Joseph Welch
Papers
1
Total Citations
15
H-Index
1
About
Joseph Welch is a leading figure in the development of supersonic deceleration technologies for planetary entry, with a primary focus on enabling robotic missions to Mars. His most influential work centers on the Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD-R), a novel device designed to dramatically increase the drag area of entry vehicles at supersonic speeds. In his seminal 2013 paper, which has garnered 15 citations, Welch introduced the critical nomenclature and analytical framework for quantifying the SIAD-R’s performance, specifically defining key parameters such as the projected area of the vehicle before and after SIAD deployment, the drag coefficients for both configurations, and the crucial ∆(CdA) metric—the change in drag area that determines deceleration capability. This contribution provided the foundational engineering language and performance benchmarks for an entire class of inflatable decelerators, directly addressing the challenge of landing larger payloads on Mars. Welch’s work has been instrumental in advancing NASA’s entry, descent, and landing technologies, offering a scalable solution that bypasses the limitations of rigid aeroshells. His research continues to shape the design of future robotic missions, where precise, high-drag deceleration is essential for safe surface delivery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1