Dr Christie Maddock
Senior Lecturer
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Personal statement
Dr Maddock is an expert in mathematical modelling and system design optimisation for transatmospheric flight vehicles, including spaceplane-based launch systems.
Dr Maddock received her undergraduate honours degree in 2002 in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Electronics and Systems from Carleton University in Canada. Her thesis was on the design of an optical inter-satellite link for a LEO-GEO data relay satellite system.
Her doctoral research was conducted at the University of Glasgow on the dynamics, navigation and control of a spacecraft formation of solar concentrators in the proximity of an asteroid. The research investigated a method for asteroid deflection/manipulation using a formation of spacecraft in proximity to the asteroid, equipped with a solar light concentrator, either mirrors/lens or lasers. By directing a high temperature spot beam into the surface of the asteroid, the regolith will sublimate and produce a low-thrust jet which will alter the orbital trajectory of the asteroid.
Prior to obtaining her PhD, Dr Maddock worked for the Canadian Spectrum Engineering Division analysing and designing future communications satellites, and sitting on a number of working parties within the Radiocommunications bureau of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). In particular, she was a member of the Canadian Delegation, and Chair for the ITU-R Working Party 4B on performance, availability, air interfaces and earth-station equipment of satellite systems in the FSS, BSS and MSS.
Area of Expertise
- Access to space systems
- Multi-disciplinary design optimsation, trajectory optimisation and optimal control
- Atmospheric flight dynamics and control
- Spacecraft formation flying
- Modelling and simulation of engineering systems
- Evaluation and analysis of trajectory design for air/space vehicles
- Design and analysis of proximal motion dynamics, open and closed loop control
- Space and satellite telecommunications
- Analysis and/or the development and simulation of software models
- Consultation on the regulatory process for satellite frequency and orbital location
Prize And Awards
- Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship
- Recipient
- 1/9/2017
- Sir Arthur C Clarke Award for Space Achievement (Academic Study/Research)
- Recipient
- 1/6/2015
- Celebrate HER (Women+ in Leadership) Award Nomination
- Recipient
- 13/2/2023
- 'Sustainable Impact by Design' Team, Strathclyde Medal
- Recipient
- 2023
- William Wilson Scott Award
- Recipient
- 1/2/2010
- Highly Commended Award Winner
- Recipient
- 30/9/2009
Publications
- Direct solution of multi-objective optimal control problems applied to spaceplane mission design
- Ricciardi Lorenzo A, Maddock Christie Alisa, Vasile Massimiliano
- Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics Vol 42, pp. 30-46 (2019)
- https://doi.org/10.2514/1.G003839
- Implementing life cycle sustainability assessment for improved space mission design
- Wilson Andrew R, Vasile Massimiliano, Maddock Christie, Baker Keith
- Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Vol 19, pp. 1002-1022 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4722
- Multi-stage multi-fidelity information correction for artificial neural network based meta-modelling
- Parsonage Ben, Maddock Christie
- 2020 IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence, pp. 950-957 (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.1109/SSCI47803.2020.9308255
- Solving multi-objective optimal control problems using a multiresolution approach
- Parsonage Ben, Maddock Christie
- Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics Vol 48, pp. 32-45 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.2514/1.g008223
- Multi-objective design optimisation and analysis of a crewed Earth-Mars transportation system using nuclear thermal propulsion
- Maddock Christie, Parsonage Ben
- 75th International Astronautical Congress (2024)
- The role of first degrees in encouraging students to enter the space sector : analysis by the ASTRAIOS project
- Al Asmar Yolla, Belgiu Mariana, Vargas Maretto Raian, Ronzhin Stanislav, Li Luong Hanh, Budd Thiemann Heidi, Dudley Joseph, Ignjatovic Danijela, Moser Jade, Brempou Christina-Soultana, Panagiotis Partsinevelos, Petrakis George, Fiore Grazia Maria, Maddock Christie, Bournou Danai, Pavone Rosario, Balenciaga Intza, Kolehmainen Mari, Kerkezian Silva, Pantelaki Irene
- 75th International Astronautical Congress (2024)
Teaching
I am currently lecturer for the following courses:
ME108 Engineering Analysis and Numerical Methods
This module aims to teach the basic principles of programming and the solution of mathematical and statistical problems with numerical techniques. Semester 1 is focused on learning and understanding the basics of programming in the MATLAB environment. Semester 2 is focused on numerical analysis methods, and introduction to probability and statistics with applications and practical examples in the MATLAB environment.
