Hi!
My name is Brandon Kelpis and thank you for visiting my website! This website entails my experiences researching dark matter at the Carnegie Institute of Science and working on sounding rocket programs with NASA Wallops.
Cheers!
- Brandon
Dark Matter Annihilation in M31
Carnegie Institute of Science
Mentor: M. Sten Delos
Excess gamma-ray radiation has recently been reported in M31 and has been suggested as coming from dark matter annihilation. However, recent work has shown that dark matter annihilation should be dominated by prompt cusps.
What exactly are prompt cusps? In the early universe, prompt cusps formed at every initial density field maximum. They are expected to possess an extremely dense nature, which also suggests a high annihilation rate. They are also expected to occur in large numbers. Due to these characteristics, we suspect that they are responsible for the M31 gamma-ray excess.
We took a model previously used to analyze annihilation from prompt cusps in the Milky Way halo and then adapted it for M31 based on observed properties.
After the adaptation, we can then compare the prediction signal to the measure intensities.
The predicted signal is too weak to account for the gamma-ray excess and is most likely coming from another source.
American Astronomical Society
I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to present my research at AAS!
AAS
Year
01/03/2026
NASA Wallops HASP & RockSatX 2024/2025
2024 HASP
In 2024, I contributed to a HAAS solar imaging project focused on scanning and imaging the Sun to analyze surface features such as sunspots and potential solar flare activity. The experiment aimed to capture high-resolution solar imagery for post-processing and observational analysis, supporting a broader effort to study solar behavior through direct measurement.
Although I joined the project later in the development cycle, I was able to make meaningful technical contributions. I designed and modeled the upright bearing caps used in the system’s mechanical assembly, ensuring proper alignment, structural stability, and compatibility with existing components. This work required rapid integration into an established design and close coordination with the team to meet fabrication and performance constraints.
2025 RockSatX
In 2025, I participated in the NASA RockSat-X program, working on a payload designed to evaluate structural damage incurred during rocket ascent. The primary objective of the project was to use LiDAR technology to scan and analyze the payload’s structure in flight, enabling post-launch assessment of mechanical stress and potential deformation.
In addition to the LiDAR system, the mission included the launch of a self-stabilizing gyroscopic capsule intended to maintain orientation during flight and descent. I served as an Electrical Sub-Lead, contributing to system-level electrical design, integration, and testing. This role involved coordinating electrical subsystems, supporting sensor and power integration, and ensuring reliable operation under the environmental constraints of launch.
2026 RockSatX
In 2026, I served as President of the RockSat-X student research team, leading a payload focused on advancing in-flight LiDAR scanning for damage detection during rocket ascent. Building on prior years’ work, our LiDAR system was mounted within a pressurized section of the payload and used to scan deliberately placed calibration objects, enabling precise assessment of structural integrity and deformation throughout the flight.
The payload also incorporated a distributed temperature sensing suite designed to record thermal data across multiple stages of ascent and descent. I served as Research Lead, where I developed original analytical methods to model expected thermal and pressure variations across the full flight profile. These calculations directly informed system design and data interpretation under extreme environmental conditions.
During a NASA design review, my technical presentation of the thermal and pressure modeling received exceptionally strong feedback from NASA engineers, who noted that the work exceeded expectations for an undergraduate-led research team.
Project imagery is not yet available, as the payload is currently in the manufacturing phase.