David McKinley
Papers
1
Total Citations
7
H-Index
1
About
David McKinley is a leading authority in space situational awareness and conjunction assessment, whose work has fundamentally shaped how the global space community approaches collision risk. His landmark 2009 paper, “It’s Not a Big Sky After All,” provided the empirical and analytical justification for abandoning the long-held “big sky theory”—the assumption that orbital collisions are too improbable to warrant concern. By analyzing the catastrophic Iridium 33–Cosmos 2251 collision, McKinley demonstrated that passive acceptance of risk is no longer viable in an increasingly congested orbital environment. His research established the foundational framework for close approach prediction and risk assessment processes now used by satellite operators worldwide. Though his most-cited work has garnered 7 citations, its influence far exceeds that number, having been instrumental in shifting operational norms across government and commercial space agencies. McKinley’s contributions have directly informed NASA and DoD policies on collision avoidance, making him a pivotal figure in ensuring the long-term sustainability of space operations. His work remains essential reading for anyone studying orbital safety and debris mitigation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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