Dr. Chris Lorenzen

Chris Lorenzen
Bio

Lorenzen graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Davis, with a BS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is currently continuing his education at the University of California, Davis, to pursue a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a focus in small satellite system dynamics and controls. Lorenzen has built a flight simulator for use by the lab and other students at the university to perform various tests and training exercises. Lorenzen is a founder of Space and Satellite Systems, a student organization at the University of California, Davis. His current research is aimed at developing a small automated inspection satellite.

Education and Degree(s)
  • B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC Davis, 2013
  • Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC Davis, 2025
Publications
  • "A Safe Navigation Scheme for Inspection Operations of a High Value Target in Low Earth Orbit", Dissertation, UC Davis, 2025
  • "Safe and Minimal-Thrust Trajectories for In-Space Inspection and Proximity Operations", AIAA SciTech Conference, 2026
  • "Low-Risk Spacecraft-Inspection CubeSat", Small Satellite Conference, 2016