Dr. Jubilee Prasad Rao

Strategic Defense & Aerospace R&D Leader

Leading innovation in Space Domain Awareness, Cyber-Physical Security, and Machine Learning applications for national security. Principal Investigator or Lead for $2.5M+ in federal research funding, coordinating 25+ companies in critical U.S. space defense programs.

Dr. Jubilee Prasad Rao briefing U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations
Briefing U.S. Space Force leadership on Space Domain Awareness Technologies
$2.5M+
Federal Funding as PI/Lead
13
Peer-Reviewed Publications
47
Citations
25+
Companies Coordinated

About Me

Principal R&D Engineer and technology leader with extraordinary expertise in space domain awareness, cyber-physical systems security, and machine learning applications for national security. Recognized leader coordinating multi-company initiatives for the U.S. Space Force and serving as Principal Investigator on critical defense research programs.

Current Leadership Role

Hostility Monitoring Subsystem Lead - U.S. Space Force SDA TAP Lab, coordinating 25+ companies in developing critical space defense capabilities. Selected to brief technologies directly to 3 and 4 star generals and Congressional committee members.

Space Domain Awareness

  • Foreign rocket launch detection
  • Space threat assessment
  • Battle management systems
  • Real-time monitoring

Cyber-Physical Security

  • Military vehicle protection
  • Satellite health monitoring
  • Intrusion detection systems
  • Critical infrastructure security

Machine Learning & AI

  • Predictive analytics
  • Anomaly detection
  • Signal processing
  • Algorithm optimization

Professional Experience

Jun 2019 - May 2025

Principal R&D Engineer

GTC Analytics

Hostility Monitoring Subsystem Lead - U.S. Space Force SDA TAP Lab (2024-2025)
~$500K in contracts • Coordinating 25+ companies
  • Principal Investigator - NASA SBIR Phase II ($750K) for satellite health monitoring
  • Proposals & Contracts - Directly responsible for ~($2.5M) in contracts
  • Lead Engineer - U.S. Space Force rocket launch detection systems using seismic/infrasound data
  • Lead Engineer - U.S. Army military vehicle cybersecurity (99.9% detection accuracy)
  • Key Contributor - DTRA and DHS multi-source radiation threat localization (100x efficiency improvement)
  • Presented technologies to Vice Chief of Space Operations and Congressional committees
  • Led multi-agency and intl. collaborations with NASA, Space Force, Army, Navy, DTRA, and private organizations
  • University collaborations with Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt Univ., Naval Post Graduate School, and Univ. of Michigan.
Dec 2018 - May 2019

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Rutgers University

  • Developed and optimized hybrid air and underwater multi-rotor vehicles
  • Enhanced simulation models for multi-rotor vehicle performance prediction
  • Created AI-based surrogate models achieving 98% accuracy
  • Mentored undergraduate and graduate research students
Sep 2013 - Sep 2018

Graduate Student Researcher

Rutgers University

  • Developed a novel cyclic pitch wind/tidal turbine technology
  • Conducted extensive wind tunnel and water channel testing
  • Applied machine learning models for renewable energy system optimization
  • Won DOE CleanTech Prize (2nd place, $15K, 1st was Princeton)
  • Received ASME Best Technical Paper Award $3K in Seoul, South Korea
Sep 2015 - Jun 2019

Teaching Assistant/Instructor

Rutgers University

  • Primary instructor for Engineering Statics (100+ students) and Heat Transfer
  • Assisted in teaching courses in Engineering Statics, Aerodynamics, and Thermodynamics
  • Developed and delivered curriculum and planned and coordinated exams
  • Mentored students in laboratory experiments and data analysis

Major Projects & Research Programs

NASA
$750,000

Satellite Health Monitoring Framework

Principal Investigator - Developed reusable cyber-physical fault detection tools for satellites and UAVs achieving 90% anomaly detection with <1% false positives.

