Combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Space Exploration

In our research group, we combine an interest in space exploration with fundamental computational fluid dynamics research. Our areas of interest include investigating plume-surface interactions during powered descent of spacecraft, modeling supersonic parachute inflation, hybrid rocket propulsion for small satellites, and modeling geophysical phenomena, such as the plumes on Enceladus or Yardangs on Earth and Mars! We are always looking for new and exciting projects as well.

parachute in spaceNASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image during its descent to Mars, using its Parachute Parachute Up-Look Camera A. This camera is mounted on the spacecraft's backshell and looks up at the parachute. This is one still frame from a sequence captured by the camera while taking video. This image was acquired on Feb. 22, 2021 (Sol 2) at the local mean solar time of 10:24:26. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Research

Broadly speaking, we combine fundamental high-speed compressible computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with problems related to space exploration and geo-physical flows. Current active areas of research include:

  • Modeling supersonic parachute inflations for landing spacecraft on Mars

  • Particle laden flow modeling related to plume-surface interactions during powered descent

  • Hybrid rocket combustion modeling for SmallSat Propulsion

  • Modeling geo-physical phenonema, such as Yardangs on Earth and Mars, and the plumes on Enceladus

About Prof. Rabinovitch

Dr. Jason Rabinovitch is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Prior to Stevens Institute of Technology, he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 6+ years as a Mechanical Engineer in the Entry, Descent, and Landing and Formulation Group. He was fortunate to work on the Mars 2020 mission in a variety of different roles, ranging from delivering flight hardware to the Cruise Stage, contamination control analysis for the rover, and aerodynamic analysis and testing for the Mars Helicopter. The Rabinovitch Research Group at Stevens combines an interest in space exploration with fundamental computational fluid dynamics topics. Dr. Rabinovitch is originally from Toronto, Ontario, is still a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including ice hockey and snowboarding.

Education:

  • Ph.D. Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology (2014)

  • M.S. Mécanique des Fluides Fondements & Applications, École Polytechnique - Paris (2010)

  • M.S. Aerospace Engineering, California Institute of Technology (2009)

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Yale University (2008)

Positions:

  • Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology (2021-)

  • Faculty Fellow in the JPL/Caltech Faculty Research Program (JFRP) in 347B - Robotic Vehicles & Manipulators Group (summer 2021)

  • Mechanical Engineer, Entry, Descent, & Landing and Formulation Group, JPL/Caltech (2014-2021)

  • Postdoctoral Scholar at Caltech (2014)

  • Graduate Research Assistant at Caltech (2010-2014)

  • Graduate Student at École Polytechnique - Paris (2009-2010)

  • Keck Institute for Space Studies Graduate Student at Caltech (2008-2009)

  • IPP Sponsored CERN Summer Student (summer 2007)

Organizations:

  • Steering Committee Member for the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) - January 2021–December 2023

  • Member of Professional Societies: AIAA Senior Member, ASME Member, ASEE Member

  • Member of Honor Societies: Tau Beta Pi

  • Other: Keck Institute for Space Studies Graduate Student Fellow

Awards:

  • JPL Awards (2014-2021 - COVID Ventilator Team Award, NASA Group Achievement Award (ASPIRE), Hypervelocity Strategic Initiative Leadership Team Award, Mars 2020 Project Team Award, Voyager Bonus Award (VISAGE), NASA Group Achievement Award (Next Generation EDL Research)

  • Upper Canada College 2018/2019 Young Old Boy of Distinction Award

  • Humboldt Research Fellowship (2014 - declined)

  • Selected for Aviation Week's Twenty20s (2013)

  • The Ernest E. Sechler Memorial Award in Aeronautics, Caltech (2013)

  • Award of Appreciation for the Caltech Space Challenge, Caltech (2013)

  • Keck Institute for Space Studies Graduate Student Fellowship, Caltech (2008-2009)

  • L. C. Lichty and E.O. Waters Mechanical Engineering Senior Award, Yale University (2008)

Current PhD Students

We are actively looking for additional PhD students to add to the group!

Danial Ghasimi (Fall 2021 - current)

Project: FSI Modeling for High-Speed Parachute Inflations
Contact: sghasimi at stevens.eduI am from Kurdistan, Iran and I joined stevens for my Ph.D. in fall of 2021. Prior to Stevens, I graduated from the University of Tehran with a master's degree. My past experience includes fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling of axons in a microchannel. For my Ph.D. research, I am focusing on FSI Modeling for High-Speed Parachute Inflations for Mars entry, descent, & landing (EDL). In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and talking about films, biking, and walking.

Current Undergraduate Researchers

We are actively looking for additional undergraduate students to add to the group!

Soleil Santana (Fall 2021 - current)

Project: Plume Surface Interactions

I was born and raised in Weehawken, New Jersey and joined Stevens for my undergraduate degree in the Fall of 2019. I've developed an interest in the study of space exploration and understanding how exhaust plumes can affect planetary landing sites during powered descents. I've been a writer for the science column of the school's student run newspaper, The Stute, for the last two years and I currently operate as the Commuter Student Union's student government representative. In my free time, I love expressing myself artistically, playing video games, and geeking out over Star Wars.

