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Christopher L. Bertagne

Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

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Leadership


Senior Thermal Engineer
The Aerospace Corporation
January 2021–Present

  • Mentored a department intern on the technical and programmatic aspects of a Phase-A NASA project, including low-fidelity thermal analysis, effective communication techniques, slide preparation, and presentation skills.
  • Shared technical experience with other department staff in the areas of thermal model development, thermal analysis best practices, and shape memory alloys.

Thermal Engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
September 2016–January 2021

  • Served as the primary curator of the Europa Clipper system thermal model. Coordinated with approximately ten thermal engineers across multiple institutions to integrate component- and subsystem-level thermal models in the overall system thermal model.
  • Pioneered the use of GitHub as a version control and project management system to improve documentation and coordinate efforts with multiple team members working on the model simultaneously.

Group Lead: Propulsion, Metrology, and Operations Group
SAE Aero Design Team, Texas A&M University
August 2011–May 2012, August 2013–May 2014

  • Managed a small group of three students in the student-run team that participated in the SAE Aero Design competition.
  • Designed, constructed, and utilized a ground support test stand to measure the static and dynamic thrust of a model aircraft engine in order to optimize motor and propeller selection.
  • Selected aircraft propulsion system (electric motor, motor speed controller, and batteries) optimized for the design reference mission.
  • Implemented safe and efficient operational procedures for the aircraft.
  • Team won first place overall, first place for technical presentation, and second place for technical paper in the 2014 Aero Design West competition, held in Dallas, TX.

Team Lead: Structures & Thermal Team
Senior Capstone Design: Spacecraft, Texas A&M University
January–December 2013

  • Managed seven team members on completing the preliminary design, structural analysis, and thermal management of a large crewed interplanetary spacecraft.
  • Presented team progress to instructor and rest of class in weekly meetings.
  • With other team leaders and project managers, gave formal design review presentation to visiting engineers from NASA and the aerospace industry.

Mentor / Tutor
Sigma Gamma Tau, Texas A&M University
August 2012–May 2013

  • Guided a small group of freshmen in completing short-term engineering projects for AERO 101 class.
  • Held tutoring session to assist underclassmen in learning course material and completing homework.

Copyright Christopher L. Bertagne