Dr. Saroj Kumar

CSIL Associate Director Research Engineer

Contact

5000 Technology Drive NW
Olin B. King Technology Hall
Room N106
Huntsville, AL 35899
Campus Map

256.824.7209
saroj.kumar@uah.edu

Biography

Dr. Saroj Kumar is a mission designer for advanced propulsion systems at the Propulsion Research Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). His current research focuses on mission design, high-fidelity trajectory analysis and modeling and simulation of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) engine system design using Model Based Systems Engineering. In his current role, he performs critical mission analysis for deep-space robotic missions and crewed missions to Mars. Dr. Kumar is currently leading the development of a mission and spacecraft simulation model called the ‘Spacecraft Integrated System Model’ for NTP powered interplanetary missions. His current research also focuses on determining a solution space for NTP engine parameters for NASA’s Flagship and New Frontiers class robotic exploration missions to the outer solar system.

Honors & Awards

  • Emerging Space Leader Award, International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Paris, 2023.
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award, UAH College of Engineering, National Engineer's Week, Huntsville, 2023.
  • Global top 20 outstanding young space and satellite professional “20 Under 35", Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), New York, 2022.
  • Best interactive research presentation award (Category C: Technology), International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Paris, 2022.
  • The Student of the Year Award (Graduate)-2021, AIAA Greater Huntsville Section, 2021.
  • Best student paper award at Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS), 2021.

Recent Publications

  • S. Kumar, L.D. Thomas, J.T. Cassibry, Application of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion for Sustainable Cislunar Exploration, Acta Astronautica (2024), doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.11.045.

  • Kumar, Saroj, L. Dale Thomas, and Jason T. Cassibry. “Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Architecture for Planetary Science Missions," AIAA 2024-4922. AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND 2024. July 2024.

  • Kumar, Saroj, Lawrence D. Thomas, and Jason T. Cassibry. “Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Trades and Sensitivity Analysis for Robotic Missions." AIAA SciTech 2024 Forum. 2024.

  • Kumar, Saroj, L. Dale Thomas, and Jason T. Cassibry. “Spacecraft Integrated System Model for NTP Powered Planetary Science Missions." 73rd International Astronautical Congress, Paris, France, September, 2022.

  • Kumar, S., Thomas, D., and Cassibry, J, “Nuclear Thermal Propulsion for Jupiter and Saturn Rendezvous Missions." JSR, Vol. 59, No. 4 (2022), pp. 1171-1178 doi: doi/abs/10.2514/1.A35212.

  • Spiers. M, Kumar, S., et. al, “TIGER: Concept Study for a New Frontiers Enceladus Habitability Mission”, The Planetary Science Journal 2, no.5: 195 (2021).