Bernd Chudoba

Dr. Bernd Chudoba is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He holds a PhD in Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University and has extensive industry experience with companies like Airbus and Boeing. His research focuses on advanced aerospace systems, including hypersonic vehicles, space launch architectures, and conceptual design methodologies. He leads the Aerospace Vehicle Design (AVD) Laboratory, developing decision support systems for future aerospace projects.

Education:

• PhD in Aerospace Studies, Cranfield University, 2001
• MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design, Cranfield University, 1995
• Dipl.-Ing. (Magna Cum Laude), Aeronautical Engineering, FH Aachen, 1994

Research Interests:

• Multi-disciplinary design synthesis for subsonic to hypersonic vehicles
• Strategic forecasting of space exploration and defense systems
• Knowledge-based systems for conceptual design
• Hypersonic commercial transport feasibility
• Reusable space launch systems

Notable Projects:

• Principal Investigator for NASA's Hypersonic Commercial Transportation Feasibility Study (2019–2021)
• Co-PI for AFRL's REACH Program on hypersonic vehicle maturation (2016)
• Consultant for SpaceX Starship lunar mission analysis (2022)

Awards:

• AIAA North Texas Section Special Recognition Award (2018)
• UTA Most Valuable Faculty Award (2013)
• Excellent Reviewer for AIAA Journal (2009)

Advising:

• Guided over 12 doctoral students in aerospace systems design
• Directed NASA-funded research teams on hypersonic demonstrators and lunar missions

Labs/Teams:

• Director of UTA's AVD Laboratory
• Member of AIAA High-Speed Flight Task Force (2023–present)
• NATO Technical Team for Hypersonic Gliding Vehicles (2022–present)