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Dr Angelo N Grubisic PhD (Advanced Propulsion), MSc, BEng (Hons)

Lecturer in Astronautics and Advanced Propulsion

Unfortunately Dr Angelo Grubisic passed away in August 2019. The below information remains out of respect to Dr Grubisic and his family.

Dr Angelo N Grubisic is Lecturer in Astronautics and Advanced Propulsion within Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton and is a specialist in the development and testing of advanced propulsion systems for spacecraft. Dr. Grubisic is also a specialist in selective laser melting (SLM) as applied to additive manufacturing (AM).

Dr Grubisic joined the Astronautics group at the University of Southampton in 2013. Prior to this he was a consultant AIT and Systems Engineer for QinetiQ, responsible for the development of the T6 Solar Electric Propulsion System on the +£1.1bn ESA BepiColumbo Mission to Mercury where he was involved in the development of several systems including propellant flow control systems, power processing and control units and gridded ion thrusters. Over the last 8 years, Dr Grubisic has worked extensively with the European Space Agency and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the development of advanced propulsion technologies. He provides an applied systems approach with working industry engineering knowledge and methodologies.

Dr. Grubisic collaborates closely with industry, including Surrey Satellite Technology Limited in the development of resistojet propulsion systems.

SSTL-T50 Resistojet — SSTL-T50 Resistojet (courtesy of SSTL and JPL)

MPD thruster (courtesy of SSTL and JPL)

Research

Teaching

Contact

Besides conducting leading research in the fields of spacecraft propulsion and materials science, Dr. Grubisic also manages the David Fearn Electric Propulsion laboratory, which contains a 2m x 4.5m thermal vacuum test facility.

Fig 1 The David Fearn Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Fig 1 The David Fearn Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Research interests

All-electric spacecraft development - Associated technology development and systems engineering necessary for the development of all-electric propulsion spacecraft for orbit-raising and station keeping
Gridded ion thruster lifetime - Investigation of high energy ion production by hollow cathodes as a life limiting mechanism in gridded ion thrusters
Resistojets - Development of very high temperature (+3500K) resistojet thrusters for spacecraft reaction control systems to enable all-electric spacecraft
Hollow cathode thrusters - Investigating plasma acceleration phenomenon in hollow cathodes as a possible alternative to chemical propulsion systems
Selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing for high temperature materials research and space applications

Fig 2 SSTL-T50 Resistojet

Proba-2 resistojet system — Fig 2 Proba-2 resistojet system

Fig 3 Selective laser melted (SLM) high temperature heat exchanger component — Fig 3 Selective laser melted high temperature heat exchanger component

Fig 4 Surface roughness characterisation scan of additively manufactured heat exchanger — Fig 4 Surface roughness characterisation scan

Fig 5 Surface characterisation scans of additively manufactured heat exchangers — Fig 5 Surface characterisation scans

Fig 5 Surface characterisation scans of additively manufactured heat exchangers — Fig 5 Surface characterisation scans

Group Design Projects

Dr. Grubisic also leads a number of 4th year Group Design Projects including the Icarus World Record Wingsuit Project.

Aim of the Icarus Project

The aim of the Icarus Project is to develop the world’s first scientifically engineered wingsuit to break current records and set additional world records for human flight. These records include the highest altitude and highest speed wingsuit jump, whilst traveling furthest total distance in the longest ever wingsuit flight.

Fig 8 Dr. Angelo Grubisic during wingsuit BASE jump training

Objectives of the project

The objectives of the project are to:

Inspire students to consider careers in STEM subjects
Provide a unique applied learning experience for students as part of a dedicated team, representing the university at an international level
Make significant scientific advances in aerodynamics and testing whilst pushing the boundaries of technical accomplishment in wingsuits
To engage the public and showcase the university research outputs on technical, sensational yet relatable subject

Fig 9 Dr Grubisic is an experienced wingsuit BASE jumper and wingsuit pilot seen here flying above the Algarve — Fig 9 Dr Grubisic is an experienced wingsuit BASE jumper

Fig 10 Students performing experimental wind tunnel tests with Dr. Grubisic — Fig 10 Students performing experimental wind tunnel tests

Fig 10 Students performing experimental wind tunnel tests with Dr. Grubisic — Fig 10 Students performing experimental wind tunnel tests

Research group

SESA3005 Astronautics III
SESA6036 Spacecraft Engineering and Design

Fig 6 Air breathing and rocket propulsion systems

SESA2023 Spacecraft Engineering and Design

Dr. Grubisic teaches knowhow based spacecraft systems engineering, life support systems, astronaut physiology and space adaptation syndrome, launch vehicles and in-space propulsion.

Fig 7 Subjects covered in SESA 3025

Dr Angelo N Grubisic
Building 37, Room 4107 University of Southampton Southampton S017 1BJ United Kingdom

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