Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Dr Maddock is an expert in mathematical modelling and system design optimisation for transatmospheric flight vehicles, including spaceplane-based launch systems.
Dr Maddock received her undergraduate honours degree in 2002 in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Electronics and Systems from Carleton University in Canada. Her thesis was on the design of an optical inter-satellite link for a LEO-GEO data relay satellite system.
Her doctoral research was conducted at the University of Glasgow on the dynamics, navigation and control of a spacecraft formation of solar concentrators in the proximity of an asteroid. The research investigated a method for asteroid deflection/manipulation using a formation of spacecraft in proximity to the asteroid, equipped with a solar light concentrator, either mirrors/lens or lasers. By directing a high temperature spot beam into the surface of the asteroid, the regolith will sublimate and produce a low-thrust jet which will alter the orbital trajectory of the asteroid.
Prior to obtaining her PhD, Dr Maddock worked for the Canadian Spectrum Engineering Division analysing and designing future communications satellites, and sitting on a number of working parties within the Radiocommunications bureau of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). In particular, she was a member of the Canadian Delegation, and Chair for the ITU-R Working Party 4B on performance, availability, air interfaces and earth-station equipment of satellite systems in the FSS, BSS and MSS.
Expertise & Capabilities
- Access to space systems
- Multi-disciplinary design optimsation, trajectory optimisation and optimal control
- Atmospheric flight dynamics and control
- Spacecraft formation flying
- Modelling and simulation of engineering systems
- Evaluation and analysis of trajectory design for air/space vehicles
- Design and analysis of proximal motion dynamics, open and closed loop control
- Space and satellite telecommunications
- Analysis and/or the development and simulation of software models
- Consultation on the regulatory process for satellite frequency and orbital location
Teaching Interests
I am currently lecturer for the following courses:
ME108 Engineering Analysis and Numerical Methods
This module aims to teach the basic principles of programming and the solution of mathematical and statistical problems with numerical techniques. Semester 1 is focused on learning and understanding the basics of programming in the MATLAB environment. Semester 2 is focused on numerical analysis methods, and introduction to probability and statistics with applications and practical examples in the MATLAB environment.
Applied Mechanics and Machine Design EO402 (Applied Mechanics module)
The module on applied mechanics covers general motion of rigid bodies including forces & accelerations, energy methods and impulse & momentum. Free and forced vibrations of mass-spring-damper systems are also studied.
Administration
Adviser of Studies, Year 3 Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (2020/21--)
Adviser of Studies, Year 3 Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (2019/20)
Industrial Relevance
Technical consultant for several launch vehicle start-ups including Orbital Access Ltd, and Orbital Cargo Drone as well as larger companies such as Reaction Engines Ltd.
Consultancy work involves using research-driven software tools for trajectory optimisation, and robust multi-disciplinary design optimisation to analyse the mission, performance capabilities of the system, range safety and abort cases, system design and the impact of design drivers on performance, and vice versa. By numerically modelling the vehicle and environment, it is possible to analyse the performance of the entire system, capturing the interdependancies between design decisions, such as engine sizing, re-start and burn times, stage separation timing and conditions and flight path, to performance such as payload-to-orbit, abort flight paths, vehicle and/or payload recovery, and glide profile.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Academic Studies (Academic Practice) , University Strathclyde
Award Date: 20 Sept 2018
Doctor of Engineering, Dynamics, Navigation and Control of a Spacecraft Formation of Solar Concentrators in the Proximity of an Asteroid, University of Glasgow
Award Date: 23 Feb 2010
Bachelor of Engineering, Optical inter-satellite link for a LEO-GEO data relay satellite system, Carleton University
Award Date: 1 Jun 2002
Keywords
- space
- aerospace
- launch vehicles
- access to space
- engineering
- Aerospace Centre of Excellence
- trajectory
- optimisation
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Assessment of a very high power cargo transportation system to Mars
Maddock, C. (Principal Investigator), Minisci, E. (Co-investigator), Vasile, M. (Co-investigator) & Ricciardi, L. A. (Research Co-investigator)
1/06/20 → 15/12/20
Project: Research
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Uncertainty Treatment and OPtimisation in Aerospace Engineering (UTOPIAE) (H2020 MCSA ETN)
Vasile, M. (Principal Investigator), Akartunali, K. (Co-investigator), Maddock, C. (Co-investigator), Minisci, E. (Co-investigator) & Revie, M. (Co-investigator)
European Commission - Horizon Europe + H2020
1/01/17 → 31/12/20
Project: Research
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Direct solution of multi-objective optimal control problems applied to spaceplane mission design
Ricciardi, L. A., Maddock, C. A. & Vasile, M., 30 Jan 2019, In: Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics. 42, 1, p. 30-46 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile20 Citations (Scopus)147 Downloads (Pure) -
Implementing life cycle sustainability assessment for improved space mission design
Wilson, A. R., Vasile, M., Maddock, C. & Baker, K., Jul 2023, In: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 19, 4, p. 1002-1022 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Citations (Scopus)157 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship
Maddock, C. (Recipient), 1 Sept 2017
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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Sir Arthur C Clarke Award for Space Achievement (Academic Study/Research)
Maddock, C. (Recipient), Vasile, M. (Recipient) & Minisci, E. (Recipient), 1 Jun 2015
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Variable-size design space optimisation for aerospace applications
Maddock, C. (Examiner)
29 Jun 2021Activity: Examination types › Examination
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Women in Aerospace Europe (WiA-E) Working Group on Skills Gap in Aerospace (External organisation)
Maddock, C. (Member)
Jun 2021 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee