2009 Space Engineering Thesis Prize awarded to Daniel Wilson
The Engineers Australia National Committee in Space Engineering (NCSpE) would like to announce that Mr Daniel Wilson has been awarded the 2009 Space Engineering Thesis Prize. Daniel completed his thesis, titled "A low cost autopilot for small unmanned aerial vehicles", at the University of Sydney under the supervision of Dr Ali Haydar Goktogan from the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR).
Through his thesis project, Daniel was able to design, analyse, code, build and successfully flight test a complete low cost autopilot sub-system. Such autopilots have application in both terrestrial systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and hypersonic test vehicles, as well as autonomous space systems, such as launch vehicles and spacecraft platforms.
With much initiative, Daniel was able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and capabilities required to not just perform a theoretical paper study, but take the paper study and convert into &####39;real&####39; flight hardware. The culmination of his project involved a small UAV flying autonomous point to point missions. Daniel clearly displayed a firm grasp on such diverse fields as control theory, simulation, aerodynamics, electronics, construction, integration and test.
Daniel will be presented with his prize, a $2000 cheque and framed certificate, at the Engineers Australia Electrical College Annual Awards Dinner in Perth in May.
