Design Day 2026

Project Description
We validated current AER CFD and providing them with pressure distribution through experimental methods. We then created our own aerodynamics package (front wing / rear wing) to directly compare using lessons learned through design philosophy and experimental testing of AER-26. The main goal of this study is to provide AER with valuable information about their race vehicle’s aerodynamics design to be compared to the results obtained during live testing trials. The main learning objective is race car aerodynamics design and using CFD.

• Team Members: Matthew Sciascia, Anthony Lopez, Anthony Pena Barerra, Riku Okubo
• Advisor(s): Profs. Joseph Katz and Roni Goldshmid; San Diego State University

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Project Description
7-person team designing a next-generation carrier-based strike fighter concept responding to the 2025–2026 Navy RFP for AIAA Competition. It is meant to achieve a 700 nmi combat radius with internal weapons carriage for survivability, TRL 6+ subsystems, and 25-year maritime durability, with other constraints. Validated CVN-68/CVN-78 compatibility (catapult launch, arrested recovery, deck/hangar limits) and sized air-to-air and precision-strike payloads while iterating on remaining dash/turn performance targets.

• Team Members: Maxwell O'Neill, Ethan Barichievich, Luke Horton, Benjamin Torres, Ian Plant, Bryce Sullins, William Peterson
• Advisor: Prof. Geoffrey Butler, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The objective of this project is to design, build, and launch a fin-controlled rocket to guide itself autonomously towards a weather balloon. The entire project has been built from scratch; custom PCB and electronics, custom code and flight control software, and custom body and moving parts. We've successfully built, simulated, and launched the rocket shown many times.

• Team Members: Jeffery Schroeder, Jared Maestri, Logan Smith, Clement Colwell, Mika Nash, Tlalli Urbano
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The High‑Powered Solar Electric Propulsion (HPSEP) space tug is a reusable cislunar transport vehicle designed to move cargo between Earth and lunar orbit using high‑efficiency Hall thrusters, roll‑out solar arrays, and on‑orbit refueling. To represent one of its critical subsystems, we built a reaction‑wheel prototype that demonstrates how the tug maintains precise attitude during long‑duration thrusting, docking, and solar‑array tracking. Our prototype showcases the ADCS principles that keep the full‑scale HPSEP tug stable and mission‑ready.

• Team Members: Majied Alfar Diaz, Lorenzo Bento, Hector Granados, Julie Johal, Kiersten Funk, Mujib Sarwari, Tlalli Urbano, Andrew Yefsky, Endrina Zymeri
• Advisor: Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: SDSU SPACE Lab

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Project Description
The Bang-Bang Baddies are tasked with designing a bang-bang pressure regulation system for SDSU Rocket Project. To maintain a stable engine burn, the pressure in the propellant tanks must be held constant by regulating the flow of nitrogen from the pressurant tank. Our team is building out a system, that uses three electrically actuated solenoid valves to regulate a constant outlet pressure. By opening and closing in response to pressure changes, the valves will maintain tank pressure within a 10 psi band throughout operations.

• Team Members: Alex Aarhus, Raquel Berk, Samuel Carmon, Annie Coker, Arabella Kriedeman
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: Rocket Project SDSU

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Project Description
OverrideX’s WIG RC prototype is a Boeing Pelican inspired wing in ground effect aircraft designed to exploit the lift and efficiency gains that occur when flying just above water, where wingtip vortices and downwash are reduced and induced drag drops. The vehicle can achieve longer endurance and higher payload efficiency than a conventional RC aircraft at the same power. The program integrates retractable footpods to get the aircraft at the appropriate ride height.

• Team Members: Maxwell O'Neill, Ethan Barichievich, William Peterson, Luke Horton
• Advisor: Prof. Joseph Katz, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: Brian Uitdenbogerd (OverrideX)

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Project Description
A blended wing drone engineered to maximize range and speed, enabling rapid medical delivery to remote and rural communities. Its low-drag aerodynamic design supports longer missions and lower production cost when compared to traditional aircraft designs. Our product will yield reliable access to medical supplies transport where infrastructure is limited or emergencies demand radip response.

• Team Members: Mohammed Haneef, Mujib Sarwari, Talal Aldulimi, Dustin Cruse
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
CryoLuna is a lunar satellite whose mission objective is to analyze the lunar poles to determine the quantity of ice beneath the lunar surface. These ice deposits are crucial for future lunar missions as the lunar ice can provide hydrogen and oxygen for life support systems for manned missions. This hydrogen and oxygen can also be repurposed into rocket fuel for missions into deep space.

