Kyle DeMars

Kyle DeMars is an Associate Professor and Associate Department Head for Theoretical and Computational Research in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University. He holds a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin (2010) and has expertise in space situational awareness, navigation systems, Bayesian filtering, and information theory. His work focuses on advanced estimation techniques for spacecraft autonomy and space surveillance.

Dr. DeMars' research emphasizes robust nonlinear filtering, multitarget tracking, and information-theoretic approaches to orbital dynamics. He has developed innovative methods for spacecraft navigation, including terrain-relative systems and anonymous feature processing. His contributions address challenges in uncertainty quantification, sensor fusion, and cislunar space domain awareness.

• Education: Ph.D./M.S.E./B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (UT Austin, 2004–2010)
• Awards: AIAA Young Professional Award (2017), NASA Innovation Award (2014), and multiple teaching/research recognitions
• Labs/Teams: Active in space situational awareness, guidance & control, and probabilistic navigation systems

Key trends in his publications include:

• Advances in particle flow and Gaussian mixture methods for nonlinear estimation
• Cislunar trajectory analysis and resonance-based surveillance strategies
• Development of fault-resistant and anonymous navigation frameworks
• Integration of information theory into sensor tasking and uncertainty management

His work bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in planetary landing navigation, space traffic management, and autonomous spacecraft systems.