Meet the team
From theory to thrusters: meet the brilliant minds powering our propulsion systems
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The Space Propulsion Laboratory is driven by a diverse team of experts passionate about the future of aerospace. From tenured professors with decades of experience to bright young researchers, our strength lies in our collaboration. Whether investigating theoretical propulsion physics or testing hardware in the lab, our members are dedicated to advancing aerospace technology while fostering the next generation of engineers.
Professors
Professors
Fabrizio Paganucci
fabrizio.paganucci@unipi.it
Fabrizio Paganucci is Associate Professor of Aerospace Propulsion at the University of Pisa. His research focuses on electric propulsion systems, including Hall thrusters, magneto-plasma dynamic (MPD) thrusters, hollow cathodes, and iodine-fed propulsion. He has led multiple ESA and EU-funded projects on high-power electric propulsion and advanced plasma technologies. Previously, he was Vice President of Alta SpA, overseeing R&D in industrial plasma applications. He holds a Laurea in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Pisa and is an AIAA Senior Member.
Angelo Pasini
angelo.pasini@unipi.it
Angelo Pasini is Associate Professor of Aerospace Propulsion at the University of Pisa, where he has been teaching and conducting research since 2016. With extensive industrial experience from his work at ALTA and SITAEL, he has led multiple EU and ESA-funded projects on advanced propulsion technologies. His research focuses monopropellant and bipropellant thrusters using green propellants, as well as on cavitating and non-cavitating turbopumps. He has collaborated with international institutions, including MIT and Osaka University, contributing to cutting-edge developments in space propulsion. His work aims to advance sustainable chemical and nuclear propulsion systems for future space exploration.
Research Fellows & Postdoc Researchers
Research Fellows & Postdoc Researchers
Giulia Becatti
giulia.becatti@ing.unipi.it
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Hollow cathodes for electric propulsion and alternative electric propulsion concepts
Interests: Hollow cathodes, Plasma diagnostics, Plasma instabilities, Nuclear propulsion, Magnetic reconnection
Guido Giammarinaro
guido.giammarinaro@phd.unipi.it
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Design of innovative hall thruster concepts and additive manufacturing techniques
Interests: Hall thrusters, Additive manufacturing, Multiphysics simulation
Elia Puccinelli
elia.puccinelli@phd.unipi.it
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Area: Bimodal Nuclear Propulsion
Key Focus: Green Propulsion for Small Satellites, Nuclear Bimodal Propulsion for Exploratory Missions
Interests: RTG, Self-Pressurization, Hybrid Rockets
Manuel Martin Saravia
manuel.saravia@ing.unipi.it
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Applied research in electric propulsion, focusing on Hall thrusters, alternative propellants, plasma diagnostics, and multiphysics numerical modeling.
Interests: Hall thrusters, iodine propellants, plasma diagnostics, Bayesian data analysis, EP test facilities
PhD Candidates
PhD Candidates
Carla Guidi
carla.guidi@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 3rd year
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Iodine-fed hollow cathodes for electric propulsion.
Interests: Hollow cathodes, plasma instabilities, alternative propellants
Iacopo Regoli
iacopo.regoli@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 3rd year
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Study and optimization of cold hydrogen plasma sources for fusion and electric propulsion using experiments and numerical modeling.
Interests: RF plasma, Hollow cathodes, plasma diagnostics, plasma modeling
Fabio Faraoni
fabio.faraoni@phd.unipi.it
Position: Phd Student - 2nd year
Research Area: Chemical propulsion
Key Focus: Design and experimental characterization of a 200N-class bipropellant thruster using 98% High-Test Peroxide and Gaseous Hydrogen.
Interests: HTP Catalysis, Injectors Design, Ignition Methods, Combustion, Heat Transfer, Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE) for In-Space Propulsion.
Matteo Serchi Masini
matteo.serchimasini@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 2nd year
Research Area: Chemical propulsion
Key Focus: Design of miniaturized, low-cost propulsion systems for CubeSats using HTP.
