Jason Ginn

About

Jason Ginn is a key figure in aerospace engineering, specializing in supersonic flight dynamics and planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) technologies. His most notable contribution is his work on NASA’s Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project, where he led the post-flight reconstruction of the first Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test (SFDT-1) in 2014. This landmark test, conducted off Kauai, Hawaii, pushed a test vehicle to speeds exceeding Mach 4 and altitudes over 200,000 feet, validating critical decelerator technologies for future Mars missions. Ginn’s detailed analysis of flight data—captured in his highly cited 2015 paper—provided essential insights into aerodynamic performance and vehicle stability under extreme conditions. Though his published work has garnered a modest 3 citations, its impact is deeply felt within NASA’s EDL community, where it serves as a foundational reference for designing next-generation supersonic parachutes and inflatable decelerators. Ginn’s expertise bridges theoretical modeling and real-world flight testing, making him a vital contributor to advancing human and robotic exploration of low-density atmospheres.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   LDSD supersonic Flight Dynamics Test 1: Post-flight reconstruction

   3 citations · 2015

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links