Prachi Sukhnani
About Prachi Sukhnani
Prachi Sukhnani is an Engineering Intern at Rocket Lab and Systems Design Lead at the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, both positions held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She has a background in Aerospace Engineering and has contributed to various projects, including environmental qualification campaigns and software upgrades.
Work at Rocket Lab
Prachi Sukhnani has been working as an Engineering Intern at Rocket Lab since 2021. In this role, she has contributed to significant projects, including supporting a full environmental qualification campaign for Rocket Lab's largest wheel, which involved EMC/EMI, vibration, and TVAC testing. She also played a key role in commissioning Sinclair's third thermal chamber and three new burn-in stations to enhance testing throughput. Additionally, she compiled functional test kits for various types of reaction wheels and star trackers, demonstrating her involvement in critical engineering processes.
Education and Expertise
Prachi Sukhnani studied at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Engineering Science with a focus on Aerospace Engineering from 2018 to 2022. Her academic background provided her with a solid foundation in engineering principles and practices. Prior to her university education, she completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Hangzhou International School from 2016 to 2018, further enhancing her analytical and problem-solving skills.
Background in Aerospace Engineering
In addition to her current role at Rocket Lab, Prachi has been actively involved with the University of Toronto Aerospace Team since 2020, serving as Systems Design Lead. She previously worked as a Design Team Member from 2019 to 2020. Her experience in these roles has allowed her to develop practical skills in aerospace systems design and project management. Furthermore, she volunteered as a Research Assistant at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies in 2020, where she contributed to research efforts in aerospace engineering.
Leadership and Communication Experience
Prachi Sukhnani served as the Vice President of Public Relations for the University of Toronto Toastmasters in 2020. This role involved managing communication strategies and promoting events, which helped her develop strong leadership and public speaking skills. Additionally, she worked as a Digital Content Manager at the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering from 2018 to 2019, where she was responsible for creating and managing digital content, further enhancing her communication and organizational abilities.
Technical Contributions and Projects
Throughout her engineering career, Prachi has made notable technical contributions. She upgraded magnet orientation verification code to Python as part of a software overhaul effort. Her hands-on experience includes conducting thermal and burn-in tests on reaction wheels to qualify them for flight. She has also advanced reaction wheel production through tasks such as PCB inspection, winding stators, installing hall sensors, and integrating rotors, showcasing her technical proficiency in aerospace engineering.