Ashley Shaw

Experience

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  Project Sunride

  Oct 2020 - Jul 2024

  After the success of Karman Mini I was promoted to lead the Design Team of Karman Alpha for the final portion of its two-year development. I helped ensure all parts of the rocket were ready for launch (recovery system, separation system, payload, avionics). I contributed improvements to the recovery system that increased reliability and simplicity. Before the launch of KA the recovery system was put to the test on the Test Rocket 2.5 (TR 2.5). This allowed us to verify the system worked and make adjustments before the launch of Karman Alpha.I performed static structural analysis using Ansys of parts including the launch rail guides to ensure they would withstand the forces experienced during launch.This experience built on what I gained leading the Karman Mini team and helped increase my confidence, communication and time management skills. Show less

  • Karman Series Lead (Karman Bravo)

    Sept 2023 - Jul 2024

  • Karman Alpha Design and Recovery Lead

    Dec 2022 - Sept 2023

  • Karman Alpha Design Team Member

    Sept 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Karman Mini Lead

    Sept 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Karman Alpha Avionics Team Member

    Sept 2021 - Sept 2022

  • UKSEDS Avionics Team Member

    Oct 2020 - Aug 2021
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  The University of Sheffield

  Jun 2022 - Jul 2022

  Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

  Designed a modular and transportable rocketry launch rail to be used by Project Sunride. The final design comprised of a towable trailer and a rail with a length of 60 feet (18m). The structure included a hydraulic cylinder to lift the rail into its vertical position and horizontal supports for extra stability.The design focused on using off-the-shelf components and minimising the amount of welding needed to save costs and reduce complexity.

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  European Space Agency - ESA

  Aug 2022 - Sept 2022

  ESA Academy's CubeSat Summer School 2022

  I had a great opportunity to attend a month-long summer school where I learned about Cube Satellites from a range of experts in the European space sector. I got an insight into each subsystem of a CubeSat and then worked in a large multidisciplinary team to design a two-satellite wildfire detection mission using concurrent engineering. My sub-team specialized in the structure and configuration of the satellites.These small satellites are a new and affordable way for companies and researchers to access space. This amazing month-long experience allowed me to experience lectures on a range of topics given by a total of 55 trainers. I experienced hands-on activities like working with ESAT (an educational CubeSat model) and conducting satellite vibration testing to verify the structure fulfills the requirements of the launcher. Show less

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  Sheffield Space Initiative Society

  Oct 2022 - Jul 2023

  UKSEDS National Rocketry Championship Design and Recovery Mentor

  Mentored two of Sheffield's 2022/2023 UKSEDS National Rocketry Championship teams with the design and recovery system of their rockets.Used the skills and experience gained from the 2021 competition and those from leading the development of Karman Mini.One of the two teams finished in the top 3.

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  CERN

  Jun 2024 - Aug 2024

  Summer Student

  Worked in the Cryogenics Laboratory on an experiment to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion of a lead-stainless steel composite for use in the Future Circular Collider's (FCC) ALLEGRO detector.Involved experimentation with strain gauges as well as calculations and simulations ran using Ansys.

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  Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd

  Sept 2024 - now

  Graduate Manufacturing Engineer

  Working in the Production Engineering department to support the manufacture of pyrogenics for use in ejection seats.