• Team Members: Jordyn Beardsley, Mason Crook, Sam Eckenburg, Alan Figueroa, Blake Huckaby, Nick Johal, Shezreen Khan, Jacob Ogle, Halina Victoria Santos
• Advisor: Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: SDSU SPACE Lab

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Project Description
Future large scale exploration of Mars is limited by a lack of existing communications infrastructure. This project develops a near-term solution to this issue through a 12-satellite constellation providing surface to surface and surface to Earth capabilities for the entirety of Mars. Using a novel inclination-changing aerocapture maneuver to save fuel and provide greater surface communications coverage, this constellation was designed to launch on a single Falcon Heavy rocket.

• Team Members: Alex Aarhus, Joseph Arzillo, Raquel Berk, Sam Carmon, Annie Coker, Laasya Gangavarapu, Bella Krideman, Kendall Shaw, Parth Solanki
• Advisor: Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: SDSU SPACE Lab

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Project Description
Our senior design project develops a conceptual mission architecture to utilize the Solar Gravitational Lens (SGL) for high-resolution imaging of a potentially habitable exoplanet. The spacecraft employs advanced propulsion and thermal protection strategies to travel beyond 550 AU, where the Sun’s gravity acts as a natural telescope. The design integrates propulsion, thermal control, structural, communications, and payload subsystems to evaluate feasibility, performance margins, and mission scalability.

• Team Members: Wyatt Welch, Jayden Thomas, Arian Mazdeh, Nicklous Ngo, Luis Salas, Ethan Dueck, Bilal Kaou, Parham Khodadi, Leopoldo Gutierrez
• Advisor: Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: SDSU SPACE Lab

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Project Description
Open-source NASA Langley Research Center challenge project, with the aim to demonstrate the ability for a quad-rotor to autonomously avoid baseballs on collision courses (in real time). The project is simulation-based using the Monte Carlo method, MATLAB/Simulink, C++, Python, Unreal Engine 5, and other robotics and simulation software. The final program is ready-to-port to off-the-shelf quad-rotor drones.

• Team Members: Parham Khodadi, Ethan Dueck, Nicklous Ngo, Wyatt Welch, Luis Salas
• Advisor(s): Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University, NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)

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Project Description
Ember Eye is a light-weight, long-endurance fixed-wing UAV for search and rescue and wildfire detection. It comes equipped with a thermal imaging camera that detects the heat signatures of missing persons and hotspots of emerging wildfires in coastal and wilderness areas. Constructed from a carbon fiber internal frame and 3D-printed parts, Ember Eye is an affordable, easy-to-assemble UAV suitable for first responders.

• Team Members: Andrew McGlynn, Hayden Schmehl, Brendan Scharmann, David Maturin
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
This project proposes a next-generation, carrier-based strike fighter optimized for a 2035 Initial Operational Capability TRL greater than 6, and in production components. Utilizing a canard configuration to achieve superior low-speed handling and reduced stall velocities, the design ensures rigorous carrier suitability for CVN-68/78 operations. An all-internal weapons bay minimizes radar cross-section during high-stakes missions, including 700nm radius air-to-air combat and sea-level strike sorties. The platform delivers high-performance lethality while breaking historical cost-growth trends.

• Team Members: Logan Smith, Mika Nash, Ian McCurdy, Iris Kashirsky, Julio Bravo, Saya Kimura
• Advisor: Prof. Geoffrey Butler, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The goal is to design and manufacture a 3x3 ft portable wind shaper that is fitted with fans, able to generate various wind speeds for open-air testing. With hopes to be able to construct a realistic testing environment for research in aerial firefighting and drop dispersion effects in intense wind conditions.

• Team Members: Sam Eckenburg, Alan Figueroa, Blake Huckaby, Halina Victoria Santos
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The Europa Lander Mission is a conceptual aerospace systems design focused on delivering a stationary scientific lander to the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa. The project addresses extreme radiation, low solar flux, and cryogenic thermal conditions through integrated power, thermal, communications, structures, and avionics subsystems. As part of the project, the team will design and present a representative mission subsystem or scaled prototype to demonstrate key engineering trades and system level performance.

