Nikolaos Gatsonis

Aerospace Engineering
Professor & Department Head
AFFILIATED DEPARTMENT OR OFFICE
Aerospace Engineering
EDUCATION
PhD Aeronautics and Astronautics Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1991
MS Aeronautics and Astronautics Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1987
MS Atmospheric Sciences University of Michigan 1986
BS Physics Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece 1983
Expert Bio

Professor Gatsonis’ research entails the development of continuum, atomistic and hybrid models, and computational methods for fluids, gases and plasmas in regimes that range from nanoscale to macroscale and low- speed to hypersonic. He applies these methods to areas of spacecraft micropropulsion, plasma devices and diagnostics, spacecraft-environment interactions, rarefied gasdynamics, complex flows under microgravity, and materials processing.

Research areas/Expertise
space flight
nanosatellites
spacecraft
Spacecraft mission analysis
Spacecraft propulsion
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
Aviation
Aerospace Engineering

Podcast Episodes

Media Coverage

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Forbes
NASA Is Planning A Nuclear-Powered Trip To Mars

Nikolaos Gatsonis, professor and head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, provided analysis for an article in Forbes about NASA’s plans for a nuclear-powered mission to Mars. He spoke about the state of nuclear electric propulsion for spacecraft and the potential advantages of and challenges associated with using this propulsion method for a Mars mission.

Boston Globe
A century ago, Robert Goddard launched the future

Professor Nikolaos Gatsonis, head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, provided insight for a Boston Globe article on the significant contributions Robert Goddard, class of 1908, made to the advancement of space exploration. Gatsonis explained how many of Goddard's discoveries are critical elements of modern rockets.

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Colleen B Wamback Associate Director, Public Relations

Colleen B Wamback
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Jon Cain
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