Space flight research allows Alex Davis to develop his own trajectory for the future

Alex Davis, a third-year student in aerospace engineering, is conducting research through assistant professor Simone Servadio’s SPACE Lab. Alex’s experience, in his own words, reflects the high-level opportunities available to undergraduates in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

‘Like Google Maps for spacecraft’

“I’m working on a project using GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool), a NASA open access computing software, to better design trajectories for deep space missions and fly-bys of planets. My research proposes a method that bridges the gap from low fidelity initial trajectories design into high fidelity mission-ready models that allow for less fuel to be used prior to arrival on deep-space missions. Supported by the SPACE Lab, I submitted my work for the American Astronautical Society/American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Specialist Conference in Vancouver, Canada, where I will present my work in July.

Trajectory design is how the Artemis II mission trajectory was planned, which just recently flew around the dark side of the moon and then returned to Earth. It’s about finding the best route to a location based on a mission objective, like Google Maps for spacecraft.”

The value of mentorship

“I was introduced to graduate student David Knapick through SPACE Lab, and he has helped me tremendously throughout my research. The knowledge he brings to the project is way above mine, but at the end of the day we are both students looking to solve problems through research.
Working closely with a graduate student is great because they are one step closer to you as an undergrad student, and a great bridge between you and faculty. I plan to keep working with this project right through the fall of 2027, when I expect to graduate.”

A network of support – past, present, future

“I’m partly supported by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium and the Iowa NASA EPSCoR program (the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), and they will be funding me in the summer of 2026. I also receive support from Boeing, and my industry contact there is Iowa State aerospace engineering alum Daniel Nelson (B.S. ’05), who works as the guidance, navigation and controls lead engineer with the Starliner commercial spacecraft program. Through their student fellowship program Boeing set me up with Dr. Servadio’s lab because I had reached out to them, and they knew I was interested in their research. I also did an eight-month co-op with Collins Aerospace, where I supported the KC-135 military avionics team as a software intern. This summer I will be working at the NASA Ames Research Center, with the Flight Dynamics Team in California. I will be helping them design a lunar browsing tool that ties in with future plans for moon missions. It will incorporate trajectory design, which is what I’m working on for my research.

The people who are available to work with you at Iowa State allow you to accelerate your undergrad experience. For me, it has helped shift my perspective for the work I do outside the research lab. The mentorship I have received through this experience has profoundly shaped my educational journey.”