Machine Learning Space Systems Cyber-physical security
  • Reduces small satellite development costs
  • Real-time anomaly detection algorithms
  • Scalability and rapid adoptability
  • Technology proven on operational datasets
U.S. Space Force
$500,000

Space Domain Awareness Battle Management

Subsystem Lead - Led Hostility Monitoring subsystem for Welder's Arc battle management system, coordinating 25+ companies.

Space Defense Real-time Systems Systems Integration
  • Foreign rocket launch detection using seismic/infrasound
  • Reduced response generation time from hours to <1 minute
  • Automated threat assessment workflows
  • Briefed 3 and 4 star generals and Congress members
U.S. Army
$179,000

Military Vehicle Cybersecurity

Lead Engineer - Implemented cyber-physical intrusion detection system for military ground vehicles achieving 99.9% detection accuracy.

Cybersecurity Automotive Real-time Detection
  • Clock-based intrusion detection system (CIDS)
  • Hardware testbed with multiple attack scenarios
  • 99.9% accuracy across suspension, injection, masquerading attacks
  • Collaboration with U.S. Army GVSC officials
U.S. Navy
$146,000

Pilot Training Optimization

Lead Engineer - Machine learning system for predicting pilot training attrition, potentially saving $20M annually.

Machine Learning Predictive Analytics Training Optimization
  • Pre-identified 50% of attrition cases
  • Optimized training assignment algorithms
  • Enhanced military readiness
  • Collaborative research with Navy personnel
DTRA
$1M

Radiation Threat Detection

Key Contributor - Developed radiation localization algorithms achieving 100x computational efficiency improvement.

Nuclear Security Algorithm Optimization Edge Computing
  • Multi-source radiation localization
  • Real-time deployment on mobile platforms
  • Automated nuclear threat search pipeline
  • 100x efficiency improvement for edge deployment
Dept of Energy
DOE Prize Winner

Cyclic Pitch Turbine

Inventor - Developed a novel vertical axis turbine with 30% higher efficiency than conventional designs.

Renewable Energy Mechanical Design Patent Applied
  • Dual cam cyclic pitching mechanism
  • Wind tunnel and water channel validated
  • Won ASME Best Technical Paper award
  • DOE CleanTech Prize (2nd place, $15K)

Selected Publications & Patents

2024

Machine learning-based surrogates for eVTOL performance prediction and design optimization

J.P. Rao, S.N. Chimata

Metascience in Aerospace, Volume 1, Pages 246-267

Developed advanced machine learning surrogates for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle performance optimization, enabling rapid design space exploration for next-generation aviation systems.

2023

Detecting Manufacturing Defects in PCBs via Data-Centric Machine Learning on Solder Paste Inspection Features

J. Prasad-Rao, R. Heidary, J. Williams

arXiv preprint arXiv:2309.03113

Data-centric machine learning approach to detect PCB manufacturing defects across 15,000 PCBsimprove automated quality control in electronics manufacturing.

2023

Attrition Risk and Aircraft Suitability Prediction in US Navy Pilot Training Using Machine Learning

J. Prasad-Rao, O.J. Pinon Fischer, N.C. Rowe, J.R. Williams, T.G. Puranik, D.N. Mavris, B.W. Atkinson

Aerospace, Volume 10, Issue 4, Article 379

Collaborative research with U.S. Navy personnel developing machine learning algorithms to predict pilot training outcomes, with potential to save $20M annually through optimized training assignments.

2023

A Reusable Framework for Fault Detection and Isolation in Small Satellites

J.P. Rao, J. Pace, J. Williams, R. Mackey, L. He, C. Menegazzo

37th Annual Small Satellite Conference

Presented NASA-funded framework achieving >95% anomaly detection in satellite systems with reusable, rapidly deployable architecture reducing small satellite development costs.

2022

Experimental study into optimal configuration and operation of two-four rotor coaxial systems for EVTOL vehicles

J. Prasad Rao, J.E. Holzsager, M.M. Maia, J.F. Diez

Aerospace, Volume 9, Issue 8, Article 452

Comprehensive experimental analysis of coaxial rotor configurations for electric aviation, providing critical design insights for emerging urban air mobility systems.

