Robert D. Braun
Dr. Robert D. Braun was named by NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. as the agency's Chief Technologist on February 3, 2010. As the NASA Chief Technologist, Dr. Braun serves as the Administrator’s principal advisor and advocate on matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs. He will help develop a broadly focused advanced concepts and technology development program leading to new approaches to future NASA missions and solutions to significant national needs.[1]
Education
B.S., Aerospace Engineering, 1987, Pennsylvania State University
M.S., Astronautics, 1989, George Washington University
Ph.D., Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1996, Stanford University
Research
Design and analysis of advanced flight systems and technologies for planetary exploration, with an emphasis on the following:
- Entry, descent and landing technology
- Planetary atmospheric flight
- Robotic and human Mars exploration
- Space systems engineering
- Multidisciplinary design optimization
Honors and Distinctions
- Fellow of the AIAA
- AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award, 1999
- NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals (2 times)
- NASA Group Achievement Award (7 times)
- Hesburgh Award Teaching Fellow, 2009
- NASA Inventions and Contributions Team Award (2 times)
- National Air and Space Museum Trophy, 1998, presented to the Mars Pathfinder team
Selected Publications
- Braun, R.D.; and Manning, R.M.; “Mars Entry, Descent and Landing Challenges,” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 310-323, Mar-Apr, 2007.
- Christian, J.A.; Manyapu, K.; Wells, G.W.; Lafleur, J.M.; Verges, A.M.; and Braun, R.D.; "Sizing of an Entry, Descent, and Landing System for Human Mars Exploration," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp.130-141, Jan-Feb, 2008.
- Clark, I.M.; Hutchings, A.L.; Tanner, C.L.; and Braun, R.D.: “Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators for Use on Future Robotic Missions to Mars.” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 340-352, Mar-Apr, 2009.
- Korzun, A.M.; Braun, R.D.; and Cruz, J.R.; “A Survey of Supersonic Retropropulsion Technology for Mars Entry, Descent and Landing,” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 46, No. 5, pp. 929-937, Sept-Oct, 2009.
- Theisinger, J.E.; and Braun, R.D.; “Multi-Objective Hypersonic Entry Aeroshell Shape Optimization,” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 46, No. 5, pp. 957-966, Sept-Oct, 2009.
For a full list of publications: http://soliton.ae.gatech.edu/people/rbraun/publications.pdf
Public Remarks
- Strengthening NASA's Technology Programs, testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Science and Technology, October 2009.
- Future Concepts for Landing Large Payloads on Mars, Radio interview on The Space Show, October 2009.
- Next Step Mars?, interview and research results published in Astronomy magazine, August 2009.
- Growing Space Systems Engineers: The Key to Realizing NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration, ASK magazine, NASA Academy of Program and Project Leadership, December 2006.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from Morrie Goodman. NASA Administrator Names Braun NASA Chief Technologist. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.