Graduates Andrew Strange (Computer Engineering, 2007) and Josh Zapf (Physics Engineering, 2004) were featured in the Spring, 2007 issue of the Indiana Space Grant Observer. Both won monetary awards for their presentations at the 20th Annual Conference on Small Satellites, held in August, 2006 at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

Space Science

What do TU Computer Science and Engineering and Space Science have to do with each other?

A lot, with the help of the NASA's Indiana Space Grant Consortium, the Air Force Research Labs, and Taylor's own Science Research Training Program (SRTP). Computer Science and Computer Engineering students at Taylor have designed control systems, calibrated and tested particle measuring systems, and developed data processing algorithms for analyzing atomic particles recorded in space. They have worked on satellite projects sponsored by NASA, the Air Force, and Taylor's own, privately funded nanosatellite program. Contracts awarded to Taylor include work on such programs as the Medium Energy Ion Mass Spectrometer (IMS HI), Magnetospheric Atmosphere X-ray Imaging Experiment (MAXIE), the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the Source Loss/Cone Energetic Particle Spectrometer (SEPS).

The SEPS program, currently in progress, involves data collected from a $3 million instrument that launched in 1995 as part of NASA's International Solar Terrestrial Physics Program. The main purpose of the SEPS instrument has been to measure electrons, ions, and neural energetic particles. Taylor faculty and students are in the processing of developing on-line, web-accessible data processing algorithms.

Taylor's involvement with space science dates back to at least 1972, when famed rocket engineer Dr. Werhner von Braun, designer of the Saturn V rockets that propelled the Apollo space program, visited Taylor. In addressing the students, Dr. von Braun called for a "united front" (by Christians) to work at reconciliation between science and religion. Taylor has taken Dr. von Braun's words to heart. Taylor's Science Research Training Program (SRTP) was established and is now administered by the Taylor University Center for Research and Innovation.

The SRTP has enabled students and faculty to present at national conferences. In August, 2006, Computer Engineering graduate Andrew Strange (2007) and Engineering Physics graduate Josh Zapf (2004) were honored with scholarship awards at the 20th Annual Conference on Small Satellites held at Utah State University in Logan, Utah for their presentations for controlling satellites. According to Andrew, "The faculty here make research a priority, but in a different way than Prof's at state schools. They put the student first in research, and do research for the sake of teaching and applying, not merely having their name published."