Name: Brandon Stiltner

Hometown:
Grundy, VA

Currently Lives in:
Huntsville, AL

Education:

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech 2007
• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech 2011

Employer:
Qualis Corporation

Job Description:
GNC Engineer working on SLS and Cubesats at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
Astronaut, paleontologist, fighter pilot, and professional snowboarder (among others). My answer depended on the day you asked me.

How far can YOU see? Where do you see the aerospace industry 10–20 years from now?
In astronautics, I see the first manned trip to Mars, possibly including an expedition to the Martian surface. I see deep space habitats that simulate gravity using centrifugal force. I see a renewed interest in exploring the moon, with more human expeditions to the lunar surface, and a multi-national lunar surface outpost. In aeronautics, I see exponential growth of UAVs in American and global airspace. Swarms of UAVs farming, fighting forest fires, delivering mail/packages, remote search and rescue, traffic monitoring, and so much more. And new battery technologies will enable “nano” UAVs to move beyond the R&D lab.

One insightful fact you want everyone to know:
Failure IS an option during engineering design and test phases. Each failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Professional Interests:
Orbital mechanics, control engineering, Cubesats, structural dynamics, and solar sails.

Hobbies:
RC aircraft and rocketry, playing guitar, snowboarding, fishing, learning, and tinkering.