100 Years After the “Launch” of Aerospace Industry, Villanova Faculty Continue to Innovate the Sector

Research in Flight

Student interest in aerospace led to the creation of a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (MSAE) program at Villanova University, which began in the Fall 2025 semester. Sergey Nersesov, PhD, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, was instrumental in the inception of the MSAE program and helped develop courses in space flight mechanics, applied aerodynamics, aerospace structures analysis and advanced flight dynamics and control, among others.

The idea for the graduate program was inspired by the growing popularity of the College of Engineering's Minor in Aerospace Engineering. The minor attracts students from across the university, drawing from other majors and colleges at Villanova. For example, Dr. Nersesov recently collaborated on a research project focused on spacecraft and satellite control systems with Aedan Disanto '26 CLAS, an astrophysics and planetary sciences major and aerospace engineering minor.

"If you look up at the sky, sometimes you see satellites chasing each other," said Dr. Nersesov. "Dynamics and control researchers develop algorithms to ensure proper spacing between the satellites so they can function correctly."

The spacing between satellites is crucial to avoid collision, which is also a potential issue when a spacecraft approaches a space station to dock. In this situation the velocities, rotation and orientation of both vehicles are carefully controlled so that docking mechanisms align correctly, which requires up to 12 variables to be coordinated simultaneously.

Dr. Nersesov and Disanto analyzed the algorithms needed to guarantee perfect satellite function and built upon them, discovering more efficient ways to operate vehicles in space.