Grace Kim, a graduate of Harvard College with a B.S. in Engineering Science with focus in aerospace and robotics. Originally from Maryland, her passions range from building satellites to soft robots. Previously, she interned at SpaceX, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, MITRE, Code for America, Kayhan Space, the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory, and the Stanford Intelligent Systems Laboratory. At Harvard, she served as President of Harvard College Engineering Society, PRIMUS, a Roberts Family Fellow and Chief Engineer on the Harvard Satellite Team. She has been recognized as a Marshall Scholar and is pursuing a masters in advanced computer science at the University of Cambridge.

HTR:

What does being an innovator mean to you? And how does this manifest in your daily life?

Grace Kim:

For me, being an innovator encompasses a myriad of meanings, especially given the context in which I’m frequently innovating – engineering, specifically in aerospace. Being an innovator invariably involves taking risks. This trait surfaces as you tackle the various problems you’re aiming to solve.

In engineering, risks often go hand-in-hand with embracing failure. I believe this point stands out particularly in innovation processes where you’re building on existing ideas, prototyping, and iterating. At SpaceX, one motto emphasized was “fail early and fail often.” Innovation often calls for the discovery of atypical ideas, which requires openness to failure and trying out approaches most people might not be comfortable with. This mindset is essential in technology and any field that demands creativity and the exploration of uncharted topics.

HTR:

What sparked your interest in engineering and aerospace?

Grace Kim:

I saw aerospace as an exciting and evolving field that hadn’t been fully explored yet. Now, our generation has the opportunity to delve into exciting aspects of aerospace, from satellites to interplanetary missions, such as the Mars Rovers and the Mars helicopters currently conducting groundbreaking science.

My involvement with the Harvard satellite team, which I started in my freshman year and led as project manager and Chief Engineer during my sophomore and junior years, was an enriching experience. It opened my perspective to what aerospace could be.

Beyond rockets, I discovered my love for satellites and the various possibilities they offer. This interest led to opportunities within the aerospace field, such as working with companies like Kayhan Space, MITRE, and SpaceX. Currently, some of the components I worked on are on the SpaceX Starlink V2 satellites, a thrilling achievement while I’m still in college.

One of the most exciting opportunities was my thesis work with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). They approached Harvard, seeking help with designing a Cube Satellitet, which was later named CaliPER (Calibration Post-Earth for REASON). This cube satellite aimed to characterize NASA’s flagship mission Europa Clipper, which will investigate the habitability of one of Jupiter’s Galilean moons, Europa. I was part of a trio, myself, David, and Jonathan, that worked on the Guidance, Navigation Control (GNC) system of this CubeSat.

HTR:

I’m curious about both your thesis and your time with the Harvest Satellite team. Can you share some of the key stories, challenges, and successes from these experiences?

Grace Kim:

Absolutely. The journey with the Harvardt Satellite team has spanned four to five years. One significant achievement for us came a couple of months ago. We found out through a news article about the NASA CSLI CubeSat Launch Initiative. They announced their chosen cube satellites to be launched into space over the next two years, and we were on that list.

What’s exciting about this Launch Initiative is that they provide a launch vehicle for our cube satellite. Our payload, or scientific mission, involves using shape memory alloys, specifically nitinol wires, to create a new sun-tracking mechanism for our onboard solar panels. Receiving the news about being selected for this initiative was an incredible validation of our efforts, especially considering how much we’ve been working towards this for the past four years.

Last year, we also finished building the antenna mount for ourground station, as well as starting the superstructure development through the machine shops in the active learning labs. So yes, there have been many wins for the team.

HTR:

And how about your thesis?

Grace Kim:

Moving onto my time with NASA JPL on my thesis, Jonathan, David, and I each built individual hardware mechanisms. I built the sun sensors, Jonathan crafted the control algorithms connecting all of our sensors and actuators, and David developed our reaction wheels. We managed to create a working one-degree-of-freedom system of our guidance and control mechanism for the cube satellite. It was designed to ensure that once the satellite is in space, we can maneuver it to point in specific directions and reorient itself to mission objectives when facing various environmental torques. A functional guidance and navigation system is critical, as it determines the rest of the CubeSat’s performance.

