Dr Christie Maddock

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.

Expertise

Has expertise in:

Earth-to-space vehicle design
Spacecraft formation flying
Modelling and simulation of engineering systems
Satellite telecommunications
Evaluation and analysis of trajectory design for air/space vehicles
Design and analysis of proximal motion dynamics, open and closed loop control
Analysis and/or the development and simulation of software models
Consultation on the regulatory process for satellite frequency and orbital location

Publications

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
Robust trajectory optimisation of a TSTO spaceplane using uncertainty-based atmospheric models: Ricciardi Lorenzo, Maddock Christie, Vasile Massimiliano; 23rd AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference (2020); https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-2403
Multidisciplinary design analysis of a semi-reusable two-stage-to-orbit small payload launch system: Maddock Christie, Ricciardi Lorenzo Angelo, Toso Federico, Vasile Massimiliano; International Astronautical Congress 2019 (2019)
Aerodynamic database development for a future reusable space launch vehicle, the Orbital 500R: Stindt Tristan, Merrifield Jim, Fossati Marco, Ricciardi Lorenzo Angelo, Maddock Christie Alisa, West Michael, Kontis Kostantinos, Farkin Bernard, McIntyre Stuart; The International Conference on Flight vehicles, Aerothermodynamics and Re-entry Missions and Engineering (2019)
Robust multi-objective optimisation of a descent guidance strategy for a TSTO spaceplane: Ricciardi Lorenzo A, Maddock Christie Alisa, Vasile Massimiliano, Stindt Tristan, Merrifield Jim, Fossati Marco, West Michael, Kontis Konstantinos, Farkin Bernard, McIntyre Stuart; International Conference on Flight vehicles, Aerothermodynamics and Re-entry Missions and Engineering (2019)
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

More publications

Teaching

I am currently lecturer for the following courses:

Dynamics & Control 16361 (Dynamics 3 ME305, Measurement, Instrumentation & Control 16318)

The course covers topics on kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies, mechanical vibrations in the first semester, while the second semester looks at control systems engineering, methods for analysing and altering the performance of dynamics systems, and designing controllers. Elements of numerical modelling and simulation is woven throughout the year.

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

Design and analysis of very high power transportation system to Mars: Speaker; 18/3/2021
International Conference on Bioinspired Optimisation Methods and Their Applications: Organiser; 17/11/2020
International Astronautical Congress: Chair; 12/10/2020
Integrated range safety analysis: Speaker; 30/6/2020
Asteroid Deflection and Active Debris Removal Methods with Spaceborne Lasers: Examiner; 20/3/2020
Space launch systems and their role in Scotland: Speaker; 26/2/2020

More professional activities

Projects

Sustainable impact by design: a pilot study of effective STEM dissemination for hard-to-reach audiences: Essex, Jane (Principal Investigator) Gonzalez-Longo, Cristina (Co-investigator) Li, Rui (Co-investigator) Somorin, Tosin (Co-investigator) Hendry, Martyn (Co-investigator) Yue, Hong (Co-investigator) Maddock, Christie (Co-investigator) Ivaturi, Aruna (Co-investigator) Egea Alvarez, Agusti (Co-investigator) Cunningham, Margaret Rose (Co-investigator); STEM Equals and RKES funding £10,000; 01-Jan-2021 - 31-Jan-2021
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
Doctoral Training Partnership 2018-19 University of Strathclyde | Parsonage, Ben: Maddock, Christie (Principal Investigator) Vasile, Massimiliano (Co-investigator) Parsonage, Ben (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2019 - 01-Jan-2022
Preliminary design of a UK small satellite launch system RAEng Industrial Fellowship: Maddock, Christie (Principal Investigator); 04-Jan-2017 - 31-Jan-2018
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
NSTP Small Satellite Launcher (FSPL-UK): Maddock, Christie (Principal Investigator) Minisci, Edmondo (Co-investigator); 26-Jan-2016 - 29-Jan-2016

More projects

Address

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
James Weir Building

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