At FreeFall Aerospace, developing new technology also means helping develop the next generation of professionals.
This year, FreeFall welcomed interns who worked alongside the team on real products, contributed to testing, prototyping, operations, and product development, and gained firsthand experience in a professional aerospace environment.
Rather than observing from the sidelines, FreeFall interns are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, contribute to active projects, and learn directly from the team. From inflatable reflectors and optical testing to deployable structures, thermal vacuum testing, procurement, and product assembly, this year’s interns gained experience far beyond the classroom.
For many of them, the experience also clarified what they want to pursue next while offering a closer look at the collaborative, iterative process of bringing aerospace technology to life.
Aidan Parks
Aidan Parks is a junior studying Systems Engineering at the University of Arizona after transferring to the university this semester. He got his start in engineering through a Pima JTED Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, where he began building the foundation for the engineering path he is pursuing today.
During his internship, Aidan worked on FreeFall’s lenticular reflector project, testing materials considered for use as membranes in inflatable antennas. His work focused on understanding their optical characteristics so the engineering team could evaluate their potential for future reflector designs.
Through the process, he gained experience in optics, test operations, writing test plans and procedures, data collection, and communicating results.
“I learned a lot about optics and test operations. I also learned and practiced writing test plans and procedures, collecting the data needed to make engineering decisions, and communicating results with stakeholders.”
A highlight of his internship was visiting the University of Arizona’s Applied Research Building, where he helped test FreeFall’s 1-meter reflector inside the thermal vacuum chamber.
The experience reinforced Aidan’s interest in aerospace engineering and his desire to eventually work on instruments and systems that support space science and exploration. It also gave him a deeper appreciation for the importance of properly designed testing in making engineering decisions.
Aidan will return to the University of Arizona for his junior year while continuing to work with FreeFall’s testing team as development of the inflatable reflector progresses.
Outside of engineering, he enjoys hiking with friends, reading with his book club, and watching movies.
Miguel Rafael
M. Ruiz
Miguel Rafael M. Ruiz is entering his senior year at the University of Arizona, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Physiology and Medical Sciences with an emphasis in Exercise and Extreme Physiology.
Coming from a medical and physiology background, Miguel brought a different perspective to FreeFall. During his internship, he helped develop a streamlined procurement and inventory system using Smartsheet, creating a workflow for submitting, approving, purchasing, receiving, and inventorying materials. He also helped organize the lab to support the new process.
One of his favorite experiences was working on the 20th MATE hardware unit, following it from procurement and receiving through assembly, finalization, and shipping.
“It was very rewarding to see it come in as individual parts and eventually leave as a completed product.”
Beyond learning about aerospace technology and antennas, Miguel developed professional communication skills and gained confidence working in a field that was initially unfamiliar to him.
“I learned that with the willingness to adapt, ask for help, and learn from others, I can contribute even in an environment where I initially feel like I don’t belong.”
Miguel will return to the University of Arizona for his senior year while seeking experience under the mentorship of a physical therapist. His long-term goal is to establish a clinic in his hometown.
Outside of school and work, he enjoys playing volleyball, reading comics, and exploring new topics that interest him.
Gabriel Neff
Gabriel Neff is a senior at the University of Arizona studying Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Classics.
During his internship, Gabriel worked with FreeFall’s 1-meter and 150-millimeter membrane reflectors. Alongside the team, he helped set up in-house experiments using deflectometry and spot-size measurements to characterize thin membrane reflectors.
While Gabriel gained valuable technical experience, one of his biggest lessons was learning the importance of asking questions.
“I think that I really developed my ability to say, ‘I don’t know what this means; could you explain this to me?’ Dustin Blanchard and the whole team really incentivize making FreeFall a learning environment.”
One of his favorite moments came at the Applied Research Building, when the team successfully produced a particularly flat and reflective Mylar layup. Seeing everyone contribute to the process demonstrated how quickly a collaborative team can make progress.
That environment strengthened Gabriel’s enthusiasm for continuing a career in engineering and showed him the value of working on a small team where people depend on and learn from one another.
This fall, Gabriel will continue working at FreeFall while completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona.
Outside of school and work, he enjoys hiking, traveling to new places, and live music.
Iker Losada Samano
Iker Losada Samano is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Arizona and will begin his third year this fall.
Much of Iker’s internship focused on FreeFall’s Deployable Perimeter Truss Ring (DPTR) project. He also participated in thermal-vacuum testing of the 1-meter lenticular reflector.
During testing at the University of Arizona’s Applied Research Building, the team introduced him to the concepts behind the facility’s large thermal vacuum chamber. Iker also had the opportunity to work inside the chamber, helping position and tension the reflector.
His favorite experience was watching the DPTR project progress through multiple versions.
“Watching the project evolve from the first design and print to the current version meant we had to overcome many challenges, and I learned a lot along the way.”
That process taught Iker an important lesson about real-world product development: the first idea rarely becomes the final design. Testing, problem-solving, and iterative refinement are critical to creating technology that works as intended.
The experience strengthened his decision to pursue aerospace engineering and showed him that a professional engineering environment could also provide opportunities to use his creativity and interests.
Iker will return to the University of Arizona this fall while continuing to work part-time at FreeFall.
Outside of engineering, he is passionate about photography and particularly enjoys astrophotography..
Adam Esch
Adam Esch is a junior at the University of Arizona studying Electrical and Computer Engineering with a concentration in Computer Engineering.
This year, Adam continued work on software he previously helped develop for FreeFall’s ASU-AllSky and QLR-MATE projects, maintaining and adding features to code that controls and moves antenna systems. Returning to code he had written nearly a year earlier also taught him the importance of documentation, code cleanliness, and version control.
“In the courses I’ve taken, the content usually focused on theory and syntax, not on documenting and future-proofing the code you write.”
One of Adam’s favorite moments was seeing the MATE system he helped develop control and track eight stages at once after previously seeing his software operate only one or two. The experience also helped him see a potential career path in something he had already enjoyed doing on his own.
“I’ve been working on software very similar to what has gone into the projects here for years, just as a hobby. Seeing my hobby become an integral part of a product running out in the wild has been crazy.”
Adam will return to the University of Arizona this fall to continue his degree and explore potential research opportunities. Outside of school and work, he enjoys hardware/software projects and landscape photography.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
At FreeFall Aerospace, students can contribute to real technologies, work alongside experienced engineers, participate in testing, learn from unexpected results, and see firsthand how aerospace systems move from an idea to something that can ultimately operate in the real world.
This year’s interns contributed across a wide range of disciplines, from reflector testing, optics, and mechanical design to software and hardware integration. Along the way, they gained something hard to replicate in a classroom: experience solving real engineering problems as part of a collaborative team.
For several of the interns, their work with FreeFall will continue as they return to their studies, giving them the opportunity to build academic knowledge and industry experience at the same time.
By creating meaningful opportunities for students to contribute alongside its team, FreeFall is helping strengthen the connection between Arizona’s universities and its aerospace industry while giving emerging engineers the opportunity to build technical skills, confidence, professional relationships, and a clearer picture of where their careers might take them.
We are grateful for the contributions of all five of this year’s interns and excited to see what they build next.
