“I have worked with several past OAE recipients and they are engineers of the highest caliber who embody professionalism, achieve significant, lofty goals and contribute meaningful advancements to aerospace technology. I am humbled and honored to be counted among such extraordinary individuals.”
Robert joined many technical societies at Purdue, including as founder of the local chapter of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (now called Purdue Space Program). He also took co-op tours at NASA's Johnson Space Center and Goddard Spaceflight Center. Robert pursued a PhD at MIT, researching micromechanical propulsion systems to support the growing interest in micro-satellites.
He then shifted focus from micro to large systems, leading the Integrated Total Aerospace Power Systems project at United Technologies. He worked on conceptual designs ranging from uncrewed rotorcraft to scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicles. He earned three patents in aircraft thermal management for his work.
Working in aerospace applications and a love for systems engineering led him to run the requirements development for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. He followed through as the program’s verification and validation manager, where he was awarded the Silver Snoopy for developing verification strategies that ensured safe systems for the crew. This led to the first certification to NASA’s Human Rating Requirements, and marked the return of human missions to US soil for the first time since Space Shuttle. For this, he was awarded NASA’s highest honor: the Distinguished Service Medal.
Today, Robert supports the Artemis missions by transitioning new system concepts into active programs that will extend capabilities on the lunar surface. He partners with international space agencies and commercial entities.
Robert is an INCOSE-certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional, AIAA Senior Member, and member of the ASTM Committee on Commercial Spaceflight.