Interests: SmallSat Green Multimode Propulsion, VaPak, Fuel Vapour Pressurization, Additive Manufacturing, High-Test Peroxide Staged Combustion applied to Micro-propulsion.
Aldo Micciani
aldo.micciani@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 2nd year
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Development of AF-MPD thruster prototype and investigation of innovative emitter materials for hollow cathodes.
Interests: Hollow cathodes, Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, Numerical analysis
Nicola Orsini
nicola.orsini@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 2nd year
Research Area: Electric Propulsion
Key Focus: Development of an innovative plasma thruster prototype driven by 3D magnetic reconnection for deep space missions.
Interests: Magnetic Reconnection, Plasma Diagnostics, Experimental Validation, Bayesian Analysis
Stefano Giuntini
stefano.giuntini@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 1st year
Research Area: Nuclear Propulsion
Key Focus: Development of a bimodal nuclear propulsion system using ammonia for the BANTER project.
Interests: Nuclear thermal & electric propulsion, Thermal Hydraulics, Supercritical Flows, Hybrid transfers, Deep-space missions, Ammonia
Alberto Tacchi
alberto.tacchi@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 1st year.
Research Area: Nuclear Space Power Systems & Turbomachinery.
Key Focus: Development of the power-generation cycle and preliminary turbomachinery design for the ammonia-based BANTER system.
Interests: Bimodal Propulsion, Power Generation Cycles, Thermal Hydraulics, Turbomachinery, Systems Engineering, Ammonia, Reliability, Monte-Carlo Simulations, Trajectory Analyses.
Stefano Mannucci
stefano.mannucci@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 1st year
Research Area: Bimodal Nuclear Propulsion
Key Focus: Multiphysics modelling (neutronic, thermal-hydraulic, thermochemical) of the nuclear reactor core for the BANTER project.
Interests: Reactor Design, Space Nuclear Power, Multiphysics Simulation, Neutronics
Natasha Palazzi
natasha.palazzi@phd.unipi.it
Position: PhD Student - 1st year
Research Area: Catalysis for Space Propulsion
Key Focus: Development of catalytic beds for ammonia decomposition within the BANTER nuclear propulsion system.
Interests: Inorganic Catalysts, Ammonia Decomposition, Radiolysis, Materials Science
Research Fellows
Research Fellows
Giovanni Belli
g.belli11@studenti.unipi.it
Position: Research Fellow
Key Focus: HTP propulsion system for CubeSats
Antonio Pio Martignani
antonio.martignani@ing.unipi.it
Position: Research Fellow
Key Focus: Electric Propulsion
Technical Staff
Technical Staff
Risela Dupi
risela.dupi@unipi.it
Position: Administrative Assistant
Key Focus: Support Administrative Activities of SPL
Paolo Fisicaro
paolo.fisicaro@ing.unipi.it
Position: Technical Assistant
Key Focus: Data acquisition, Remote Operations, Power supply and Technical Support
Alumni
Alumni
Francesco Marconcini
Francesco Marconcini completed his PhD at the University of Pisa in the Smart Industry program. During his doctoral research, he focused on the application of additive manufacturing techniques to the design of high-power Hall thrusters, including scaling methodologies, multiphysics modeling, and experimental validation.
Samuele Cecchini
Samuele Cecchini was a research fellow at the University of Pisa working on BART project.
Alberto Sarritzu
Alberto Sarritzu did his PhD at the University of Pisa and spent a year managing and working on the Green SWaP project. During his PhD he worked on the project ASCenSIon obtained through a Marie Curie Fellowship. His research focused on green chemical propulsion systems.
Lily Blondel-Canepari
Lily Blondel-Canepari did his PhD at the University of Pisa and spent a year managing and working on the Green SWaP project. During his PhD he worked on the project ASCenSIon obtained through a Marie Curie Fellowship. Her research focused on green chemical propulsion systems.
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