USC Today

Mike Gruntman

Expert on satellites, rockets, astronautics, space science and technology, space and rocket history, missile defense and space education
  • Professor of Astronautics and Chair
Office: (213) 740-5536
Links:

Expertise

  • satellites and space vehicles
  • rocketry and rocket propulsion
  • astronautics
  • space science and space technology
  • space applications
  • space exploration
  • interstellar flight
  • space instrumentation
  • space environments
  • orbital debris
  • history of rocketry and space technology
  • missile defense
  • space education

Languages

  • Russian

Additional Information

  • Author (books): Fundamentals of Space Missions: Problems with Solutions (2022), My Fifteen Years at IKI, the Space Research Institute: Position-Sensitive Detectors and Energetic Neutral Atoms Behind the Iron Curtain (2022), Intercept 1961. The Birth of Soviet Missile Defense, AIAA, 2015; Blazing the Trail. The Early History of Spacecraft and Rocketry, AIAA, 2004, which received the International Academy of Astronautics’ Luigi Napolitano Award in 2006; From Astronautics to Cosmonautics (2007); Enemy Among Trojans. A Soviet Spy at USC (2010)
  • Academician Member, International Academy of Astronautics
  • Associate fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Member, government advisory panels at NASA and the Department of Energy
  • Co-investigator, NASA space mission “Interstellar Boundary Explorer” to study the galactic frontier of the solar system (launched 2008)
  • Co-investigator, NASA mission “TWINS” to study the magnetosphere
  • NASA Group Achievement Awards, 2000, 2001, 2011
  • Instructor, short courses on space technology for government and space industry
  • Founder, USC Astronautics Program
  • Founding Chairman of the USC Department of Astronautical Engineering
  • Director, master’s program in space engineering
  • Educational videos with more than million views on YouTube