• Team Members: Brennan Klatt Fogleman, Joshua Toledo, Kyle Loutzenhiser, Clement Colwell, Dustin Cruse, Wyatt Charrette, Joshua Laurain, Dario Bautista, Anthony Cortes
• Advisor: Prof. Ahmad Bani Younes, San Diego State University
• Sponsor: SDSU SPACE Lab

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Project Description
Visual Anemometry infers flow speed and direction from visual motion of structures and flow-structure interaction physics. This project seeks to find the boundary conditions of visual anemometry as a tool and demonstrate it in water to assess how different fluid properties influence motion-flow relationships relative to air.

• Team Members: Laasya Gangavarapu, Kendall Shaw, Parth Solanki
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
Gridlock V2 continues the original Project GridLock research by building on the unihex grid fin geometry identified as the strongest performer. The original project examined various grid fin geometries to identify relationships between geometric parameters and grid fin performance. This project focuses on refining that proven baseline through targeted modifications such as chamfers and serrations, rather than introducing entirely new grid patterns. All variants will be 3D printed and tested in the SDSU subsonic wind tunnel across multiple freestream speeds and angles of attack to compare lift, drag, moment, and overall efficiency.

• Team Members: Jordyn Beardsley, Nicolas Guzman, Julie Johal, Ian McCurdy, Andrew Yefsky
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
We built a smoke visualization system to replace the current method inside the SDSU low speed wind tunnel lab. The project includes a controlled smoke generator, a transverse motion rig, and a smoke rake. This  improves upon the current method in use by having the smoke generation be in a closed tunnel setting and able to project smoke on every part of the model without stopping the tunnel and adjusting.

• Team Members: Joseph Arzillo, Mason Crook, Nick Johal, Jacob Ogle, Ian Plant
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
Sleipnir is a conceptual supersonic business jet designed to transport up to 10 passengers at speeds of Mach 2. The proposed aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 130,000 pounds and features a delta wing configuration with twin engines. This project aims to optimize aerodynamic performance, propulsion integration, and overall efficiency to support the reintroduction of supersonic business travel into the commercial aviation market.

• Team Members: Nicolas Guzman, Anthony Anderson, Luis Bracamontes, Hussien Aljebur
• Advisor: Prof. Geoffrey Butler, San Diego State University

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Project Description
Wind Tunnel and CFD data analysis of six different tail configurations for a fighter style aircraft to reduce size, while maintaining pitch and yaw stability. A 3-D model was created as a reference body, and then six different tails were created to be quickly removed and replaced for systematic testing. The traditional, single vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer tail design was created as the baseline to show the changes in pitching and yawing moments with the five other tail models.

• Team Members: Rogelio Estrella, Hector Granados, Cristian Hernandez, David Martinez, Joey Renfrew, Madison Tea
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The objective of this project is to design a VTOL UAV. The aircraft performs vertical takeoff and landing while achieving efficient forward flight. The goal was to develop a feasible VTOL configuration that meets mission requirements for range and overall endurance, with a primary emphasis on optimizing the transition from vertical takeoff/hover to level flight, where significant energy losses occur, while balancing performance, mass, and system complexity.

• Team Members: Majied Alfar Diaz, Lorenzo Bento, Kiersten Funk, Samir Ihjul, Endrina Zymeri
• Advisor: Prof. Roni Goldshmid, San Diego State University

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Project Description
The California 3D Printed Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) challenges teams to design, build, and fly a remote-controlled aircraft with significant 3D-printed components. Emphasizing innovation, aerodynamics, and additive manufacturing, teams must optimize weight, strength, and design to excel within competition constraints. Aircraft undergo design reviews, flight tests, and performance evaluations, including the core trial of longest flight time. The competition fosters engineering skills, teamwork, and practical application of additive manufacturing and design.

• Team Members: Gilbert Trinh, Mitchell Prokey, James Cook, Ameko Birdsall, Paul Kauvaka, Anthony Anderson, Wyatt Charette, Dario Bautista, Natalie Windsor, Rina Alkoblan 
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer - San Diego State University

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Project Description
The California 3D Printed Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) challenges teams to design, build, and fly a remote-controlled aircraft with significant 3D-printed components. Emphasizing innovation, aerodynamics, and additive manufacturing, teams must optimize weight, strength, and design to excel within competition constraints. Aircraft undergo design reviews, flight tests, and performance evaluations, including the core trial of longest flight time. The competition fosters engineering skills, teamwork, and practical application of additive manufacturing and design.

