Atilla Saadat
Atilla Saadat began his career at Turion Space Corp. in 2022 after completing his Master’s Degree in Aerospace Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto. As a key member of the Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineering team, Atilla has played a crucial role in advancing the company's satellite missions and technologies.
Working collaboratively with his colleagues, Atilla contributed to the GNC efforts for the Droid.001 and Droid.002 satellite missions, participating in hardware testing campaigns from inception to execution. The team’s collective efforts led to significant improvements in automated testing and analysis processes, enhancing efficiency and reliability in satellite operations.
One of Atilla’s notable achievements was he helped develop an advanced Resident Space Object (RSO) tracking algorithm for Turion’s DROID.001 satellite, enabling multi-object tracking and optimizing image quality through careful planning of imaging sequences and attitude commands. The algorithm integrated a comprehensive simulation environment and star-tracker constraints, enhancing Turion’s space situational awareness capabilities by optimizing operational workflows and automating the generation of precise, ready-to-upload flight scripts.
Additionally, the team developed automated GNC hardware testing and analysis tools that revolutionized Turion’s testing campaigns by increasing efficiency and accuracy, ensuring that satellites meet rigorous performance and reliability standards. In 2022, Atilla won first place in the Frank J. Redd Student Competition at the Small Sat Conference for his paper on “Attitude Determination with Self-Inspection Cameras Repurposed as Earth Horizon Sensors,” demonstrating his innovative approach and significant contributions to the field of redundant satellite attitude determination.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Atilla continues to contribute to the aerospace community. He serves as the Aerospace Education Officer at Civil Air Patrol Squadron 232, where he educates cadets on the principles of aerospace and rocketry. He also actively participates in the AIAA Los Angeles / Orange County sections and EAA Chapter 92, where he engages in aerospace engineering discussions and shares his knowledge with peers and aspiring engineers.
Atilla's dedication, innovative thinking and collaborative spirit have made him an invaluable asset to Turion Space Corp. and the broader aerospace community. His selection for the SSPI 20 under 35 list is a testament to his outstanding contributions and potential for continued growth in the field.