Applied Mechanics and Machine Design EO402 (Applied Mechanics module)
The module on applied mechanics covers general motion of rigid bodies including forces & accelerations, energy methods and impulse & momentum. Free and forced vibrations of mass-spring-damper systems are also studied.
Administration
Adviser of Studies, Year 3 Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (2020/21--)
Adviser of Studies, Year 3 Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (2019/20)
Professional Activities
- Variable-size design space optimisation for aerospace applications
- Examiner
- 29/6/2021
- Women in Aerospace Europe (WiA-E) Working Group on Skills Gap in Aerospace (External organisation)
- Member
- 6/2021
- Stardust-R Global Virtual Workshop II: Space Traffic Management and Resilient Space Environment
- Organiser
- 13/9/2021
- 2nd International Workshop on AI for Space Sustainability
- Member of programme committee
- 30/10/2024
- 75th International Astronautical Congress
- Chair
- 14/10/2024
- Workshop on Life Cycle Assessment of Space Transportation Systems
- Participant
- 17/9/2024
Projects
- Assessment of a very high power cargo transportation system to Mars
- Maddock, Christie (Principal Investigator) Minisci, Edmondo (Co-investigator) Vasile, Massimiliano (Co-investigator) Ricciardi, Lorenzo Angelo (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2020 - 15-Jan-2020
- Uncertainty Treatment and OPtimisation in Aerospace Engineering (UTOPIAE) (H2020 MCSA ETN)
- Vasile, Massimiliano (Principal Investigator) Akartunali, Kerem (Co-investigator) Maddock, Christie (Co-investigator) Minisci, Edmondo (Co-investigator) Revie, Matthew (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2017 - 31-Jan-2020
- AI for Space Operations, Safety and Sustainability (A14S3)
- Vasile, Massimiliano (Principal Investigator) Clemente, Carmine (Co-investigator) Feng, Jinglang (Co-investigator) Maddock, Christie (Co-investigator) Marshall, Stephen (Co-investigator) Murray, Paul (Co-investigator) Riccardi, Annalisa (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2025
- INtegration and Digital demonstration of low-emission aIrcraft technoloGies and airport Operations (INDIGO) (Horizon Europe CL5)
- Fossati, Marco (Principal Investigator) Jones, Catherine (Co-investigator) Maddock, Christie (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2026
- ASTRAIOS Analysis of Skills, Training, Research, and Innovation Opportunities in Space (Horizon-CL4-SPACE)
- Maddock, Christie (Principal Investigator) Feng, Jinglang (Co-investigator) Vasile, Massimiliano (Co-investigator) Zabihian, Ehsan (Research Co-investigator)
- The advancement of the EU space sector is highly dependent on the availability of high educational standards, skilled professionals, and the ability for these professionals to upgrade and update their skills.
The ASTRAIOS project will foster innovation, increase EU competitiveness in the space sector and improve the dynamics of the space entrepreneurships ecosystems.
To achieve this, the ASTRAIOS team will provide an exhaustive view and understanding of the current and future Space curricula and courses offered in the EU-27. The project will also describe the need from the European Space industry in the next 10-15 years and identify actionable ways towards a better alignment between the offered educational programmes and the skills required by the future European space industry. - 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2025
- Data-driven aErothermal and thermomeChanical mOdelling for Destructive re-Entry
- Fossati, Marco (Principal Investigator) Maddock, Christie (Co-investigator) Vasile, Massimiliano (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2022 - 31-Jan-2025
Contact
Dr
Christie
Maddock
Senior Lecturer
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Email: christie.maddock@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 574 5058