Glenn Lightsey

Glenn Lightsey, the John W. Young Chair Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology's Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, specializes in small satellite technology, space exploration, propulsion systems, and Earth monitoring. As former director of the Space Systems Design Laboratory (2016-2023) and Georgia Tech’s Center for Space Technology and Research (2019-2023), he has led groundbreaking projects like the BioSentinel propulsion system for NASA’s Artemis I mission.

• Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
• B.S.E. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University

His research spans guidance, navigation, and control systems for spacecraft, with a focus on lunar exploration and sustainable space missions. He has authored over 200 technical articles and patents, and serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Satellites.

Key projects include:

• Green Propellant Dual Mode (NASA, 2023)
• Low-Gravity Water Electrolysis (ESA, 2023)
• Lunar Dust Mitigation (NASA, 2023)
• SWARM-EX Space Weather Experiment (NSF, 2020)

Scientific honors include:

• AIAA Fellow (2016)
• Mechanics and Control of Flight Award (2019)
• Tycho Brahe Award (2005)
• Halliburton Young Faculty Excellence Award (2000)

As a visionary in space systems, Lightsey advocates for sustainable lunar habitation and interplanetary exploration, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and systems engineering principles.