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  • Robert Braun
  • Associate Professor
  • David and Andrew Lewis Associate Professor in Space Technology

Contact Information

  • Phone: 404.385.6171
  • Fax: 404.894.2760
  • Office: Knight 321-3

Degrees

  • B.S., Aerospace Engineering, 1987, Pennsylvania State University
  • M.S., Astronautics, 1989, George Washington University
  • Ph.D., Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1996, Stanford University

Biography

Dr. Braun leads an active research program focused on the design of advanced flight systems and technologies for planetary exploration. Recent research projects include Mars landers designed as precursors for human exploration, robotic concepts capable of powered flight in planetary atmospheres, entry system architectural concepts for human return from the Moon, integrated design and aeroelasticity analyses for inflatable ballute entry systems and engineering mitigation strategies for planetary defense. He is responsible for undergraduate and graduate level instruction in the areas of space systems design, astrodynamics and planetary entry. Prior to coming to Georgia Tech, Dr. Braun worked at NASA for fifteen years where he contributed to the design, development, test, and operation of several robotic space flight systems. He was a member of the Mars Pathfinder design team from 1992 to 1997, participating in landing operations for this mission. He has also contributed to the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Microprobe, Mars Sample Return and Mars Odyssey flight projects. From 2001-2003, Dr. Braun managed the development of the ARES Mars Scout mission, a proposed scientific survey utilizing a Mars airplane. He is an AIAA Associate Fellow and the principle author or co-author of over 100 technical publications in the fields of planetary exploration, atmospheric entry, multidisciplinary design optimization, and systems engineering. Dr. Braun presently serves on the NASA Planetary Protection Advisory Council, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Advisory Council, and AIAA Multidisciplinary Optimization and Space Systems Technical Committees.

Selected Publications

  • Braun, R.D.; and Manning, R.M.; “Mars Entry, Descent and Landing Challenges,” IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky Montana, March 2006.
  • Braun, R.D.; Wright, H.S.; Croom, M.A.; Levine, J.S.; and Spencer, D.A.; “Design of the ARES Mars Airplane and Mission Architecture, Accepted for publication in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2006.
  • Putnam, Z.R.; Braun, R.D.; Rohrschneider, R.R.; and Dec, J.A; “Entry System Options for Human Lunar Return,” Accepted for publication in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2006.
  • Mitcheltree, R.A.; Braun, R.D.; Hughes, S.J.; and Simonsen, L.C.; “Earth Entry Vehicle for Mars Sample Return,” IAF 00-Q.3.04, 51st International Astronautical Congress, Oct. 2-6, 2000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • Braun, R.D.; Spencer, D.A., Kallemeyn, P.H., Vaughan, R.M.: "Mars Pathfinder Atmospheric Entry Navigation Operations," Journal of Spacecraft & Rockets, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 348-356, May-June, 1999.

Honors and Distinctions

  • Associate Fellow of the AIAA
  • AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award, 1999
  • NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals (2 times)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award (7 times).

Research Interests

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