Three graduate students in the School of Aerospace Engineering have been named by NASA to the 2014 class of Space Technology Research Fellows (NSTRF).

David Blette, Sean Chait, and Adam Sidor are among the 54 student researchers culled from universities across to the country to receive NASA support for their research projects. Announcement of the honorees was made late last month by NASA.

The NSTRF program is a part of NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program (STRGP) which seeks to accelerate the development of low TRL space technologies to support future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial space sector. STRGP engages the spectrum of academic researchers,

from graduate students to senior faculty members.

Blette, of Janesville, Wisconsin received a stipend for his research,"Vehicle Staging Analysis of the Transition to Supersonic Retropropulsion during Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing." He is currently working with Prof. Bobby Braun in the Space Systems Design Lab toward a doctoral degree.

Chait, of Wallingford, Connecticut, received a stipend for his research, "Small Satellite Proximity Operations Hardware-in-the-Loop Test Bed Development" He is working with Prof. David Spencer toward a masters degree.

Sidor, of Atlanta, received a stipend to support, "Development of 

Conformal Ablative Thermal Protection Material and Fabrication Process." He is working with Prof. Bobby Braun toward a doctoral degree.

"The great thing about these fellowships is that they give students a chance to do relevant research and, then, to work in one of NASA's centers where they can learn from experts in the field," said Prof. Spencer.

"I know that with Sean, the opportunity to work with NASA scientists will put him in a very competitive position when he finishes his masters. He will be in demand."