MICHAEL COSTEN

AEROSPACE STRUCTURAL RESEARCH CORPORATION, Milford , CT

Business Owner / Thermal / Stress / Dynamics Engineer. Mr. Costen has extensive experience using finite element analysis in the design of aerospace, industrial and commercial components. The ground work for Mr. Costen’s expertise was obtained through 10 years of analysis work at a major turbine engine manufacturer. In this position Mr. Costen had responsibility for the structural life of critical rotating and static structural elements within new and existing engines. In 1995 Mr. Costen and Mr. Papanide founded Aerospace Structural Research Corporation, ASR. Services provided by ASR include a full range of CAD and Finite Element Analysis. Customers range from individuals to major OEM’s. Projects have ranged from pumpkin carving tools to power generation and space systems. By creating an environment of Teamwork, Dedication, Competence and Double-checking, Mr. Costen and has grown ASR Corp to a 13 employee company with revenues over a million dollars. At ASR, Mr. Costen is responsible for the performance and oversight of the stress/dynamic/thermal finite element analysis portions of projects. In addition, he is responsible for the management of proposals, customer interfacing and test oversight for various contracts. Mr. Costen’s wide range of experience is shown by the following sample of projects:

• Satellite Based Laser System – Special detectors are required to track the ozone cycle in the upper atmosphere. One detector required a highly specialized laser. ASR’s responsibility was to conceive and optimize a laser mechanical design that will meet operational thermal and launch dynamic and acceleration loads. Required the design of specialized vibration isolation systems to ensure survival of strength limited ceramic components chosen for laser performance considerations. Upon the successful launch, it became the first gas laser put into space by NASA. The system launched in 2004 and continues to contribute to a better understanding of the ozone cycle.

• Fuel Inerting System – To avoid another Flight 800 tragedy, Boeing required a novel low cost and lightweight fuel inerting system for all aircraft. ASR had the responsibility to design and optimize the oxygen separation cartridge. The cartridge and system are a success. The first commercial customer flew in August of 2005.

• Pumpkin Masters Ltd. - Performed failure analysis and testing of a hand held carving tool. Invented a handle design, which distributes blade stresses as a function of bending angle. The result is a 400% improvement in blade fatigue life. Can be found everywhere at Halloween. A patent was granted for the carving tool handle.

AWARDS

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) presents a Certificate of Recognition to Michael K. Costen for the creative development of a scientific contribution which has been determined to be of significant value in the advancement of the space and aeronautical activities of NASA and is entitled: Lightweight, Low-cost Solar Energy Collector.

The award was presented to Michael K. Costen on May 16, 2006

PATENTS

 Mr Costen has been granted Patents for the following innovations:

• Pumpkin Carving Tool

• Lightweight, High Speed Advanced Turbine Disk

• Structural Advancement for high pressure plate heat exchanger

• Light weight and Low Cost Solar Collector

• Heat Exchanger with Header Tubes

EDUCATION

 VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY , Blacksburg , VA

B.S. in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, 1985