Georgia Tech has a proud history in space exploration. Ten astronauts have earned degrees from Georgia Tech, another three graduates have been selected as candidates for future missions and another astronaut is a former Tech faculty member. They have been among the best, each advancing the conquest of space.

Below is a list of Georgia Tech faculty who can provide expertise on the Mars Exploration Rover Missions. For other topics, please call Institute Communications and Public Affairs for assistance at 404-894-4233 or 404-894-0870.

Robert Braun
Associate Professor, David and Andrew Lewis Professor of Space Technology
School of Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-385-6171
E-mail: robert.braun@ae.gatech.edu
Expertise: Sixteen years at NASA Langley working on Mars missions, including Spirit Rover, Opportunity Rover, Pathfinder, Sojourner Rover, ARES Mars Scout Mission, Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle. Expert on Mars atmospheric flight, robotic/human mars exploration architectures, atmospheric flight dynamics, space transportation, planetary exploration, spacecraft design and systems engineering.

John Olds
Professor, School of Aerospace Engineering
Director of the Space Systems Design Laboratory
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-894-6289
E-mail: john.olds@aerospace.gatech.edu
Expertise: Spacecraft design, space shuttles and public confidence in the space program.

Judy Curry
Professor and Chair, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-894-3955
E-mail: curryja@eas.gatech.edu
Expertise: Potential use of robots in space, especially in ways that make research safer for humans

Robert Loewy
Chair, School of Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-894-3002
E-mail: robert.loewy@ae.gatech.edu
Expertise: Bush space plan, small aircraft, and recovery of wrecked aircraft

James Sowell
Astronomer, School of Physics
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-385-1294
E-mail: james.sowell@physics.gatech.edu
Expertise: Mars, planetary systems

Eric Johnson
Professor, School of Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-385-2519
E-mail: eric.johnson@ae.gatech.edu
Expertise: Avionics, entry guidance systems, and navigation and control

Jim St. John
Research Scientist
School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phone: 404-894-1754
E-mail: jim.stjohn@eas.gatech.edu
Web site: http://stjohn.eas.gatech.edu/
Expertise: Atmosphere of Mars and Earth

Georgia Tech Professor Eyes Space Settlement
Large, massive structures could be built in space simply by using radio waves that create force fields to move materials and assemble them into various structures. Once bonded in place, the structures could lay the groundwork for human settlement in space and a space-based economy, according to Narayanan Komerath, an aerospace engineer at Georgia Tech.
More information: http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=64

Georgia Tech Named Member of NASA's National Institute of Aerospace
Georgia Tech faculty members are contributing to the research and training efforts of NASA's new National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), which supports the mission of NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. Tech is one of six universities teaming up with NASA in research, education, technology transfer and outreach efforts to all of Langley's core competencies, including aerodynamics, thermodynamics and aero-acoustics.
More information: http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=43

The Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Laboratory
Georgia Tech is home to the Space Systems Design Laboratory (SSDL). The laboratory was founded at Georgia Tech's School of Aerospace Engineering in 1995 with the goal of creating a world-class effort in research and education dedicated to the design of advanced space systems. The lab is directed by John Olds, associate professor of aerospace engineering, and consists of several undergraduates, Master's-level graduate students, and Ph.D.-level graduate students with an interest in advanced space systems. Research in the lab centers on identification and assessment of new technologies that have the potential to lower the cost of space launch and exploration, for both human and robotic explorers.
More information: http://www.ssdl.gatech.edu/

Georgia Tech's Graduates are Among NASA's Top Astronauts
More information: http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/centennial_flight/