Dr. Robert D. Braun is head of the Space Exploration Sector at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory with responsibilities that span all civil and national security space activities at the Lab. He is a recognized authority in hypersonics technology and the development of entry, descent and landing systems and has contributed to the formulation, development, test, and operation of multiple spaceflight missions.
Dr. Braun previously served in executive positions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of Colorado Boulder, and NASA, and has served as a tenured professor at Georgia Tech, CU Boulder, Caltech and Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Braun earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in astronautics from George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a fellow of the American Astronomical Society, and the author or coauthor of more than 300 technical publications. Among many recognitions, he has been a member of three teams that were awarded the Collier Trophy.