We had the opportunity to present our work at NASA JPL in early May. The feedback we received was insightful and encouraging. They were quite impressed that we managed to create a working model on a budget of $500 per person, considering CubeSats can cost up to several hundreds of thousands  at a larger scale. It was a tremendous experience for us.

HTR:

Are there any classes at Harvard that have been fundamental to allow you to achieve all of these amazing feats?

Grace Kim:

“Multi-Robot Systems” taught by Professor Stephanie Gill was influential. It sparked my interest in multi-robot systems, offering a mix of high-level lectures and hands-on experience. We worked with a variety of hardware systems, including small Turtlebot3 Waffle Pi bots. The practical experience I gained in this class inspired me to consider broader applications for multi-robot systems, such as communication network schemes for satellite constellations.

Another significant course was Space Systems Engineering, which provided a broad background in space exploration. The course covered a variety of subjects, including rocket orbits, thermal systems, and guidance and navigation systems.

HTR:

How about people or mentors? Are there key figures in your life that have contributed to your success?

Grace Kim:

Yes, indeed. Many individuals come to mind. Foremost would be our section leaders, Elaine Kristant , along with Benjamin Brown, who supervised our thesis. These two have been instrumental mentors and role models for me throughout the entire engineering process, and have supported me in many aspects of my college career beyond my thesis. They are exceptional engineers, and being able to learn from them in the active learning labs has been invaluable. They support students in a range of ways, such as aiding with different classes, theses, and projects. Their assistance throughout this process has been truly incredible, and I am very grateful for their involvement.

Additionally, Professor Robert Wood has been another significant influence on my journey. He welcomed me into the Harvard Microrobotics lab during my freshman year, providing my first exposure to research within the realm of soft robotics. There, I learned a wealth of knowledge from both my graduate student mentor Clark Teeple, who has since graduated with his Ph.D., and Professor Wood. Their guidance and support through my research journey ignited my interest in graduate school. I am profoundly thankful for their assistance in exploring what research in the field of engineering could offer.

Another key mentor has been the Environmental ADUS advisor Brian Yoon. Despite being in a different engineering discipline he provided a wealth of insight on engineering and different approaches to how I could view my work and projects, and I’ve appreciated all of his new perspectives. His advice has been crucial to me over the past few years at Harvard, and I am exceedingly thankful for his mentorship. While many others come to mind, these are the primary individuals that have influenced my academic journey.

HTR: 

Could you describe engineering at Harvard? What does it mean to you and how did you go about finding community?

Grace Kim:

Certainly, while engineering at Harvard is a growing field, it remains a small, tight-knit community. I’ve observed a considerable expansion over the past four years, which has been heartening. One of the unique aspects of Harvard’s engineering community is its intimate nature. You see the same faces across different classes, forming a tight-knit group ranging from 10 to 30 people within each concentration.

What I appreciate about this engineering community is its mutual support. Everyone is driven to uplift one another, celebrating each other’s successes, and learning together. This collaborative spirit is visible across various engineering clubs. The shared humility and dedication to impart knowledge to younger generations is truly commendable. Despite its size, this unique characteristic sets Harvard’s engineering community apart from other schools and majors.

HTR:

What advice would you give to your younger self about navigating Harvard?  

Grace Kim:

Reflecting on my own experience, the one thing I would emphasize is the importance of slowing down. It’s easy to get caught up in the Harvard hustle, but it’s vital to remember we’re all human and it’s okay to take a step back and enjoy the journey.

Harvard offers a plethora of opportunities and there’s no single right way to navigate through them. I’d advise my freshman self to follow paths that kindle passion and personal growth. Taking a more measured approach and making time to enjoy the things you truly cherish can create a more enriching Harvard experience.

HTR:

Looking into the future, what are you excited to work on?

Grace Kim:

That’s a tough one. One thing I find exciting is the multitude of paths that lie ahead. Whether it’s pursuing a Ph.D., undertaking a Masters in the UK, or diving into industry sectors like aerospace or fusion energy systems, there’s a vast array of opportunities. I am currently trying to evaluate these options through my master’s degree to figure out the exact path I wish to tread. The prospect of exploring these multiple pathways and not being afraid to delve into any one of them is an aspect I am particularly looking forward to.