Reported directly to the Head of Aerodynamics to develop novel prototype for Very-Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite.• Created 45 CAD models of air intake nozzles in SOLIDWORKS to compute CFD simulations, delivering 2 models with efficiencies of 5% and 6 models with efficiencies of 2% (threshold for further testing = 1%).• Leveraged upper-level MATLAB (self-taught) to create script used by supercomputer to calculate wind velocity and direction of atmosphere depending on date, time of day, and season to simulate performance of CAD models under varying conditions.• Independently learned ParaView to render results from CFD simulations in terms of airflow and collection efficiency to determine most viable design for prototype.• Composed a successful application for an academic grant that helped further future research of the propulsion prototype.