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About

Daniel E. Hastings is a leading authority in space systems engineering, plasma physics, and the management of complex aerospace architectures. His pioneering work on spacecraft-environment interactions is exemplified by the Charging Hazards and Wake Studies (CHAWS) flight experiments, which provided critical data on high-voltage plasma wakes in low Earth orbit—a foundational contribution to spacecraft charging and safety. Hastings has also been instrumental in advancing systems engineering methodologies, notably through the application of the Department of Defense Architecture Framework to create dynamic system architecture models that manage complexity in large-scale defense and space programs. His recent research focuses on the pressing challenge of space debris, including innovative concepts for CubeSat-based deorbiting using robotic arms and comparative assessments of target capture techniques. With over 29 citations on his CHAWS work alone and a career spanning foundational plasma physics to modern debris mitigation, Hastings’ work bridges fundamental science and practical engineering. As a professor and former Dean of Engineering at MIT, he has shaped both the technical and policy dimensions of space systems, making him a pivotal figure in ensuring the sustainable use of space.