Joshua Terranova

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

• Participating in an authentic NASA-style mission formulation experience, working through Pre-Phase A and Phase A development cycles.
• Conducting mission needs analysis, stakeholder mapping, capability gap identification, and TRL assessment to define a mission concept justified by NASA strategic documents.
• Working on a cross-functional engineering team to design a full mission architecture, including spacecraft concept, science objectives, payload selection, operations plan, and feasibility analysis.
• Developing technical materials: Concept of Operations (CONOPS), System block diagrams, Requirements tree (Level 1, 2, and 3), Trade matrices and decision rationales, Risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

• Served as Engineer I on a NASA-style proposal team developing a Cold-Welding Robotic Attachment System designed for lunar surface operations, infrastructure assembly, and long-duration mission support.
• Led the technical justification for the system, including KPP derivation, system modeling, performance calculations, feasibility analysis, and integration considerations aligned with NASA TRL advancement requirements.
• Produced detailed engineering rationale for material selection, power budgets, structural design parameters, and environmental resilience (thermal, radiation, lunar dust).
• Created NASA-standard deliverables, including Quad Charts, trade studies, mission infusion pathways, risk assessments, and a multi-phase Work Plan compliant with NPR-7120 and 8705 safety guidelines.
• Conducted peer proposal reviews as part of NPWEE's official Review Panel, using NASA's evaluation rubric to score Technical Merit, Feasibility, Relevance, Work Plan quality, and expected mission impact.

• Founded and leading an AI and computing company focused on developing innovative AI solutions and technologies.
• Building AI-powered products leveraging cutting-edge machine learning and computing capabilities.
• Developing specialized AI assistants with advanced conversation memory and interactive visualizations.

• Selected for Mission 3: Innovate, the capstone phase of NASA's NCAS program—a competitive hybrid experience combining advanced engineering design, research analysis, and on-site immersion at a NASA center.
• Led a multidisciplinary student engineering team in developing a NASA-style concept proposal based on a real mission-directorate challenge, following NASA's engineering design and requirements processes.
• Conducted extensive research, capability gap analysis, and technology feasibility studies, identifying innovative solutions aligned with NASA priorities such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and emerging aerospace systems.
• Delivered the final proposal during the on-site capstone week at a NASA field center, presenting directly to NASA engineers, mentors, and subject-matter experts.

• Selected for advanced simulation-based engineering. Worked as Computer Engineer on a multidisciplinary team developing a fully integrated lunar rover mission.
• Designed rover subsystems for autonomy, navigation, environmental sensing, and communication.
• Created engineering documentation including CAD concepts, subsystem diagrams, telemetry logic, and technical justifications.
• Helped develop mission timelines, EVA activities, surface traversal routes, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Delivered the Mission Concept Presentation evaluated by NASA engineers, demonstrating system-level thinking and effective technical communication.

• Completed foundational NASA engineering curriculum covering: Mission lifecycle and systems engineering, Aeronautics and space exploration fundamentals, NASA workforce pathways and research domains.
• Completed technical quizzes, assignments, and scenario-based engineering exercises.

• Completed specialized coursework and workshops in astrophysics, astronomy, and space science, exploring topics such as stellar evolution, orbital mechanics, cosmology, and observational techniques.
• Conducted quantitative problem-solving using calculus, physics, and mathematical modeling relevant to astrophysical systems and celestial dynamics.
• Participated in astrophysics enrichment activities including: Telescope operation and observational astronomy, Data analysis of celestial objects, Planetary science and exoplanet studies, Simulation-based learning on gravity, energy, and orbital trajectories.
• Strengthened analytical thinking, scientific writing, and physics intuition that later supported success in NASA NCAS Missions 1–3, NASA L'SPACE MCA and NPWEE, and ongoing AI- and space-engineering projects.

• Selected from 500+ applicants for prestigious AI and Semiconductor Chips research program.
• Developed a deep learning model in Python and PyTorch achieving sub-1% error rate in identifying pneumonia progression.
• Presented research findings to 50+ faculty and industry professionals.

• Collaborated with developers and researchers on topics such as large language models (LLMs), autonomous agents, reinforcement learning, computer vision, and AI ethics.
• Participated in hands-on sessions covering model deployment, vector databases, RAG pipelines, GPU optimization, and distributed training workflows.
• Contributed to discussions and problem-solving sessions around real-world AI applications, including robotics, simulation, productivity tools, and multi-agent architectures.
• Developed and refined personal AI projects while receiving feedback from industry mentors and practitioners across LA's tech and startup scene.

• Conducted 50+ physics simulations using Python and MATLAB to model complex physical phenomena.
• Applied Monte Carlo methods to analyze physical systems.
• Integrated AI techniques achieving 40% improvement in computational accuracy.
• Processed and analyzed datasets with 1M+ data points.

• Awarded 2nd Place in the national Toyota Material Handling Digital Design Competition, presented by Autodesk.
• Designed a polished digital system concept of a forklift attachment, addressing a real industry challenge in material handling and logistics, integrating principles of safety, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Utilized Autodesk Fusion360/AutoCAD to create detailed diagrams, component layouts, interface concepts, and engineering visuals.
• Presented the final concept to judges from Toyota Material Handling and Autodesk, receiving recognition for clarity, innovation, and professional execution.

• Directs and mentors junior cadets, executing CAP missions across community service and emergency response.
• Cultivates technical expertise through Aerospace Education STEM Academy (AESA), specializing in aeronautics, cybersecurity, drones, and rocketry technology.