Emerson Vargas Niño
Engineer and Applied Researcher
Emerson Vargas Niño is an engineer and applied researcher whose work spans mathematical modeling, optimization and software development. At AstroForge, he develops guidance, navigation and control (GNC) systems for deep-space spacecraft. Previously, he designed, tested and operated GNC systems for 45+ spacecraft at SFL Missions Inc.. His work also includes propulsion development for hybrid and liquid rockets.
Core Experience
- Delivered the GNC system for AstroForge’s first deep-space asteroid-mining spacecraft from concept to flight-ready in nine months as one of three GNC engineers (launched in 2025). Now building its asteroid-rendezvous successor
- Design and implement robust GNC flight software in Rust from algorithm development through software- and hardware-in-the-loop testing, while also developing the Python/C++ simulation environment used for its validation
- Architected a Python/C++ 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulator running flight software closed-loop at 380-990× real time with deterministic replay
- Implemented and validated a multiplicative extended Kalman filter in Rust for spacecraft orientation estimation, handling asynchronous and delayed star-tracker/gyro measurements, online bias estimation, and fault recovery. Achieved error below 0.055° in 99.7% of cases
- Built a real-time least-squares/null-space optimizer in Rust, allocating torque across redundant reaction wheels to minimize peak speeds and avoid nonlinear regimes without altering net spacecraft torque. Preserved nominal torque tracking across randomized wheel dropouts
- Precomputed smooth gimbal motor-command surfaces via constrained optimization of an underconstrained mapping for O(1) commands with low motor travel for small pointing updates. Calibrated hardware with iterative least squares, cutting pointing error 46% on average
- Built a real-time gimbaled-thruster control allocator in Rust, mapping maneuver and reaction-wheel momentum-unloading commands to feasible pointing directions and firing times. Used momentum feedback to estimate and correct center-of-mass error
- Designed and tested GNC systems and conducted on-orbit operations for 45+ spacecraft in 10+ missions as one of five GNC engineers
- Owned the GNC hardware lifecycle for 35+ spacecraft. Built test systems cutting acceptance/calibration time 60%, with 100% on-orbit success
- Commissioned GNC systems for 20+ spacecraft through conjunction assessment, collision avoidance, formation flying, and calibration
- Developed on-orbit calibration methods and automated GNC and data-processing tasks, cutting average commissioning time by 40%
- Built a Python tool to devise deorbit strategies for future spacecraft, validated against orbital-decay data from 40+ satellites
- Optimized attitude trajectories and sensor placement with a Python framework, raising useful annual observations by 35% on 6 spacecraft
- Led 5+ members to execute projects, including pump CFD simulations and cooling jacket design, to aid a turbopump design
- Developed and deployed an attitude-trajectory algorithm in C on two spacecraft, raising star-tracker availability 30% during target tracking
- Built a reaction-wheel momentum set-point optimizer. Cut average pointing error 10% and raised momentum margin 20% on 10 spacecraft
- Led deployable solar-panel qualification and acceptance, diagnosing and resolving failures, with 100% on-orbit success for 15+ spacecraft
- Managed 5+ member team through 3 cold flow tests and a 35-second hot fire test on a 1,000 lb thrust LOX-kerosene engine
- Led U of T’s first liquid rocket engine project, leading a 14-person team through detailed design of a 110-lbf N2O-ethanol engine, from project inception to completion within a 10-month timeframe
- Built and benchmarked a Python simulator coupling propulsion and 3-DOF flight dynamics . Numerical optimization cut vehicle mass 15%
- Led international team of 10+ students from two universities in designing a 1,900 lbf thrust N2O-ethanol liquid rocket engine for a rocket aimed at reaching space (390,000 ft apogee), from the team’s inception to completion of the preliminary design phase
- Led a team of 20+ to develop a 1,400-lbf N2O-paraffin hybrid engine powering a rocket to 21,000 ft and a national competition win
- Developed a flight-proven two-phase N2O injector using analytical models and a modified CFD solver, achieving 3.9% and 3.6% average mass-flow error against experiments, respectively. First-authored an AIAA paper used in a Stanford graduate rocket-propulsion course
- Modeled structural loads and automated a CFD workflow on a supercomputer . Cut tank length by 12" to meet a 2× safety factor
- Built MATLAB spacecraft simulation of magnetorquer-thruster LQR control . Halved detumbling time versus magnetic-only control
- Designed and numerically optimized a regeneratively cooled aerospike nozzle with thermal and thrust models validated against CFD
- Supported the life cycle of 5+ mobile computing and robotics solutions, encompassing design, prototyping, ensuring compliance with program requirements and completion of test procedures, alongside providing software support for the requirements management tool
- Led 6-person team to develop 5 IoT solutions, including a meeting productivity hub deployed across Zebra campuses worldwide
- Designed and built hardware and software for interactive electronic art installation at Nuit Blanche, attracting 7,000+ visitors in 12 hours