2018

Novel Cyclic Blade Pitching Mechanism for Wind and Tidal Energy Turbine Applications

J. Prasad Rao, F.J. Diez

Energies, Volume 11, Issue 12, Article 3328

Mathematical model and experimental validation of patented cyclic pitch turbine demonstrating superior performance to conventional Savonius designs.

Patent Filed 2016

Dual Cam Cyclic Pitch Turbine

J. Prasad Rao, F.J. Diez

US Patent Application 20160377055 A1

Patent: Dual cam mechanism that pitches the blades of a vertical axis turbine to efficiently harness energy from tides, rivers, ocean currents and wind, achieving 30% higher efficiency than conventional designs.

Patent Filed 2023

Detecting Anomalous Behavior in Aerial Vehicles

L. He, J. Pace, J. Prasad Rao, J. Williams

US Patent Application 18/460,926 A1

Patent:Detecting anomalies in aerial vehicle components using unsupervised machine learning and graph techniques

Publication Summary: 14 total publications • 47 citations • H-index: 4
Published in top-ranked journals including Aerospace (#9 globally) and Energies (#9 in sustainable energy)

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Federal Recognition & Leadership

  • NASA SBIR Phase II Principal Investigator

    $750,000 Award • 2022-2024

    Selected as PI for highly competitive NASA SBIR Phase II program with <10% acceptance rate, developing satellite health monitoring technology.

  • U.S. Space Force Subsystem Lead

    ~$500,000 in contracts • 2024-2025

    Selected to lead Hostility Monitoring subsystem for critical space defense program, coordinating 25+ companies in battle management system development.

  • Multiple Federal Funding Awards

    $2.5M+ total funding acquired

    Principal Investigator and Lead Engineer on projects for NASA, Space Force, Army, Navy, and Department of Energy.

Academic & Professional Awards

  • DOE CleanTech University Prize - 2nd Place

    $15,000 Award • 2017

    National competition for renewable energy technology business pitch, recognizing innovation in clean energy microgrid technology.

  • ASME Best Technical Paper & Scholar Award

    $3,000 Award • 2015

    Recognized for outstanding research on cyclic pitch turbine technology at international AJK-ASME Conference in Seoul, South Korea.

  • Rutgers Graduate Assistanceship and Grants

    2013-2018

    Competitive assistanceship and grants for doctoral studies and research in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Professional Service & Leadership

Editorial & Review Service
  • Peer reviewer for Aerospace journal (#9 globally)
  • Peer reviewer for Energies journal (#9 in sustainable energy)
  • Technical committee member PHM Society conferences
  • Session chair for technical paper sessions
Professional Memberships
  • SAE IVHM & Cybersecurity Committee Member
  • PHM Society Member
  • ASME Member
  • Contributing to industry standards development
Invited Presentations
  • NASA Prognostics Center of Excellence
  • NSF Cyber-Physical Systems Symposium
  • PHM Society Cybersecurity Panel
  • Congressional committee and military briefings

Technical Expertise

Space & Defense Systems

Space Domain Awareness Battle Management Systems Rocket Launch Detection Satellite Systems Threat Assessment System Architecture

Cyber-Physical Security

Intrusion Detection Vehicle Cybersecurity Anomaly Detection Real-time Monitoring Critical Infrastructure Predictive Maintenance

AI & Machine Learning

Machine Learning Deep Learning Signal Processing Predictive Analytics Algorithm Development Data Science

Systems Engineering

Systems Integration Model-Based Systems Engineering Requirements Analysis Architecture Design Testing & Validation Technology Transition

Technical Tools & Languages

MATLAB Python LaTex Django CAD Software Arduino

Contact Information

Location

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Current Status

Last Role as Principal R&D Engineer at GTC Analytics

Hostility Monitoring Subsystem Lead - U.S. Space Force SDA TAP Lab

Available for collaboration on advanced technology R&D projects and national security applications.