Education

- October 21^st, 2003 – University of Pisa

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING LAUREA (Master Degree) – Full Marks.

- October, 2002-October, 2003 – CENTROSPAZIO, University of Pisa

Experimental and theoretical research activity during the thesis work, regarding the application of a multi-channel hollow cathode to an MPD thruster and the development of Matlab software for the simulation of the flow inside a multi-channel hollow cathode.

- July 12^th,1991 – LICEO SCIENTIFICO “C. SALUTATI” – Montecatini Terme

MATURITA’ SCIENTIFICA.

Professional Experiences

Oct. 2004-present, Alta s.p.a. , Ospedaletto (PI), Italy,

Laboratory Manager for the 2 metres and the 6 metres space simulators.

Project Manager for the following activities:

·         Development of Advanced Electric Propulsion Thruster Characterisation Diagnostic (ESA TRP) concerning the design, manufacturing, assembly  and testing of both a thermographic and a telemicroscopy system for thermal and erosion characterisation of  common EP thrusters in support of R&D and qualification activities.

Test Engineer for the following activities:

·         Low Power Small Hall Effect Propulsion System (ESA SME), regarding the development and characterisation of two 100W Hall thrusters operating independently and in cluster configuration.

·         Propulsion Systems for Bepi Colombo (ESA TRP) with QinetiQ as prime contractor, concerning a 2500hr endurance test of the T6 6kW Ion Thruster, candidate as primary propulsion for the ESA’s mission Bepi Colombo towards Mercury.

·         New Grid Systems for Ion Engine, (ESA TRP) with QinetiQ as prime contractor, concerning an additional 3000hr endurance test of the T6 6kW Ion Thruster as a prosecution of the Propulsion Systems for Bepi Colombo activity including the assessment of an innovative technique for the extension of the thruster grid’s lifetime by Boron-Nitride coating.

·         Development of a Thrust Steering Device (TSD) for Hall Effect thrusters with Snecma Moteurs as prime contractor, mainly concerning the performance and endurance characterisation of an engineering model (PPS-1350 2kW HET) equipped with the thrust steering device for a 100hr firing test campaign.

·         Development of a Double Stage Hall Effect Thruster, (ESA TRP) with Snecma Moteurs as prime contractor, mainly concerning the performance characterisation of a 3kW Hall thruster laboratory model developed by Snecma.

·         High Power Electric Propulsion Testing (HPEPT) Program, (ESA TRP) with EADS-Astrium as partner, mainly concerning the thruster (EM) characterisation and a 2000hr endurance test for the EQM ROS-2000 2kW Hall Effect Thruster upgrading the control software of the facility/thruster to reliably withstand the endurance test.

Jan.-Sep. 2004, Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Pisa, Italy,

Project engineer for the following activities

·         Advanced electromagnetic characterisation of an high power Magneto-plasma-dynamic thruster (MPDT) in collaboration with RFX consortium under an ASI contract, concerning mainly the set up of the test, facility control during the test and data post-processing.

·         Development of a Matlab software for the simulation of the flow inside the channel of a Hollow Cathode.

Languages

ITALIAN: Mother tongue

ENGLISH: Fluent both spoken and written.

FRENCH: Spoken poor, reading sufficient.

Computer Skills

- Microsoft Office

- XHTML

- AutoCAD

- Matlab

- MathCAD

- Pro-Engineer

- ANSYS

Thesis and publications

- Co-author, “The IV10 Space Simulator for High Power Electric Propulsion Testing: Performance Improvements and Operation Status”, International Electric Propulsion Conference, Florence, Italy, 2007.

- Co-author, “Experimental Characterisation of the HT-100 Hall Thruster in Twin Engine Cluster Configuration”, International Electric Propulsion Conference, Florence, Italy, 2007.

- Co-author, “Ultraviolet Tomography of Kink Dynamics in a Magneto-plasma-dynamic Thruster”, Physics of plasmas, 12, 093301 (2005).

- Co-author, “Recent Advancement in MPD Technology at Centrospazio”, Space Propulsion Conference, Chia Laguna, Italy, 2004.

- Co-author, “Centrospazio Progress on MPDT Hollow Cathodes”, 40^th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA, July 2004, AIAA-2004-3429.

- Author, “Theoretical and Experimental Study of a Multi-channel Hollow Cathode for an MPD Thruster”, Laurea Thesis, University of Pisa, October, 2003.

Hobbies and Interests

Reading Books, Playing Drums, Woodworking, Electronics.