Keith Novak

California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Keith Novak is a leading aerospace thermal engineer whose work has been critical to the success of NASA’s most ambitious Mars missions. His research centers on the design, testing, and in-flight performance of thermal control systems for interplanetary spacecraft, ensuring that delicate instruments and electronics survive the extreme temperatures of deep space and the Martian surface. Novak made foundational contributions to the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) program, where he oversaw the comprehensive thermal test program that validated the rovers’ ability to withstand the harsh Martian environment. His work on the MER thermal test program (4 citations) provided the engineering confidence needed for the rovers’ historic landing and extended surface operations. He later advanced this expertise for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, authoring a key paper on the cruise phase thermal control systems (4 citations) that documented the innovative passive and active thermal designs used during the spacecraft’s eight-month journey to Mars. Though his publication record is concise, Novak’s impact is profound: his thermal engineering directly enabled two of the most celebrated robotic missions in planetary exploration, demonstrating how rigorous thermal analysis and testing are the unsung heroes of spaceflight success.