Trupti Mahendrakar

Trupti Mahendrakar, Ph.D. is a PhD candidate specializing in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. Currently serving as a PhD Research Assistant focusing on space robotics and astrodynamics, Trupti has successfully developed an autonomous multi-cycle farming system under micro-gravity conditions with funding from NASA. As a Satcom Systems Engineer at Collins Aerospace, Trupti enabled antenna testing and developed a dynamic GNC model-based simulator. Additional experience includes leading a team under a U.S. Air Force contract at the ORION Laboratory and performing optical navigation for the Mars Sample Return mission at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previous roles include work as an Aerospace Engineer at Delta Air Lines and a Flight Controls Engineer Intern at National Aerospace Laboratories, along with software development during an internship at Techsparx. Trupti holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is expected to complete the PhD program by 2025.