• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2024

• University of Maryland, College Park, Aerospace Engineering, ‘25

• Host Institution: Blue Origin

Hello! I am Adam Ben Youssef, and I am currently a junior studying aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland. Residing in Maryland, visits to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Air and Space Museum sparked my interest in space from a very young age. My passion for space was solidified in my adolescence through model rocketry and an aptitude for physics and mathematics. As a rising aerospace engineer, I seek to bridge the gap between science and engineering to broaden the capabilities of our launch vehicles and payloads performing scientific missions.

Currently, I am involved in research relating to magnetic cohesion and regolith dynamics on small bodies, with the goal of uncovering the secrets behind the metallic asteroid Psyche. Moreover, I have dived into the field of controls by designing a gimbal system to alter the direction of thrust for a model rocket motor based on a closed-loop, PID controller, for the purpose of maintaining a stable attitude during the rocket's ascension. Over the course of my undergraduate studies, I have gained a plethora of applied scientific and engineering experience, highlighting my dedication to the field. Most importantly, however, my proactive nature and commitment to excellence best allude to my future achievements within the space industry.