B.E. Stevens Institute of Technology (2023)

Summer 2022 Undergraduate Researchers

Joshua Bernstein (Summer 2022, Pinnacle Scholars Program)

Project: Finding Safe Landing Sites on Mercury

I have lived in New Jersey my whole life, continuing that pattern by coming to Stevens in the Fall of 2021. Currently, I am a sophomore computer science student. I've always had a fascination with space, absorbing all the information I can about the latest news from NASA, or buying as many space-related books as possible at my elementary school's book fair. To actually get to work on a project with real-world (or rather, out-of-this-world) applications is a huge honor. Outside of space and computer science, I love spending time with my pets, playing video games, and swimming.

Rebecca Guerra (Summer 2022, Pinnacle Scholars Program)

Project: Finding Safe Landing Sites on Mercury

I am an undergraduate originally from Long Island, New York. While balancing my academics with sports I just finished my first year at Stevens. I am a representative of the Stevens Women's Lacrosse class of 2025 Top of the V Leadership Program and a Lawrence T. Babbio Pinnacle Scholar. I plan on studying Mechanical Engineering and over the course of these two semesters I have found an interest in the study of space. Outside of school and sports I like to stay active by going to the beach, hanging out with my friends or dogs, and watching marvel movies. I am very eager to get to work with others on this project and hope to learn a lot from this experience. 

Benjamin Knobloch (Summer 2022, Pinnacle Scholars Program)

Project: Finding Safe Landing Sites on Mercury

I am from Middletown, New Jersey and joined Stevens for my undergraduate degree in the Fall of 2021. I am majoring in Software Engineering, and the project I am working on uses algorithmic analysis of images from the Messenger spacecraft to map Mercury's surface by suitability for a future landing. I first developed an interest in astronomy and space exploration after visiting the National Air and Space Museum and learning about the history of the early American space programs. I'm also a news and science writer for Stevens' student-run newspaper, The Stute, and am a member of the Stevens Honor Board. I enjoy using my free time to read, write, and work on personal coding projects.

Campbell Tedtsen (Summer 2022, Pinnacle Scholars Program)

Project: Finding Safe Landing Sites on Mercury

I was born and raised in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland and came to Stevens in the fall of 2020 to pursue a B.S. in Computer Science. I have since begun pursuing a minor in Astronomy because space exploration is just so interesting! I am a member of the executive board for Stevens A Capella as well as College Dems. In my free time I really enjoy singing, crocheting, and reading. 

Current Postdocs

We are actively looking for additional postdocs to add to the group!

Activities and News

Publications

For a full publication list, please see my Google Scholar page.

Alumni

Former Undergraduate Researchers:

Kayleigh Bowler (ME SURP 2022, 2nd prize of the SURP Research Competition)

Project: Modeling the Enceladus Plume

I am from Morristown, New Jersey. I joined Stevens Institute of Technology in the Fall of 2020 to pursue a B.E. of Mechanical Engineering, with a concentration in aerospace engineering. I will be a junior in the fall of 2022, and I am also a current sister of the Gamma Chi chapter of the Theta Phi Alpha sorority.

Soleil Santana (ME SURP 2021)

Project: Reduced Kinetic Model for Hybrid Rocket Combustion Studies of MMA/GOx

I was born and raised in Weehawken, New Jersey and joined Stevens for my undergraduate degree in the Fall of 2019. I've developed an interest in the study of space exploration and understanding how exhaust plumes can affect planetary landing sites during powered descents. I've been a writer for the science column of the school's student run newspaper, The Stute, for the last two years and I currently operate as the Commuter Student Union's student government representative. In my free time, I love expressing myself artistically, playing video games, and geeking out over Star Wars.

B.E. Stevens Institute of Technology (2023)

Ava Steneck (ME SURP 2021)

Project: Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): Examination of a Hybrid Motor Fuel

I am from Morristown, NJ, and I am currently studying mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. I developed an interest in the field, specifically aerospace engineering, when my high school physics teacher invited me to join the school’s rocketry club. When I’m not at a rocket launch or studying, I enjoy collecting vintage vinyl and skateboarding.

B.E. Stevens Institute of Technology (2025)

Maria Ortiz (ME SURP 2021, 2nd prize of the SURP Research Competition)

Project: Image Processing Methods and Applications in Mars Perseverance Rover Data Collection

I am from Strafford, New Hampshire and am pursuing my undergraduate mechanical engineering degree at Stevens Institute of Technology. I developed an interest in space exploration and rocketry at a young age after reading The Rocket Boys and watching too much MythBusters. I find this field of work fascinating and enjoy learning about it whenever possible. In my free time, I love reading, swimming, and hiking with my dog.

Useful Links

For Students Interested in Aeronautics/Aerospace:

Conference Travel Support

Internship Opportunities

Undergraduate Fellowships for Internships (there are many more out there!)

Undergraduate and Graduate Fellowships for Internships

Graduate Research Fellowships

Space Design Programs for Students (undergraduate and graduate)

Stevens Scholarships

Contact

Jason Rabinovitch, PhD
Assistant Professor
Edwin A. Stevens Hall, Room 209
Mechanical Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
1 Castle Point on Hudson
Hoboken NJ 07030-5991

[email protected]

LinkedIn

Google Scholar