B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Exploring flight, computation, materials, physics, and engineering design while building toward work in autonomous aerospace systems and space technology.
Aerospace Engineering · Georgia Tech
Building intelligent systems for flight & space.
I'm Saatvik Sunilraj, an Aerospace Engineering student at Georgia Tech and undergraduate researcher interested in autonomy, embedded systems, atmospheric intelligence, and the technologies that make future aerospace systems more capable.
Georgia TechB.S. Aerospace Engineering
Indoor Flight LabUndergraduate research
NationalUSA Badminton competitor
Now · Atlanta
From aspiring engineer to engineering student.
In Fall 2026, I began studying Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. I'm combining foundational engineering coursework with hands-on undergraduate research in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.
Indoor Flight Lab
Working with Dr. Lee Whitcher ↗ on Indoor Flight Lab infrastructure and flight-test tooling, including ESP32-based Vicon data handling and GPS-spoofer integration.
Team Elara · October 2026
ParkinSense: a sensor-based approach to earlier Parkinson’s screening
Part of Team Elara, which won first place at EF Hult Prize @ Georgia Tech on October 21, 2026, and will represent Georgia Tech at the national stage in Boston in April 2027. ParkinSense is an early-stage concept pairing a skin-swab sample with a handheld reader to help identify people who may benefit from specialist evaluation for Parkinson’s disease. The current proof of concept uses simulated data; sensor hardware development and real-sample testing are next steps.
View team announcement on LinkedIn ↗
Selected work
Research with a bias toward building.
Projects spanning machine learning, environmental sensing, mission design, and aerospace systems.
AI · Atmospheric Science
24-hour ozone forecasting with Temporal Fusion Transformers
Developed a deep-learning framework for forecasting surface ozone across the continental United States using meteorological and air-quality data.
View repository ↗
Sensing · Environmental Engineering
SafeSip: real-time detection of invisible water contaminants
Built a low-cost water-quality system using multi-frequency impedance spectroscopy (1–100 kHz) and machine learning to identify ionic contaminants. An ESP32 connects results to a mobile app and GPS-tagged contamination heatmap.
View repository ↗
NASA · Mission Design
VASTS at NASA Langley
Developed concepts in lunar-base design, adaptive radiation shielding, robotic Mars exploration, space agriculture, asteroid utilization, and crewed Mars mission architecture.
Machine Learning · Sustainability
SF₆ alternatives for electrical insulation
Applied machine-learning methods to evaluate lower-impact alternatives to sulfur hexafluoride for electrical-insulation applications.
View repository ↗Research & publications
Connecting data, science, and aerospace.
A growing research path that began before college and now continues through hands-on work at Georgia Tech.
2026
Undergraduate Research — Georgia Tech Indoor Flight LabIndoor Flight Lab upgrades; embedded data pipeline and flight-test support.
2025
A Temporal Fusion Transformer Framework for 24-Hour Ozone Forecasting Across the Continental United StatesAmerican Geophysical Union (AGU25) abstract / presentation. View AGU abstract ↗
2025
Transforming Ozone Forecasting: A Deep Learning Approach Using Temporal Fusion TransformersGeorge Mason University Journal of Student-Scientists’ Research. View JSSR article ↗
2025
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology ScholarsNASA Langley Research Center — aerospace mission design and systems studies.
Recognition
Selected milestones.
A few recognitions across research, service, entrepreneurship, and aerospace.
EF Hult Prize @ Georgia Tech — 1st PlaceOctober 21, 2026 · Team Elara / ParkinSense · Early-stage concept for sensor-based Parkinson’s screening.
U.S. Congressional Award — Gold Medal2025 · National recognition for voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.
Robert H. Herndon Science Competition — 1st Place2025 · The Aerospace Corporation.
MIT Alumni Award2025 · Loudoun County Regional Science & Engineering Fair.
Virginia DECA — 2nd Place2025 · Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan.
Naval Horizons — Winner2024 · STEM video competition.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award — Gold2023 & 2024 · Community service recognition.
Beyond the lab
Competition, service, and communication.
Engineering is only part of the story. Badminton taught me discipline under pressure; debate sharpened how I build an argument; volunteering keeps the work grounded in community.
USA Badminton
National-level competitor with years of tournament experience.
Nest4Us
450+ hours of service supporting food rescue and community programs.
Public Forum Debate
Competitive debate experience focused on research, evidence, and clear communication.
Bright Future Learning
Tutor supporting students through individualized instruction and academic problem-solving.