After completing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering, I shifted my focus to computer vision and artificial intelligence for satellite autonomous navigation. This transition began in 2021 when I received a research scholarship co-funded by Thales Alenia Space Italia.
Doctorate - Aerospace Science and Technology
My Ph.D. focuses on autonomous satellite navigation for proximity and docking operations. I specialize in monocular pose estimation using deep learning, emphasizing algorithm deployability and domain gap. In 2022 I ranked 4th and 5th in the ESA’s satellite pose estimation challenge. From February to July 2024 I conducted a research visit at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (Adelaide, Australia), working on structure from motion.
Supervisor: Prof. Paolo Tortora; co-supervisor: Prof. Dario Modenini.
Master of Science - Aerospace Engineering
I contributed to a microsatellite mission study, focusing on attitude and power subsystems, and developed a thermal analysis model for LEO satellites. I conducted my thesis in collaboration with Alén Space (Spain) on the preliminary design of the communication system for an ESA-contracted robotic lunar cave exploration study.
Exam average (out of 30): 29.87; graduation mark (out of 110): 110 with honours.
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
My internship and final thesis focused on GPS algorithms for orbit determination.
Exam average (out of 30): 29.40; graduation mark (out of 110): 110 with honours.
Research Fellow
Research topic: onboard technologies for attitude and orbital control of satellites in very low Earth orbit.
Students Supervisor
Since joining the Microsatellites and Space Microsystems Lab in February 2021, I have supervised 7 BSc and 1 MSc students from the Aerospace Engineering programs during their internships and final thesis projects.
Teaching Tutor
- • Summer School in Industrial Engineering for Advanced Automotive (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- • Calculus and Linear Algebra (2021)
- • Degree Program Tutor (2019)
MATLAB Ambassador
During my initial two years of Ph.D., I engaged in two contracts with MathWorks through Adecco S.p.A. Within this period, I organized MathWorks-branded events aimed at promoting awareness of MathWorks products among students. Additionally, I conducted seminars within engineering bachelor's and master's degree courses at the University of Bologna, focusing primarily on MATLAB applications in numerical computing and deep learning.
Research Fellow
This project involved conducting a feasibility analysis on the application of neural networks for satellite pose estimation. In this framework I created a photorealistic dataset of a COSMO-SkyMed spacecraft using Blender and developed a pose estimation algorithm utilizing neural networks in TensorFlow. The pose estimation software has been finely tuned for real-time inference on a Coral Dev Board Mini. This research project received funding from Thales Alenia Space Italia.
EUROAVIA Executive
I am a proud co-founder of EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna, the University of Bologna’s affiliated society within the European Association of Aerospace Students. In 2018, I represented the association at the AMEAC Congress in Bremen. I also contributed in the organization of the Aerodynamics Symposium, the association’s inaugural international event.
Private Tutor
Since my second year of bachelor's studies, I have been providing private lessons in mathematics, physics, and chemistry for high school and university students.
- Science: #SpaceSystems #Navigation #ComputerVision #DeepLearning
- </>Skills: #Python #TensorFlow #GitHub #MATLAB #AWS #Blender #TracePro
- Interests: #Teaching #Tech #PersonalFinance #Politics #Running #Volley
- Autonomous navigation of satellites for proximity and docking operations. 2024
- Sun simulator for ADCS facility. 2024
- WACE 2024 - IFAC Workshop on Aerospace Control Education. 2024
- Hyperview - Seeing beyond the visible. 2023
- #T-TeC 2021 2021
- Satellite pose estimation challenge. 2021
- Machine learning for docking (ML4DOCK) 2021
- Small solid propellant motor design. 2019
- Almacontest. 2017
- “Beyond Pixels: The Power of Satellite Vision”, workshop on deep learning - Euroavia Forlì-Bologna, InSpace Symposium, October 7, 2023.
- “MATLAB Workshop”, exercise session in MATLAB Grader, University of Bologna – Principle of Informatics, Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 29, 2023.
- “Numerical Computing with MATLAB”, 4-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degrees in Mechanical and Energy Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 10-13-15, 2023.
- “MATLAB Onramp”, 2-hour online seminar, University of Bologna – Bachelor degree students , MATLAB Ambassador Program, November 22, 2022.
- “MATLAB Deep Learning Workshop”, Fabbrica delle Candele (Forlì), Bachelor’s and Master students from Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering courses, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 14, 2022.
- “MATLAB Workshop”, exercise session in MATLAB Grader, University of Bologna – Principle of Informatics, Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 11, 2022.
- “Numerical Computing with MATLAB”, 3-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 18, 2022.
- “MATLAB Fundamentals”, 3-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 17, 2022.
- “Innovators in Space”, T-Talk, Telespazio SpA, February 2, 2022.
- “MATLAB Onramp”, 2-hour online seminar, University of Bologna – Bachelor degree students , MATLAB Ambassador Program, December 14 and 20, 2021.
- “Artificial intelligence in space”, talk, Euroavia Forlì-Bologna, Space Rendez-Vous, November 4, 2021.