• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2024

• University of Virginia, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, ‘24

• Host Institution: Vast Space

Temidayo Akinbi is a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, double-majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She has also been accepted into the accelerated Master's program at UVA for a Master's in Systems Engineering. During her time at UVA, Temidayo was selected for a Space Policy internship with the Mars Reconnaissance Team in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, where she completed a 10-week internship, enhancing her skillset in aerospace and policy.

Passionate about space electronics and robotics, she is currently completing her Capstone project in the design and development of the Hypersonic ReEntry Deployable Glider Experiment (HEDGE) CubeSat at the University of Virginia. Working as a Communications Engineer, Temidayo plays a vital role in aiding the radio communications subteam, acting as a liaison between the communications, software, and avionics subteams.

Additionally, Temidayo serves as an executive member of the National Society of Black Engineers, as their Conference Planning Chair, actively contributing to the organization of their National Conference.

Upon graduation from the University of Virginia, she looks forward to completing her Master's program and entering the Aerospace industry. Temidayo is determined to leverage her expertise in mechanical and aerospace engineering to revolutionize the field of space exploration. She aspires to develop cutting-edge robotics and intelligent autonomous systems, aiming to significantly advance the capabilities and efficiency of spacecraft. As an Avionics Mechanical Engineer at Vast Space this summer, she is excited about the opportunity to be at the forefront of aerospace innovation. Her role in the space station design and development process is not just a career milestone but also a chance to actively propel the “New Space” frontier forward.