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UPT student saves Air Force millions

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. James Ramirez
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- --  When 2nd Lt. Michael Trubilla began a research project at the Air Force Academy in the summer of 2010, he had no idea what heights it would propel him to. What began as something to keep busy would eventually form into propulsion for satellites that could save the Air Force hundreds of millions of dollars.

Trubilla's research focused specifically on Sterling engines which power small satellites, a design the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has invested over $50 million to but has never utilized operationally.

Trubilla solved propulsion problems by creating a design that permitted less pure forms of plutonium to power the satellite's generator. His design also ensured radioactive material was safe for reentry into the atmosphere and added a failsafe that prevents potential recovery for nuclear weapons development. These are only a few of the positive outcomes of his beneficial designs.

"Receiving this award was kind of a surprise and when I originally did the research, I thought it wasn't anything all that special," said Trubilla. "Then it won for the astronautics department, then engineering, then all of USAFA and then a surprise phone call came saying it had won for the Air Force level."

Trubilla received the Air Force Science and Technology Cadet Research Award Aug. 25 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, among the company of many generals and leaders in the space industry.

Having accomplished so much in the field of astronautics, Trubilla would still like to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pilot here at Laughlin. "Getting my pilot wings is my number one goal here," he said.

Given the background in astronautical engineering, Trubilla does not consider his time working in the space field as done. "I have the degree and given the work I did on this project, it would be a waste for me not to get back into that. I mean, I'm still the kid that has the dream of becoming an astronaut."

Trubilla is currently attending Initial Flight Screening in Pueblo, Colo., which is just the beginning for his much larger goals.