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Chloe Downs

Title: Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Vehicle Design and Mission Analysis

Projects: Campaign Analysis Team

Study Topics/Expertise: Aerospace Systems Engineering, Systems-of-Systems Engineering, Campaign and Mission Modeling and Analysis, Human Space Exploration, DEIA

Chloe has worked in the Space Mission Analysis Branch since September 2022. She came to NASA from Georgia Tech, where she received her Master’s degree in 2019 and her PhD in May 2023. Her dissertation was entitled “A Methodology for the Inclusion of Uncertainty in Space Logistics Campaign Planning and Optimization.” She also received her B.S. in Astronomy-Physics from the University of Virginia in 2017.

Additionally, Chloe serves as one of the co-leads for Allies and Advocates for Women, NASA Langley’s women’s employee resource group (ERG).

Education/Professional Experience

  • B.S. in Astronomy-Physics with a minor in Drama from the University of Virginia
  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech
  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech

Publications

Google Scholar

  • Spaceflight Logistics Approach to Modeling Novel Vehicle Concepts (SciTech 2023; Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 2023)
  • A Taxonomy of Uncertainty for Space Exploration Campaigns (ASCEND 2022)
  • Probabilistic Modeling of a Three-Stage Human Landing System Architecture (ASCEND 2021)
  • MinXSS CubeSat On Orbit Performance and Capabilities (2018 Triennial Earth-Sun Summit)
  • CubeSat on-orbit temperature comparison to thermal-balance-tuned-model predictions (Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 2018)
  • MinXSS-1 CubeSat on-orbit pointing and power performance: the first flight of the Blue Canyon technologies XACT 3-axis attitude determination and control system (Journal of Small Satellites, 2017)