This summer at Airborne Systems wasn’t just about coding—it literally took me to new heights. One of the most unforgettable moments was dropping from 14,000 feet during a skydiving trip.In my pockets, I carried a suite of sensors—exactly the same ones we use in our test drops—measuring downward velocity, tracking orientation using quaternions, GPS location and monitoring acceleration across each axis while also keeping an eye on height above sea level. It’s fascinating to watch how quickly these numbers change as you free-fall at speeds of 120 mph and how every slight movement shifts your orientation and acceleration.These metrics weren’t just for fun; they are the exact same variables we analyze during cargo test drops and orbital re-entry simulations. This experience led directly into my work over the summer.One of my key projects was a Video Synchronization and Data Analysis Application that automated test analysis for cargo drops, allowing engineers on-site to interpret data within minutes instead of returning back to the office. This meant they could adjust the conditions for the next test on the fly.I even had the opportunity to take this application into the field for the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dragonfly project, where I helped streamline data analysis in a cutting-edge research environment. Applying these principles of automation and analysis in real-world settings was an incredible experience.Throughout the summer, I developed over 9,300 lines of code across multiple projects and six executable applications, focusing on data analysis, project management, and test operations. These efforts directly contributed to projected annual savings of $232,109. A special thanks to Thomas Mackey for his guidance and mentorship, which helped me take these projects further than I could have imagined.Now, I’m making the 2,300-mile drive back to Detroit to finish my last semester at Wayne State University. But stay tuned—my next post will be big news about where I’m heading next in my career. 🚀hashtag#Internship hashtag#SoftwareEngineering hashtag#Python hashtag#CSharp hashtag#AirborneSystems hashtag#NASA hashtag#OrbitalReEntry hashtag#Dragonfly
Our #WayneState community