Build, Solder & Code

I AM A ROBOTICS ENGINEER AT THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY - NASA.

I DEVELOP GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT THAT IS USED TO TEST THE NEXT MARS ROVER DUE TO LAUNCH IN 2020.

My passion for space, electronics, and computer science stems from my desire to bring into reality meaningful technologies.

ABOUT

From a young age I have always had an interest in science. In order to foster those interests, I attended Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) in Mexico where I obtained a BS in Mechatronics engineering. During my undergraduate career I was part of research internships at Carnegie Mellon University, MIT and Willow Garage. In 2012, I received early admission to the Aeronautics and Astronautics graduate program at MIT. While at MIT, I worked under the leadership of Professor Paulo Lozano in the Space Propulsion Laboratory. During my Master's and PhD studies I focused on the design, construction and characterization of a magnetically levitated testbed for CubeSats. This testbed was used to measure the performance of electrospray thrusters.
In 2017 I joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. I engineer test equipment which tests and ensures that the new Mars rover functions as expected.

INTERESTS

MECHATRONICS

The fusion of mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering fascinates me. The field of space-robotics is particularly interesting to me as it allows humans to extend their capabilities beyond physiological limits. I have worked on mechatronic systems such as robotic grippers and robotic landers.

PUBLICATIONS

F. Mier-Hicks and P. Lozano. “Electrospray Thrusters as Precise Attitude Control Actuators for Small Satellites”. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics.

F. Mier-Hicks and P. Lozano. “Spacecraft Charging Characteristics Induced by the Operation of Electrospray Thrusters”. Journal of Propulsion and Power.

F. Mier-Hicks, P. Lozano. “Thrust Measurements of Ion Electrospray Thrusters using a CubeSat Compatible Magnetically Levitated Thrust Balance”. International Electric Propulsion Conference 2015. Kobe, Japan.

D. Krejci, F. Mier-Hicks, R. Thomas and T. Haag. "Emission characteristics of passively fed electrospray microthrusters with propellant reservoirs" Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets.

F. Mier-Hicks. "Characterization on a magnetically levitated testbed for electrospray propulsion systems".Master Thesis, MIT 2014

M. Ciocarlie, F. Mier-Hicks, R. Holmberg, J. Hawke, M. Schlicht, J. Gee, S. Stanford and R. Bahadur. “The Velo gripper: A versatile single-actuator design for enveloping, parallel and fingertip grasps”. The International Journal of Robotics Research 2014

F. Mier-Hicks, L. Perna, C. Coffman and P. Lozano. “Characterization of a CubeSat compatible magnetically levitated thrust balance for electrospray propulsion systems”. Joint Propulsion Conference 2013

M. Ciocarlie, F. Mier-Hicks and S. Stanford. “Kinetic and dimensional optimization for a tendon-driven gripper“ Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2013

SATELLITE ENGINEERING

I have experience in small satellite engineering, specifically electrospray propulsion systems. These types of electric thrusters accelerate ions from an ionic liquid using an electric field. The small scale in these engines makes them ideal for use in small satellites.