Kelden is a Master's student developing enhanced interactive procedures for astronauts on the HCAAM project. This research aims to improve training and execution of complex mechanical procedures for astronauts in isolated environments by incorporating various modes of feedback to improve situational awareness and decrease workload. These procedures use haptic feedback, augmented reality, and feedback from built-in smart sensors to aid users in completing tasks efficiently and accurately. This technology was demonstrated at NASA JSC’s HERA facility and at UC Davis.
Kelden has been a Pathways intern at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center since Spring 2021 and has worked on the X-59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator, UAM sensor payloads, F-15s, and instrumented parachutes.
When he is not tinkering with computers and aviation, he is likely biking, running, or playing music with the lab band, The Frangible Nuts. Beet juice also reserves a special place in his heart.
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UC Davis, 2023
- B.S. Aerospace Science and Engineering, UC Davis, 2023
- M.S. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC Davis, 2026
- Kelden Ben-Ora, Adam Zufall, Stephen Robinson (2024), "Design and Flight of an Autonomous Rogallo Glider for Recovery of High-Altitude Balloon Payloads and Data", AIAA Aviation 2024 Forum.