Aerospace Engineer — Structural Dynamics & Spacecraft Structures

Fabio Cavagna

PhD Candidate in Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Milano · Milan, Italy

About

Fabio Cavagna is a PhD researcher in Aerospace Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software. His research focuses on decoupling methodologies for fixed-base modal analysis, with particular emphasis on experimental and numerical approaches for spacecraft structures.

He graduated in Space Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 2023 and completed an Advanced Master's degree in Aeronautical and Space Structures at ISAE-SUPAERO in 2024. He has also gained professional experience through internships at Thales Alenia Space and CNES, the French Space Agency.

His areas of expertise include structural dynamics, modal analysis, environmental testing, and numerical simulation of spacecraft structures. He has presented his research at international conferences, including ECSSMET 2024 and ISMA 2026.

Selected Projects

Analysis and Testing of Space Structures

Structural compliance study of an axial-symmetric spacecraft with the Vega-C launcher

Experience

PhD Researcher · Siemens Digital Industries Software

Leuven, Belgium · Dec 2024 — Present

Conducted experimental tests of structures mounted on shaker tables, post-processing acquired data to extract modal parameters with Simcenter Testlab.
Performed numerical simulations of structures using Simcenter Nastran, validating results against experimental data.

Structural Dynamics Intern · CNES

Paris, France · Apr 2024 — Oct 2024

Defined testing procedures for the experimental campaign, including installation of a small-scale tank and definition of safety measures.
Performed numerical simulations to compute the sloshing and hydro-elastic modes of liquid tanks.

Master Thesis Intern · Thales Alenia Space

Turin, Italy · Mar 2023 — Sept 2023

Assessed methodologies to evaluate and compare the severity of mechanical loads (Shock Response Spectrum, Extreme Response Spectrum, Fatigue Damage Spectrum).
Developed a novel MATLAB approach for comparing the severity of multi-DoF mechanical loads, focusing on interface forces under 6-DoF loads.

Structural Engineer · Polispace

Milan, Italy · Mar 2023 — Sept 2023

Student association developing a CubeSat for ESA's "Fly Your Satellite!" program.

Simplified CAD geometries and integrated them into the FEM model.
Contributed to defining structural requirements for the Thermal Vacuum Chamber Test.

Education

PhD Candidate in Aerospace Engineering · Politecnico di Milano

Milan, Italy · Dec 2024 — Present

Research topic: "Decoupling techniques based on substructuring for fixed-base analysis."

Advanced Master in Aeronautical and Space Structures · ISAE-SUPAERO

Toulouse, France · Oct 2023 — Oct 2024

M.S. in Space Engineering · Politecnico di Milano

Milan, Italy · Sept 2021 — Oct 2023

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering · Politecnico di Milano

Milan, Italy · Sept 2018 — Sept 2021

Technical Skills

CAE Simcenter 3D, Abaqus, Femap, MSC Nastran, Patran, Ansys Mechanical, HyperMesh

CAD CATIA, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor

Programming MATLAB, Python, LaTeX

Languages

Italian Mother tongue

English Proficient user

French Basic user

Publications

Methodologies for fixed-base modal analysis derived from shaker table testing

Cavagna, F., Kosova, G., Di Lorenzo, E., Dozio, L. — International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering (ISMA), Leuven, Belgium (2026)

A critical assessment on the mechanical load severity comparison, with focus on aerospace applications

Nali, P., Cavagna, F., Dozio, L. — European Conference on Spacecraft Structures, Materials and Environmental Testing (ECSSMET), Noordwijk, Netherlands (2024)

Contact

Email: fabiocavagna0@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fabio-cavagna CV: Download PDF