• Team Members: Joshua Cain, Alan Brockmeyer, Jack Wise, Kole Christoff, Corbin Paull, Andrew McGlynn, David Maturin, Hayden Schmehl, Brendan Scharmann
• Advisor(s): Profs. Geoffrey Butler, Scott Schafer - San Diego State University; Dr. Charles Norris

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Project Description
The California 3D Printed Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) challenges teams to design, build, and fly a remote-controlled aircraft with significant 3D-printed components. Emphasizing innovation, aerodynamics, and additive manufacturing, teams must optimize weight, strength, and design to excel within competition constraints. Aircraft undergo design reviews, flight tests, and performance evaluations, including the core trial of longest flight time. The competition fosters engineering skills, teamwork, and practical application of additive manufacturing and design.

• Team Members: Jasmine Timnak, Noah Graf, Jose Lopez, Andy Nguyen, Anand Berg, Brenna Rao, Corey Mcinvale, Brennan Fogleman , Cole Bergren, Joshua Toledo
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer - San Diego State University; Dr. Charles Norris

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Project Description
This project focused on improving the aerodynamic performance of Ron Fletcher’s Revolution 500 SC race car. The team analyzed the existing rear wing geometry, developed CAD models, and performed FEM structural analysis and CFD aerodynamic simulations. Three carbon-fiber rear wings and two front splitter flaps were designed and manufactured, along with custom mounting hardware to integrate them onto the vehicle. Performance improvements were validated through on-track testing overall reducing lap times.

• Team Members: Shaun Preston, Charlie Webb, Theodore Pierce, Jacky Liu, Sammy Parsley, Xander Vivo, Sofia Goulart, Lucas Wilkins, Grace Martin
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer - San Diego State University
• Sponsor: Ron Fletcher

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Project Description
The California 3D Printed Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) challenges teams to design, build, and fly a remote-controlled aircraft with significant 3D-printed components. Emphasizing innovation, aerodynamics, and additive manufacturing, teams must optimize weight, strength, and design to excel within competition constraints. Aircraft undergo design reviews, flight tests, and performance evaluations, including the core trial of longest flight time. The competition fosters engineering skills, teamwork, and practical application of additive manufacturing and design.

• Team Members: Caitlin Kuehn, James Romero, Loc Nguyen, Max Fromkin, Adam Asuelo, Hussein Aljebur, Iris Kashirsky, Shezreen Kahn, Saya Kimura, Joshua Laurain
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer - San Diego State University; Dr. Charles Norris

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Project Description
This sponsored project with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems focuses on designing, building, and testing an optimized aircraft propulsor that improves efficiency and reduces noise compared to a provided baseline propeller. An interdisciplinary student team developed the propulsor and a dedicated testbed to compare thrust, efficiency, and acoustic performance using off-the-shelf sensors and data acquisition systems, demonstrating measurable advancements in quiet, efficient propulsion technology.

• Team Members: ME: Patrick Ibarra, Erik Ramirez, Fraser Meagher, Jacob Schuch, Dawson Gregg
  ECE: Omar Aviles, Randy Figueroa, Isabella Segovia, Kohki Kita
  AE: Julio Bravo, Jackson Tuday, Kiara Bolden
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer, Christopher Paolini - San Diego State University; Christopher Sam - General Atomics
• Sponsor: General Atomics

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Project Description
Our multidisciplinary team developed an efficient UAV for the California Unmanned Aerial System Competition. This competition requires students to design, integrate, and demonstrate a small uncrewed aerial system capable of waypoint navigation, package drop, package delivery, target identification, and target localization. This competition is organized by California State University and Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field. This competition is points-based, and open to teams of students from universities, colleges, and community colleges. The competition will be held at the Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field on June 7th, 2025.

• Team Members: Utku Solmaz, Laith AbouHasoun, Christian Mandigma, Jonah Olsen, Gavin Rask, Rojin Osman, Riley McGregor, Jack Slaten, Ismael Villavicencio, Burak Ozhan, Cristian Rosete, Maxwell Weaver, Kyle Loutzenhiser, Peter Husch
• Advisor(s): Profs. Roni Goldshmid, Joseph Katz, Scott Schafer, Christopher Paolini - San Diego State University

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