D. E. Harris

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

D. E. Harris is a visionary in space transportation and propulsion, whose work has shaped long-term strategies for human and robotic exploration. His key research areas include future space transportation architectures, in-space propulsion technologies, and the integration of fabrication and repair systems for deep-space missions. Harris made major contributions through his leadership on the NASA Exploration Team’s Transportation Working Group, where he helped conceptualize and advocate for the technologies needed to enable ambitious exploration goals. His 2003 paper, “Future Space Transportation Technology: Prospects and Priorities,” earned 3 citations and laid foundational thinking for NASA’s exploration roadmap. In 2005, he co-authored “A Strategic Roadmap to Centauri,” a forward-looking piece that connected in-space propulsion with in-space fabrication, drawing on insights from NASA’s In-Space Propulsion Technology Project. Though his citation counts are modest, Harris’s influence is felt in the strategic planning that underpins next-generation spaceflight. His work bridges the gap between near-term engineering challenges and the visionary goal of interstellar travel, making him a key thinker in the evolution of space transportation systems.