Surabhi Bhadauria, a PhD candidate working in the Space Information Dynamics Lab of Carolin Frueh, the Harold DeGroff Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Situational awareness is the ability to understand the surrounding environment and react as needed. It’s a knack we all need, whether in crossing a street or playing sports. But it’s particularly crucial in space, with all its cosmic vastness, bustling activity, flying debris, and myriad opportunities for mishaps. Surabhi Bhadauria is a PhD candidate working in the Space Information Dynamics Lab of Carolin Frueh, the Harold DeGroff Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Bhadauria wants to more accurately monitor the cislunar region — the space between the Earth and the Moon — with swarms of electro-optical sensors. She’s applying particle swarm optimization strategy to determine how to best place the sensors to construct a wide-area network that can keep track of the environment in cislunar space.

What is your research focus, what investigative avenues are you pursuing?

My research focuses on surveillance of the cislunar region, which is becoming increasingly populated due to growing space activity beyond geostationary orbit. Traditional space domain awareness (SDA) methods, designed for near-Earth environments, are inadequate for this vast and dynamically complex region. To address this, I am investigating the use of cost-effective electro-optical sensors, strategically distributed within the cislunar plane. Using the in-plane bi-circular four-body problem (BCR4BP) model — a way to understand the motion of a smaller body that is subject to the gravitational pull of three larger bodies — as a framework, I incorporate visibility constraints such as limiting magnitude and exclusion zones from celestial bodies. I employ a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach to determine optimal sensor placement. My goal is to develop a scalable and robust surveillance strategy that enables persistent monitoring of the cislunar environment. The broader impact of this work lies in enhancing space domain awareness capabilities in this emerging operational domain, thereby supporting the safe and sustainable use of space beyond Earth orbit.

What spurred your interest in this particular line of research?

During my first semester at Purdue I took a course in orbital mechanics with Prof. Kathleen Howell; that class sparked my curiosity in the broader field of astrodynamics, and subsequent coursework deepened that interest. I eventually joined Prof. Frueh’s research group, drawn by her exciting work in space traffic management, including projects on collision avoidance, near-Earth space situational awareness, and object detection and tracking. After completing my master’s, Professor Frueh initiated a new project focused on cislunar space surveillance. The opportunity to work on orbits for space situational awareness in this emerging domain — especially as research in the cislunar region was gaining momentum — was a natural fit. It allowed me to combine my interests in multi-body dynamics and space surveillance at a critical time for the field.

Why did you choose Purdue for graduate study?

Purdue has a strong reputation for academic and research excellence, particularly in aerospace engineering. Several seniors from my undergraduate institution had previously joined Purdue, and spoke highly of the vibrant research environment and the diverse range of projects within the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Their experiences gave me confidence that Purdue would offer the intellectual challenge and opportunity I was seeking. What especially stood out to me was the flexibility in Purdue’s graduate programs, which allowed me to tailor my degree and develop skills aligned with my specific interests in astrodynamics and space situational awareness. Additionally, being part of an institution known as the ”Cradle of Astronauts” added a sense of inspiration and pride. Purdue’s collaborative atmosphere, access to interdisciplinary resources, and strong industry and alumni connections further reinforced my decision to pursue my graduate studies here.

When did you first get interested in engineering and science?

My interest in science and engineering began early, rooted in a deep fascination for space above us for as long as I can remember. A major influence was my grandfather, a paratrooper in the Indian Army, who used to share incredible stories of his parachute jumps from helicopters. During summer vacations in my village, we used to have story time every night when he would tell stories to me and my brother under the night sky, pointing out constellations, weaving tales about the stars and several other subjects. Those moments sparked a sense of wonder and curiosity about what lies beyond our world. Alongside that, I naturally gravitated towards math and science in school. I appreciated how these subjects offered clear, logical solutions, which gave me confidence in my learning and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career where I could apply them — ultimately leading me to engineering.

What’s it like studying at Purdue?

