Position Title
Keller Pathway Fellow
Shreya Chandra
Shreya Chandra is a second year undergraduate double majoring in aerospace science and engineering and mechanical engineering, with plans to minor in computer science and pursue a Certificate of Entrepreneurship. She is a spring, summer and fall 2023 NASA Goddard engineering intern as well as a member of the spring 2023 NASA L'SPACE Mission Concept Academy and summer 2023 NASA L'SPACE NPWEE (NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience) programs.
Shreya recently participated in the UC Davis E-SEARCH program, through which she created a 2D alpha particle radiation simulation. She is the co-founder/co-president of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at UC Davis and chair for the UC Davis chapter of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics).
Outside of her academic pursuits, she has been a competitive figure skater for the past 13 years and is an avid bookworm.
In a nutshell, describe your project or venture.
With a second space race on the horizon, the need for spacecraft propellant will climb drastically in the next decade. This need draws from the limited resources on earth—resources that cost a large sum of money to transfer to space. Smaller space missions are frequently decommissioned prior to their expiration date due to lack of funding, public interest or mission completion. Oftentimes, they are simply left in space, due to the extensive resources required to dismantle them and safely return the pieces back to earth.
One leftover, and therefore wasted, component is fuel. This can instead be harnessed to be repurposed and reused to power other spacecraft. We offer a liquid propellant transfer and uniform storage service for future spacecraft, utilizing NASA’s Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion (SSEP) Technology Suite for global aerospace companies and agencies that reduce the weight and costs associated with vehicle launches, as well as improving propellant usage efficiency. The Universal Propellant Energy Transfer and Storage Service (UPETSS) is intended to be the first step towards having compatible, transferable, and uniform technologies in space that can be accessed by space agencies across the globe.
What’s important about your research or project—and where do you hope to take it?
Upon implementation of UPETSS, we anticipate transformative outcomes within the next decade, culminating in the establishment of a pioneering service—a uniform transfer system in space, rendering fuel reusable and recyclable.
The expected milestones include a substantial decrease in the leftover propellant and oxidizer rates; widespread adoption of UPETSS technology on a commercial, national and international scale; a significant reduction in monetary costs associated with spacecraft development; and a proactive approach to curbing “space trash” beyond earth’s atmosphere.
Moreover, this initiative aligns with sustainability objectives, creating the capacity to refuel spacecraft in orbit and thereby extending the life of missions. The ripple effect includes fostering greater collaboration between space agencies and private companies, paving the way for a more interconnected and sustainable future in space exploration. In essence, this proposal is not just a roadmap for technological advancement; it’s a blueprint for a future where space is both accessible and environmentally responsible.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
I’m passionate about all things space! In particular, I’m fascinated by bioastronautics/space architecture, spacecraft engineering and propulsion.
What was the most important thing you learned at the Entrepreneurship Academy?
The importance of having a solid business plan. As an engineering student, this is definitely an important area for me to focus on beyond the technical aspects of my venture.
What is the most unexpected advice you received from a mentor?
“If not now, then when?” Why wait to pursue what we want most out of life? The best time to start is now.
How will participation in the Big Bang! competition and workshops help you as an aspiring entrepreneur?
Participating in the Big Bang! is providing me with the tools and skillset to further develop my business and potentially bring my idea to fruition.
How will your experiences as a Keller Pathway Fellow help you to change the world?
By providing the building blocks to further develop our budding space economy. The sky is no longer the limit.