Kevin Gifford

Kevin Gifford is a Research Professor and Faculty Director of the Computer Science Coursera MS Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Previously, he served as a faculty member in the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences for 20 years. His research focuses on wireless engineering and space communications. Notable contributions include pioneering the use of Linux on NASA's Space Shuttle (1996) and the International Space Station (2000), leading NASA's Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) team, and establishing the first Interplanetary Internet nodes on the ISS. He chairs the Wireless Working Group of the ISO-affiliated Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems (CCSDS).

His work has enabled Internet-based communications in space and shaped NASA's DTN deployment strategy. He remains active in advancing space communication protocols and standards.