Aerospace Resume

Experience in aircraft and spacecraft, big aerospace and microspace, proven and groundbreaking technologies, with reliability above all, bringing real-world discipline to bear on all projects.

Used aerospace and systems engineering experience to help a number of organizations use or create satellite-based services. Several activities were classified and most remain proprietary; in respect for my clients, summaries only are listed here:
- Satellite orbit dynamics and their impact on communication (Doppler, Doppler rate, spectral compression)
- Numerical simulation and realtime emulation of those effects
- SEU / SEL / TID mitigation approaches, and how to most usefully prepare for the space environment, particularly vacuum-thermal impacts
- Satellite communications survey to assess which services offered which advantages for a variety of field operations

Principal Investigator and technical lead for the SMARTBus modular spacecraft architecture. Defined mechanical, electrical, and logical (software) interfaces such that a stack of interchangeable modules automatically networked to create a fully functional spacecraft. Balanced structural, thermal, power, internal and external communication, sensor view, manufacturing, and assembly needs to minimize mission-custom development and maximize reliability. Reduced spacecraft assembly time from days to minutes, using previously-proven modules instead of custom-designed subsystems.
PI and technical lead for the Bitsy spacecraft kernel, an integrated single device comprising all cross-mission capabilities: power regulation and storage, command and data handling, communications, and launch vehicle interface. Bitsy passed all space environmental tests on its first attempt with no anomalies.
Responsible for all system software on HETE-I and TERRIERS spacecraft, from satellite integration through launch. Solved systemwide problems involving payload / bus interaction, radio system throughput, on-orbit file transfer, timekeeping, bit upset recovery, and graceful anomaly recovery.

Made the Advanced Tactical Air Reconnaissance System (ATARS) pod for the F/A-18 a viable product. LORAL inherited this project after the previous two companies had failed to make it work; the system software would not compile, the subsystems were not integrated, and the support infrastructure was nonexistent. Solved the compilation problems, integrated the sensor subsystems with the core software, eliminated latent software faults, developed in-circuit debugging interfaces, and created procedures for the team to continue to employ and develop these tools after my assignment was complete.

McDermott (2006): “AAstroLogic: Using XML in a Spacecraft-Focused Client-Server System.” IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 2006.

Jord�n et al (2006): US20060016935, Modular spacecraft design architecture, pending.

McDermott et al (2006): US20060015299, Network architecture and protocol for spacecraft systems, pending.

McDermott et al (2006): “The Application of Satellite Communication Technology to Operational Knowledge Acquisition.” 2006 Military Communications Conference, 10.1109/MILCOM.2006.302268.

McDermott (2005): “The SMARTBus High Capability Modular Spacecraft Architecture for Responsive Space and Low Cost Microsatellite Missions.” 3rd Responsive Space Conference Proceedings, 2005.

McDermott et al (2005): US6,940,811, Redundant information processing system.

Westley et al (2004): “The Flexible and Extensible Bus for Small Satellites (FEBSS).” Utah Small Satellite Conference Proceedings, 2004.

McDermott et al (2004): “The Use of Overloaded Software Operators for Error Detection and Correction.” Utah Small Satellite Conference Proceedings, 2004.

Goldstein et al (2003): US6,561,461, Orbit transfer vehicle with support services.

McDermott et al (2002): “Automotive electronics in space: combining the advantages of high reliability components with high production volume.” IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings 2002, Volume 4.

Fleeter et al (2002): US6,856,606, US6,396,819, Low-cost satellite communication system.

Zenick et al (2001): US6,128,469, Satellite communication system with a sweeping high-gain antenna.

Fleeter et al (2001): US6,283,416, Spacecraft kernel.

McDermott et al (1999): “The Bitsy Spacecraft Kernel: Reducing Nanosatellite Mission Cost in the MSFC Future-X Program Through Miniaturized Technologies.” Utah Small Satellite Conference Proceedings, 1999.

McDermott (1994): “Digital signal processor software for the high-energy transient experiment satellite: video data filtering and storage.” M.Eng. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994.

Fluent: English, French; Familiar: Italian, Spanish, Russian, German, Japanese, Mandarin

Fluent: Java, C, C#, C++, VHDL, Objective C, Pascal, Assembly

Fluent: Linux (embedded and desktop), OS X, Unix, Windows, vxWorks, no-OS

Fluent: PowerPC, PIC, ChipCon, MSP430, x86, ColdFire, 80x1, 68xxx, 56xxx, Blackfin.

Fluent: Actel, Xilinx. Familiar: Atmel, pSOC.