Wing Area: 0.1312 m²; Wing Average Chord Length: 0.13 m.
  • Center of gravity: $X_{cg} = 0.26$ m; Aerodynamic Center: $X_{ac} = 0.221$ m.
  • Tapered, high mounted wings (better stability and AR for better glide performance, less chance of wing damage on impact).
  • Narrow fuselage section between tail and wings (lighter weight).
  • Rounded fuselage (better aerodynamics w/ less drag).
  • Forward mounted camera housing (better adjusted center of gravity).

Performance Summary

System Requirements Threshold Actual
Max Glide Range (m) 125 m 71 m
Max Glide Vel. (m/s) 12 m/s ~8.9 m/s
Max Glide Endurance (s) 13 s 8.1 +/- 0.1 s
Elevator Pitch Control (degrees) +/- 10° 2.42°
Long. Stability Static Margin (SM) 10% $\leq$ SM $\leq$ 30% 31%
Long. Stability - Horz Tail Vol. Vh = 0.3 0.6
Lateral Stability - Vert. Tail Vol./Spiral Vv >= 0.02, B >= 5 0.04
Max Wingspan (m) b $\leq$ 1.0 m b = 1.0 m
Payload (Camera) Secure + safe transport Successful
Unit Cost ($) Min $9

Visuals

Project Video

Crew Manifest: Clubs

SASE Logo

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Vice President | Intern | Member

August 2023 – May 2025

Served on the executive board, organized events, and secured funding. Click for more details!

CU Boulder Logo

CU Boulder - Space Minor Ambassador

Lead Space Minor Ambassador

August 2021 – May 2025

Organized outreach events, led star-gazing events, and consulted for student teams. Click for more details!

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Role & Responsibilities

Vice President | Intern | Member
August 2023 – May 2025

    As Vice President of SASE, I served on the executive board and helped organize events that brought together students, companies, and diverse campus groups. I led fundraising efforts, securing over $5,000 in sponsorships. One of my highlights was directing volunteers and coordinating logistics for our campus-wide AAPI celebration, where we managed 10+ booths and welcomed over 500 attendees. My work focused on building an inclusive community and providing professional development opportunities for our members.

SASEImage1 SASEImage2 SASEImage3

CU Boulder - Space Minor Ambassador

Role & Responsibilities

Lead Space Minor Ambassador
August 2021 – May 2025

    In my role as Lead Space Minor Ambassador, I organized outreach events that connected students with leading voices in the space industry, including retired astronaut guest speakers. I planned and led the university’s largest stargazing event, overseeing telescope operations and volunteer coordination for more than 100 attendees. I also advised student teams on integrating sensors and software for atmospheric experiments using Arduino, helping foster a hands-on, collaborative environment for space exploration enthusiasts at CU Boulder. Additionally, worked as a TA for a class under Chris Koehler called Pathway to Space

    SASEImage1

Celestial Accolades: Awards

Ripple Award

University of Colorado Boulder

2025

Awarded for creating positive impact and fostering community. Click for more details!

Cultural Event of the Year

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

2025

Recognized for organizing an outstanding cultural event. Click for more details!

Student Org of the Year

University of Colorado Boulder

2024

Awarded to an exemplary student organization. Click for more details!

Ripple Award

Award Details

University of Colorado Boulder
2025

This award is in collaboration with the Dennis Small Cultural Center at CU Boulder and recognizes my efforts to enhance cross-cultural awareness and foster a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion. "I have gone above and beyond in advocating for and facilitating cultural programming, and my impact has extended far beyond its original scope."

RippleAwardPhoto Visit CU Boulder Involvement Awards

Cultural Event of the Year - Diwali

Award Details

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
2025

Helped lead the organization and planning of a Diwali celebration that brought together over 300 students from diverse backgrounds to explore South Asian culture through interactive booths, creative crafts, and traditional cuisine. Collaborating with other student organizations, we created an inclusive, hands-on experience that encouraged cross-cultural learning and engagement. Our event set a new standard for campus cultural programming and fostered a strong sense of community and appreciation for diversity.

CSIDiwaliPhoto Visit CU Boulder Involvement Awards

Student Org of the Year

Award Details

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
2024

The "Student Organization of the Year" award celebrates an outstanding student group that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, community impact, innovation, and commitment to its members and the wider university. This organization excelled in its mission through impactful events, strong member engagement, and significant contributions to campus life.

StudentOrgCSI

Transmit Signal: Contact Me

Ready to launch a new project or just want to chat about the cosmos? Feel free to reach out!

Direct Contact

Email: manas.katragadda@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manas-katragadda/

GitHub: github.com/profsourlemon33

Orbiting Earth from Boulder, CO