Ryan Timoney

About Ryan Timoney

Senior Mechanical & Space Systems Engineer with an expertise in the development of robotic systems for planetary surface exploration and ISRU, specializing in the development of novel geotechnical tools including excavators, drills and sampling mechanisms. I\'ve accrued 13 years of hands-on experience developing flight and scientific hardware for extreme environments, and leading studies for customers including NASA, ESA, ASA, UKSA and DARPA. I’m as comfortable designing and testing hardware as I am authoring publications, leading proposals and developing new opportunities.As an ISRU specialist, I’ve developed hardware over the complete value chain - from prospecting to manufacturing using local feedstock. I’m currently supporting the development of robust mobility solutions aligned with improving the reach of both human exploration and scientific payloads on the lunar surface. I\'m particularly interested in reducing the barriers to exploration via the adoption of increased cadence/low cost mission architectures harnessing modern design practices, the availability of off-the-shelf componentry and the miniaturization of ever-capable scientific instruments to fill existing knowledge gaps.I continue to hold research interests focused upon lunar resource prospecting and extraction for ISRU, Mars Deep Frontier and Ocean World exploration. Technologies I have developed have found application in the subglacial exploration of Earth\'s Polar Regions in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). I\'ve endured multiple expeditions to Antarctica, accruing months spent living in camp accommodation ‘on ice’ at latitudes exceeding 80° south at temperatures below -25°C, and these trips are a testament to my commitment to my work. I relish the opportunity to continue delivering hardware capable of surviving the harshest of conditions.

Experience

1. Mechanical Engineer

   Astrolab

   Dec 2024 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   Developing mobile robotic hardware to aid in the exploration of the lunar surface.

Education

• University of Glasgow

  Master of Engineering - MEng, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering

  2008 — 2014

• University of Glasgow

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering

  2014 — 2019