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About

Walter C. Engelund is a leading aerospace engineer whose career has been defined by pioneering advances in planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems. His primary research focuses on the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic challenges of Mars exploration, particularly the technologies required to land increasingly large payloads—from robotic sample-return missions to future human-scale spacecraft. Engelund’s most influential contribution is his leadership of the NASA Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study, a comprehensive agency-wide roadmap commissioned by senior management in 2008. His seminal 2011 report (27 citations) identified and prioritized the critical EDL technology investments needed to enable precise, heavy landings on Mars, directly shaping NASA’s strategic direction for both robotic and human exploration. This work has become a foundational reference for mission planners and engineers. Engelund has also advanced the concept of a Mars-orbiting 2-micron LIDAR system, designed to measure atmospheric density, winds, and dust—key data for achieving the pinpoint landing accuracy required by missions like Mars Sample Return. His research bridges fundamental aerosciences with practical mission engineering, ensuring that the next generation of Mars landers can safely and precisely reach their targets.