George Sharpe
Papers
1
Total Citations
15
H-Index
1
About
George Sharpe is a leading aerospace engineer whose work focuses on supersonic deceleration technologies for planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems. His primary research areas include inflatable aerodynamic decelerators (IADs), high-speed atmospheric flight dynamics, and robotic Mars mission architectures. Sharpe’s most notable contribution is his pioneering work on the Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator for Robotic missions (SIAD-R), detailed in his highly cited 2013 paper. In this work, he developed a rigorous analytical framework for quantifying the drag-enhancing performance of deployable decelerators, introducing key parameters such as the projected area ratio and drag coefficient differential (∆(CdA)) between the vehicle’s pre- and post-deployment states. This contribution provided a foundational methodology for designing and validating IADs capable of enabling heavier payloads and higher-altitude landings on Mars. With 15 citations, the paper has become a reference point for subsequent NASA and international EDL studies. Sharpe’s work has directly influenced the development of next-generation Mars landers, and his analytical models continue to guide engineers seeking to push the boundaries of robotic exploration in the solar system.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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