- Organized and conducted statistical analysis on distracted driving video & numerical data, co-authoring final report for industry partner
- Designed, analyzed, manufactured & tested components for 4 rockets, and aided 3 successful hot-fire and cold-flow test campaigns
Additional Experience
- Invited member due to exceptional contributions, shaping organizational strategy and implementing innovative ideas at Pueblo Science
- Facilitated team in overcoming challenges in the design, testing, construction and launch of hybrid and liquid rockets
- Top-requested STEM instructor, developing & delivering engaging classes to 100+ grade 5-9 students in remote Indigenous communities
- Creating coding and electronics STEM curriculum modules for hundreds of rural grade 7-11 students across the Global South
- Developed and delivered weekly, hands-on STEM programs to 30+ students aged 8-12 from marginalized low-income communities, earning recognition as top 10% facilitator; chosen as interim program facilitator to lead 10+ volunteers to deliver engaging programming
- Delivered STEM talks and workshops to hundreds of youth at venues including Ontario Science Centre, Science Rendezvous, TEDxYouth
- Managed and expanded a sponsorship portfolio valued over $110K USD in cash contributions and $11M USD in in-kind donations
- Led visibility campaign, boosting social media engagement by 4000%, contributing to a $26K USD yearly funding referendum success
Projects
Under Development
Education
- GPA: 3.95/4.00
- Fully-funded tuition & stipend from UofT Student Fellowship
- Thesis: Microsatellite Development, Testing and On-Orbit Operation
- Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Robert E. Zee
Click to view Thesis Abstract
A recent rise in the number of small spacecraft has motivated the development of the DEFIANT microsatellite platform at the Space Flight Laboratory. This thesis details the development of multiple spacecraft subsystems for the DEFIANT platform, including the guidance, navigation and control, propulsion and deployable solar panel subsystems. The testing process for spacecraft hardware is presented and used in the qualification and acceptance of several subsystems for the DEFIANT platform. Finally, developments in the on-orbit operation of the guidance, navigation and control subsystem are detailed and used in the commissioning of several spacecraft. The work outlined in this thesis was used in the design, analysis, testing, and commissioning of over 20 spacecraft for the Space Flight Laboratory, supporting its competitive advantage in the microsatellite world market.
- Streams: Mechatronics, Solid Mechanics & Design
- Thesis: Optimal Hybrid Attitude Control for Detumbling Spacecraft
- Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Christopher Damaren
Click to view Thesis Abstract
The B-Dot controller, a traditional method of detumbling is revisited and compared against a recently developed hybrid method which utilizes a magnetic-impulsive controller developed through modern optimal control theory in order to compensate for inherent uncontrollability found in purely magnetic control. A number of simulations were performed in order to compare the performance of the two systems over a range of conditions including differing orbital altitudes and methods for impulse application time.
- Capstone: Hybrid Rocket Aerospike Nozzle Design
- Capstone Supervisors: Prof. Masayuki Yano and Mr. Adam Trumpour
Click to view Capstone Abstract
UTAT has requested the investigation of aerospike nozzle due to their proven efficiency advantages over conventional bell nozzles. Despite their inherent advantages, UTAT has been reluctant to explore this concept in the past due to significant challenges associated with their implementation. In specific, aerospike nozzles are notoriously challenging to cool and integrate with engine assemblies. This paper presents a detailed method for the design and analysis of an aerospike nozzle following the example of a nozzle designed for use on a small scale test stand. Processes for judiciously choosing the engine parameters, designing the nozzle contour, applying cooling analysis, optimizing the contour, completing the mechanical design, and analyzing an aerospike nozzle using modern computational methods are explained in detail. In addition, a cost, safety, and environmental analysis is performed for the example nozzle. Furthermore, a comparison of aerospike engine performance versus that of a conventional bell nozzle reveals that a scaled up version of the example test stand nozzle could be expected to be operate with an average efficiency of approximately 4% better than a the conventional bell nozzle currently in use by UTAT’s flagship rocket, Defiance.
Skills & Interests
Computer Languages
Rust, Python, C++, C, MATLAB, Bash/Shell, $\LaTeX$
Languages
Fluent: Spanish, English
Novice: German, French
Tools
GNU/Linux, STK, OpenFOAM, ANSYS (Fluent and Mechanical), SolidWorks, Pointwise, Git, high-performance computingFabrication
Lathe & mill (3 George Brown College certificates), soldering, 3D printing, composite layups (carbon fiber & fiberglass)Interests
Continuing education courses, backcountry backpacking, scuba diving (PADI certified), rock climbing, skateboarding, swimming, running, meditating, photography, violin, guitar, world citizen (visited 30+ countries, lived in 6)Contact
Interested in collaborating or sharing ideas about aerospace, STEM education, art or something else? I’m all ears! Drop me a message, and let’s start a conversation.