Pioneering Sustainable Aviation
We harness advancements in aircraft technology for more effective transportation and remote sensing.
Complex robotics for a cleaner orbit
With $2.5 million from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, CITRIS Aviation Director Ricardo Sanfelice and team are enhancing safety and sustainability in space with “digital twins” — detailed virtual models that will replicate spacecraft systems.
The project will create advanced control algorithms to perform complex tasks such as clearing space debris and refueling and repairing spacecraft. These simulations reduce costs, mitigate risks and minimize the environmental effects of physical testing.
New frontiers in urban air transportation
In April, CITRIS Aviation co-organized the NASA-UC Technical Summit at the NASA Ames Research Center to explore sustainable urban air mobility (UAM). Academic, civic and industry experts connected for a full day of discussion, examining the potential of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology to reshape transportation.
The gathering also featured presentations from top teams participating in the 2023–24 CITRIS Aviation Prize, a challenge for UC students to design intercampus air travel.
Diversifying the drone pilot workforce
More than $2 million from a recent $71.1 million federal climate resilience grant will support education programs at UC Santa Cruz, including efforts to diversify the drone workforce through the CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER).
The funds will cover costs for undergraduates seeking drone pilot certification, with training centered on environmental applications.
This spring, CIDER welcomed 40 students into its Drone Pilot Training Program, which now offers an agriculture track.
From CITRIS HQ to the stars
UC Berkeley alum Warren “Woody” Hoburg returned to CITRIS's headquarters in February to deliver a talk, co-hosted by the Berkeley Space Center, about his path from CITRIS researcher Pieter Abbeel's lab to the stars.
While back in Sutardja Dai Hall, Hoburg caught up with CITRIS Director Alexandre Bayen — a member of his dissertation committee — to discuss recent aerospace engineering advances.
“The CITRIS program has unlocked a world of possibilities. I am excited to collaborate with students and partners to pave the way towards a sustainable future through innovative solutions.”
— Grace Gu, UC Berkeley assistant professor of mechanical engineering and 2021 CITRIS Seed Award recipient
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Advancing education and research with drone tech
The sky’s the limit for Becca Fenwick, co-founder and director of CIDER.
A marine geologist by education, she now strengthens wildland management, ecology research and workforce development as leader of an ever-evolving drone education program that focuses on groups historically underserved in tech fields.
Under her guidance, UC Santa Cruz was the first UC campus selected for the FAA’s UAS Collegiate Training Initiative, which recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers with drone technology.