Daniel Matz
Papers
2
Total Citations
20
H-Index
2
About
Daniel Matz is a researcher whose work focuses on the critical challenges of planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) for human Mars missions. His primary contributions lie in the design and simulation of guidance, navigation, and control systems for high-mass vehicles entering the Martian atmosphere. Matz is best known for his work on the Mid-Lift-to-Drag Ratio Rigid Vehicle (MRV), a proposed NASA concept for delivering 20-metric-ton payloads to the Martian surface. His 2018 paper on this topic, which has garnered 16 citations, details the control system design for this ambitious vehicle. Additionally, Matz has advanced the field of aerocapture—a technique for using atmospheric drag to slow a spacecraft—by developing the Fully Numerical Predictor-corrector Aerocapture Guidance (FNPAG). This model-based algorithm is notable for its adaptability across different hypersonic vehicles, requiring minimal tuning. Through these contributions, Matz is helping to lay the groundwork for the complex EDL maneuvers that will be essential for future human exploration of the Red Planet.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2