Selina Machnitzky

Cranfield University • PhD Student

Selina Machnitzky is a PhD student at Cranfield University’s Space Centre, where her co-funded research by ESA is conducted in collaboration with the ESA Near Earth Object Coordination Centre. Her work focuses on discovery gaps in Near Earth Asteroid populations, examining why certain objects remain undetected and how survey limitations, orbital properties, and follow up constraints affect planetary defense capabilities. Selina completed an internship at ESA’s Planetary Defense Office, where she studied observational constraints, orbit uncertainty, classification behaviour, and population model discrepancies in Near Earth Object data. She also gained research and development experience at AUMA Riester, applying data analysis and software tool building to complex engineering measurement systems. Selina holds an MSc in Physics from the University of Freiburg and received the Alumni Award from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics for outstanding academic achievement and thesis work. Her current work includes the development of a metric designed to systematically characterize under detected NEA populations and identify regions where targeted observational strategies could improve detection efficiency. Through this research, she seeks to strengthen the link between scientific analysis and practical space safety applications. Her wider interests include astrodynamics, scientific computing, and international coordination for planetary defense and space safety.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2026

5 - 9 October 2026

Antalya, Türkiye

Participation: