John Vitucci Awarded NSTR Fellowship

John Vitucci is an aerospace master's student.

John Vitucci, now a second year graduate student, has been awarded the NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship. The NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship (NSTRF) looks to improve America’s competitiveness in space technology research while providing the nation with a group of highly skilled engineers and technologists that could one day have the necessary skill set to become technological leaders. The NSTRF is in accordance with NASA’s strategic goal; “To create the innovative new space technologies for our nation’s science, exploration, and economic future.” John will join a few other students as a member of the inaugural class for the NSTRF.

Fellows benefit from a $36,000 stipend for Doctoral students and $30,000 for Master’s students in addition to $30,000 to offset the costs of tuition and other fees. The NSTRF also will provide fellows with on-site NASA Center/Research and Development lab experience. The fellowship is offered initially for one year. Contingent upon progress, the fellowship may be renewed for up to one additional year for Master’s students and up to three additional years for Doctoral students.

Currently, John is a student under Dr. Raymond Sedwick in the Space Power and Propulsion Lab. His research project is titled “Development of a Superconducting Helicon Thruster.” In the upcoming academic year, he will also continue his position as Graduate Student Liaison for the University of Maryland Chapter of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Published July 15, 2011