Ted Ro

Division: Flight Design and Dynamics Division

I work primarily on designing and developing an autonomous aerocapture guidance algorithm for future Mars robotic missions as well as a pathfinder for a human Mars mission. My specific duties include mathematical formulations of guidance control laws and correlated adjunct variables, trajectory optimization development and analysis, trajectory analysis as well as guidance tuning. Other duties include supporting the development of operational requirements for beyond-Low Earth Orbit (LEO) human exploration missions as well as supporting various entry trajectory studies.

I am fascinated by flight and space travel. As a teenager, I found myself searching for the answers to questions such as: "How does an airplane fly?" and "How did we go to the moon?" So, naturally, when it was time to select a major in college, I chose aerospace engineering. And when it was time to start my co-op tour, I selected NASA. I will have worked for NASA for 15 years this December.

I received a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University, a masters of industrial engineering from the University of Houston, and a doctorate of jurisprudence from the University of Houston.

I have made presentations at elementary schools and currently serve on a panel chaired by the Deputy Director of Stennis Space Center which focuses on how to actively engage the public with human spaceflight.

Last Updated: 06/20/01