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About

Austin Howard is a leading aerospace engineer whose work has fundamentally shaped NASA’s strategy for landing large payloads on Mars. His primary research areas center on Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems, with a specific focus on the technologies required to safely deliver both robotic and human missions to the Martian surface. Howard’s most significant contribution is his leadership in the NASA Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study, commissioned by senior management in 2008. His seminal report, “Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis Study: Phase 1 Report,” has garnered 97 citations, serving as a foundational roadmap for the agency’s EDL technology investments. A companion overview paper, with 38 citations, further disseminates these critical findings to the broader aerospace community. Through this work, Howard has identified and prioritized the key technological gaps—such as supersonic retropropulsion and advanced thermal protection systems—that must be overcome to enable future large-scale Mars landings. His research directly supports NASA’s ambitious goals for human exploration of the Red Planet, making him a pivotal figure in the future of interplanetary travel.