Pablo Castro

Background

About Pablo Castro

Hello, my name is Pablo Castro. I’m a third year aerospace engineering major at Kent State University. I am a leader that is able to work well in teams and be able to critically think under stress. My passion lies in defense systems, specifically GNC for UAV systems, propulsion for Hypersonic with a keen interest in ICBM, and aerodynamics of supersonic aircrafts. I try to absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible during my academic journey by engaging with experts in my field. In 2022, I decided to redshirt as a student-athlete and prioritize my academic studies. As part of my involvement, I joined the High Power Rocket team as a propulsions section team member. During my time on the team, we participated in the Spaceport America Cup specifically 10K SRAD (Student Research and Development) competition held in New Mexico. Although I did not travel with the team, this experience provided me with valuable insights into the field of rocket propulsion. I gained an understanding of the process of mixing solid rocket propellant for the motor to analyze thrust & burn time produced. Additionally, I learned about the significance of grain shapes & sizes and liner testing for motor casting, and how they influence performance. Furthermore, I acquired knowledge in using burnsim, a software tool, to analyze thrust and optimize the propulsion of high-power rockets. In 2023, I served as one of the team captains for Kent State’s wrestling team, where I achieved 6th place in the Mid-American Conference. The summer of 2024 brought an incredible opportunity for me to engage in digital research. I dedicated myself to designing a 3U CubeSat equipped with hyperspectral imaging. To achieve this, I utilized software tools such as- Autodesk Inventor, ANSYS, and MATLAB, SolidWorks. I was fortunate enough to present some of my work to the National Center for Digital Manufacturing and Manufacturing Management (NCDMM). In the fall of 2024, I was selected as one of ten undergraduate students for Kent State’s inaugural class of the Digital Engineering Design Center. This collaborative program, a partnership between Kent State, UTEP, and the National Center for Digital Manufacturing and Manufacturing Management (NCDMM), provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain experience in systems engineering and digital twinning. Beyond my academic responsibilities, I coach and manage a martial arts gym. I also compete internationally in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.