Studying at Purdue has been a highly rewarding experience. It’s a place where you’re constantly surrounded by leading minds in teaching and research, which creates a dynamic and inspiring environment. I’ve had the privilege of working with my advisor, Professor Frueh, who has been exceptionally supportive and understanding of my academic and professional goals. Through her mentorship, I’ve had the chance to contribute to cutting-edge projects, collaborate with experts from both industry and academia, and engage in meaningful research and mentoring opportunities. The collaborative spirit at Purdue extends beyond just faculty — my peers are equally driven and supportive, and we often work together in a collegial atmosphere that encourages knowledge-sharing, innovation, and mutual growth.

What else have you learned at Purdue beyond subject matter?

My time as a graduate student at Purdue has taught me much more than just subject-specific knowledge. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the scientific method — not merely as a structured process, but as a mindset grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and continuous refinement. Working on collaborative projects has further strengthened my abilities in teamwork, communication, and navigating diverse perspectives. In addition to research, I’ve taken advantage of several professional development opportunities offered at Purdue, such as the Trailblazer in Engineering program, the Engineering Academic Career Club summer workshops, and the PLaCE (Purdue Language Center) Writing Workshops. These experiences have significantly enhanced my writing, presentation skills, and job search strategies, supporting both my success as a graduate student and my preparation for a future career in academia.

What is the Purdue research environment like? Have you been able to teach and publish?

The research environment at Purdue has been enriching, particularly within the Space Information Dynamics Lab. In addition to individual meetings with Dr. Frueh, our lab regularly holds group and peer meetings where we share research methods, findings, and future research directions. These sessions foster a collaborative atmosphere that helps us stay updated on relevant developments in the field and encourages constructive feedback.

I was also honored to be awarded the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Teaching Fellowship. Through this fellowship, I collaborated with Dr. Frueh in preparing solutions for exams and assignments for the course Dynamics and Vibrations in Fall 2023, where I served as a teaching assistant. In Spring 2024, I was the instructor of record for the same course, solely responsible for teaching a class of over 50 students. I designed lectures to promote interaction and critical thinking, incorporating methods such as student recaps, iClicker questions, and real-world applications. This opportunity allowed me to mentor and advise undergraduate students through frequent and meaningful interactions. For my efforts, I was honored with the Estus H. and Vashti L. Magoon Teaching Award by the College of Engineering at Purdue University in April 2025.

I have also had the opportunity to contribute to several publications during my time at Purdue, and have presented my research at leading conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. Our work on cislunar space domain awareness was also the subject of a number of news stories by media. For my academic and research contributions, I was selected as a Trailblazer in Engineering Fellow at Purdue in 2023, and participated in the 2024 Future Leaders in Aerospace Symposium, jointly organized by MIT AeroAstro, Stanford, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Penn State.

What advice might you give to other students deciding where to attend graduate school?

It’s important to talk to current or former students from the labs you’re considering. Understanding a professor’s mentoring style can be critical — graduate school is a long-term commitment, and having a supportive, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment makes all the difference. If you’re unsure of your exact specialization, that’s perfectly okay. I started out transitioning from Materials and Metallurgical Engineering to Aerospace Engineering, and wasn’t clear on my focus initially. Taking a diverse set of courses and participating in smaller projects helped me discover what I truly enjoy. As for Purdue, I always tell prospective students that it offers a highly flexible and open academic environment. I was able to find an advisor and research project that matched my evolving interests, and I’ve had the opportunity to grow in a direction that I’m passionate about. Purdue fosters interdisciplinary exploration and supports students in tailoring their graduate experience to fit their unique path.

What about the future? What are your goals; what are you looking to accomplish in this field?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey in academia and plan to continue along this path. After completing my Ph.D. this summer, I will be joining the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach as an Assistant Professor. My research will focus on advancing the field of space domain awareness and contributing to sustainable solutions for space exploration. Equally important to me is mentoring and teaching the next generation of engineers. I believe education is a powerful tool that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. My goal is to provide high-quality education and create a supportive learning environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation.

Sounds like you have a busy schedule. What about your free time, outside work?

When I’m not diving into space research, you’ll probably find me enjoying nature, painting, or turning my living space into a mini-jungle. I like to think of myself as an “artist in progress” — someone who’s trying to capture the beauty of nature, whether it’s through a brushstroke, a camera lens, or a new houseplant. I also have an ongoing quest to read 12 books a year… though I usually hover around 10 or 11 (close enough, right?). Let’s just say both my art and my reading goals are works in progress!