Lighter Than Air Systems

Manish Tripathi worked as a Project Research Scientist at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai and is currently working as a Post-doc/Assistant Professor at the Silesian University of Technology., Poland. He obtained his B. Tech. (Aerospace Engineering), M. Tech. (Avionics) from Amity University, NOIDA and Ph.D. from the Defense Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. His major areas of research interests include aerodynamics of Lighter-than-Air systems, machine learning for aerodynamic shape optimization, aerodynamics of unconventional lifting surfaces like grid fins and inflatable wings, high speed nozzle applications, wind energy as well as bio-inspired aerodynamics. He has published 12 papers in respected international journals and 16 conference forums. Dr. Manish has received two best paper awards, as well as a patent grant in the Indian Patent Office. He is also a recipient of the Prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Post-docs from Germany. Currently, he is a recognised reviewer across various reputed International Journals. He is also a key technical member of various LTA system forums like the AIAA LTA Technical Committee, and the IMIEU U-LTA platform.

K. M. Kiran Babu is currently a Faculty Member (Associate Professor) in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at Annasaheb Dange College of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, Sangli. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from Anna University and Hindustan Institute of Technology and Sciences, Chennai. His PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, is in the area of Lighter-Than-Air systems for Planetary Exploration, with his thesis titled "Design and Sizing of Buoyant Systems for Planetary Exploration". His research interests are in the conceptual design and optimization of Aerial Systems, specifically in Lighter-Than-Air systems. His research outcomes include a granted patent titled "BUOYANCY CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A LIGHTER THAN AIR SYSTEM AND A METHOD THEREOF", publications in journal articles and conference proceedings, and recognition such as the Outstanding Student (Research) Award from the ISTE Maharashtra-Goa Section (2023-24) and the Best Teacher Award - 2023 from Sant Dnyaneshwar Shikshan Sanstha, Islampur.