COSMIAC 2023-24 Impact Report

2023-24

IMPACT REPORT

POWERING THE FUTURE OF SPACE IN NEW MEXICO THROUGH RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A research center of The University of New Mexico School of Engineering

WHAT WE DO COSMIAC, formerly known as the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center, was founded in 2007 as a research center of The University of New Mexico School of Engineering in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Although our project focus has evolved over the years as technology has evolved, we have continued to strive to be the nation’s center of excellence for developing technical solutions for aerospace and defense applications. And we have only strengthened our reach and mission, becoming a vital player in the economic transformation of New Mexico, creating high-tech jobs, partnering with local companies, providing unprecedented opportunities to students and advancing research in aerospace innovation. In addition, COSMIAC provides students with valuable experience in research, engineering and teamwork, preparing them for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

WE ARE CREATING A SAFER WORLD AND A STRONGER NEW MEXICO. Amount of federal contracts COSMIAC receives each year:

$50M+ 300+

Combined years of industry and academic experience of COSMIAC staffers WE ARE PREPARING STUDENTS FOR CAREERS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

COSMIAC, as part of UNM, is partnering with NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory for the Mission Concept Program, part of the University Satellite Program.

The partner universities will work in collaboration with AFRL and NASA to develop small satellites, giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience in satellite development, including systems engineering, mission design, feasibility analysis and satellite design.

30,000

SQUARE FEET OF SPACE WITH ROOM TO GROW

30+ UNM STUDENTS EMPLOYED BY COSMIAC (BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE)

COSMIAC facilities include cleanrooms, RF systems, multiple 3D printers, a machine-learning laboratory and more.

A vision for the future As one of the founding directors of COSMIAC, Christos Christodoulou returned to lead the center in January 2023 after having served more than five years as the UNM School of Engineering Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing.

With an extensive resumé of research accomplishments, publications, collaborations and expertise in RF reconfigurable antennas, Christodoulou is taking his over four decades of experience and looking toward the future in space research. To him, the possibilities are endless, not just in research, but in job creation and economic development for New Mexico.

He is excited about the future of space research and growth in the state (he is an advisory board member of NewSpace Nexus, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit space-industry accelerator, conveniently located right behind COSMIAC’s high-bay research facility).

“I want COSMIAC to be on everybody’s radar.”

Among the emerging areas that COSMIAC is pursuing are space solar power beaming, manufacturing space structures and sensors using 3D metal printing, and space systems cybersecurity.

“New Mexico [Economic Development Department] has identified aerospace as one of the state’s target industries for growth. At COSMIAC, we are creating jobs and are a pipeline for students to enter the space industry and be part of the transformation of New Mexico to a high-tech economy.”

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

MEET

CLARIZZA Morales

RESEARCH ENGINEER, GRADUATE STUDENT HOMETOWN: Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico, but she and her family moved to Albuquerque 10 years ago.

ROLE AT COSMIAC: Research engineer with the SatNav team at the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, where she develops and tests hardware and software technologies to improve the reliability and security of GNSS and the PNT infrastructure. She works on machine

learning solutions and embedded systems to mitigate threats and support the team’s mission.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AT COSMIAC? “Working at COSMIAC has given me more than technical and career skills as an engineer. I have acquired a lot of soft skills, including communicating effectively, not only with a team, but also with other engineers and professionals from diverse backgrounds and fields, including those with vast experience, higher ranks and greater knowledge in the field. I am very fortunate to be able to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies while working alongside such talented and passionate colleagues. I am very grateful to be part of the COSMIAC family where I have also found incredible, supportive, and knowledgeable mentors that have guided me in my career as an engineer and personal growth.”

FUTURE PLANS: She will receive a master of science in computer engineering in fall 2023, then continue to work as a computer engineer, especially researching the areas of image processing, computer vision and machine learning.

“At COSMIAC is where I found my true passion (computer engineering) and where I get inspired and challenged every day.”

“By working to develop the engineer within each of our students, I am confident that we can continue to make a difference in New Mexico’s STEM workforce.”

MEET

BRIAN Zufelt

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Brian Zufelt was born and raised in Albuquerque and has been with COSMIAC since he was an undergraduate at UNM in 2008.

Zufelt’s job at COSMIAC involves a wide range of responsibilities, from managing research projects to business development and beyond. “However, if I had to choose just one aspect of my job that I see as the most important, it would undoubtedly be mentoring our students,” he said. “Engineering is so much more than just a job or career; it has the potential to shape lives and society as a whole. And I truly believe that by helping our students to develop as engineers and as individuals, we are making a positive impact in New Mexico.”

He has a real commitment to maintaining the unique culture that has always part of COSMIAC — a culture that fosters creativity, innovation and a passion for engineering, and he believes it is this culture that sets COSMIAC apart. That’s one of the factors that has kept him here all these years.

After 15 years of working at COSMIAC, Zufelt is committed to helping budding engineers thrive in their fields. “I feel that it is my turn to give back to others in the same way that I have been supported and encouraged. I am genuinely excited to help others discover their passions and reach their full potential, just as COSMIAC has helped me to do.”

MEET

McKENNA Collins

RESEARCH ENGINEER, UNDERGRADUATE HOMETOWN: Born and raised in Albuquerque.

ROLE AT COSMIAC: At COSMIAC, she mostly works on simulating robots. For the past several months, she has been working on a distributed control demonstration, and most of her work has been surrounding the simulation of it. Other work she has done at COSMIAC has included hardware-based efforts in housing systems.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AT COSMIAC? “I feel like I have learned so much. In technical skills, I have learned more about additive manufacturing, machining and programming. In engineering, I have learned more about design, prototyping and systems engineering processes. In soft skills, I’ve learned more about communication, organization, perseverance and what teamwork practically looks like in a work environment.”

“I have gained wonderful resources, peers, mentors and contacts since coming to COSMIAC.” FUTURE PLANS: She will receive a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in spring 2025, then plans to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at UNM.

CONTACT US If you are interested in collaborating with us or joining our team, we invite you to get in touch to learn about the many opportunities.

Christos Christodoulou Director christos@unm.edu Brian Zufelt Deputy director brian.zufelt@cosmiac.org 2350 Alamo Ave. SE, Suite 300 Albuquerque, NM 87106 1-844-COSMIAC (267-6422)

YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL TO OUR SUCCESS! COSMIAC works on millions of dollars’ worth of projects funded mostly by federal contracts, which supports staff, research facilities and equipment. But support for is needed to provide flexible funding to ensure that students receive stipends and other vital resources they need to be success in getting hands-on research experience that only COSMIAC can provide.

GIVE TODAY AT: unmfund.org/fund/cosmiac-support

cosmiac.unm.edu