Zenith Fellow Intern, Class of 2024
Carleton University - Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering - Specialization in Space Systems Design
Host Organization: Stratotegic
Mentor: Caleb Gimpel

Nikhil is a fourth-year student finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University, where he is specializing in the Space Systems Design stream of the program.

Nikhil’s passion for All-Things-Space related stems from the realization that Space exploration and advancements in Space technologies positively impact billions of people and various communities on Earth. His motivation to contribute his own efforts to the Space industry and Space community lies in understanding that the work he’s contributing is impacting society in a beneficial way.

Over the duration of his academic career, Nikhil developed a keen interest in spacecraft mission design and Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control. Nikhil is involved in Carleton University’s CuSAT micro-satellite in which he is a member of the Attitude Determination and Control System team. He has been involved with testing of various spacecraft attitude sensors and actuators, and was simultaneously making efforts to modify and improve an ADCS simulator for the micro-satellite, whose goal is to detect wildfires across Canada. Nikhil has also been an active member of the CUInspace Rocketry Team at Carleton University, where he was focusing on the Payload Subsystem in which the goal was to design a self-guidance detachable payload device, using a control algorithm, various onboard sensors, servo motors, and parachute.

Beyond academics, Nikhil spent 16-months working at the National Research Council of Canada’s Flight Research Laboratory as a Flight Research Assistant where he contributed efforts towards the ongoing development of an autonomous helicopter project, titled the Canadian Vertical Lift Autonomy Demonstration (or CVLAD for short), where he gained valuable professional work experience, developed new technical skills, and got to fly in a fully autonomous helicopter and got the opportunity to fly under micro-gravity conditions! Nikhil has also been extensively involved in political campaigns for his Riding, as he understands the importance of contributing to his community and from which he earned the Canada 150th Anniversary Medal, which is awarded to members of the community who have demonstrated exceptional community service. He was also a member of the Masks Unlimited initiative in which he helped assemble mask kits and delivered mask packages to local hospitals and retirement homes during the early onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nikhil is quite the sports enthusiast, having played a variety of sports such as basketball, soccer, and golf, throughout his childhood and young adulthood, and is also a Formula One enthusiast!

Nikhil is excited to continue his journey in the ever-growing Space industry by being a part of the Zenith Canada Pathways Fellowship and is ecstatic towards joining Stratotegic this summer, where he will be researching and building advanced AI control systems for high-altitude platform stations!