Jay McMahon

Jay McMahon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he also serves as a Smead Faculty Fellow and leads the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research (CCAR). He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Science from CU Boulder (2011), an MS in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California (2006), and a BS in Aerospace Engineering (cum laude) from the University of Michigan (2004).

His research focuses on:

• Advanced astrodynamics and spacecraft guidance systems
• Autonomous navigation for asteroid/comet exploration
• Binary asteroid dynamics and solar system evolution
• Trajectory optimization under uncertainty
• Aerocapture and atmospheric entry technologies

His recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on stochastic mission design, asteroid dynamics, and autonomous guidance systems, with applications in planetary defense and deep-space exploration.

Awards & Fellowships:

• DARPA YFA Fellow (2020-2021)
• NASA Early Career Faculty Fellow (2018-2021)
• NIAC Fellow (2017-2020)
• AIAA Associate Fellow (2017)
• Named asteroid (46829) McMahon for asteroid dynamics research

He leads the ORCCA (Orbital and Celestial Challenges in Astrodynamics) research group and has received multiple teaching awards including the Outstanding Faculty Graduate Advisor Award (2021).