Andrew Ketsdever, Ph.D.

Andrew Ketsdever portrait

Andrew Ketsdever, Ph.D.

Lecturer

Biographical Information

Dr. Andrew Ketsdever is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Oregon State University - Cascades. He joined the UCCS Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering in 2006, where he served as chair and tenured faculty member until 2018. He has worked in the areas of advanced propulsion design and testing, rarefied gas dynamics, microfluidics, micropropulsion and spacecraft-thruster interactions since 1992. He holds patents and has patents pending in the areas of micropropulsion, advanced propulsion concepts, and non-ignition of propellants. He has authored or co-authored more than 90 technical papers and is the recipient of numerous research grants. Dr. Ketsdever is Director of the Center for Laser, Energy and Exploration Research (CLEER), which includes the Sustainable Energy Collection and Transport Laboratory. In addition he is Level III Certified in Systems Planning by the Defense Acquisition University, which includes Systems Engineering and Acquisitions.

Areas of Interest

  • Exploration and Space Technologies
  • Atmospheric and Orbital Space Simulation
  • Sustainable Energy Collection and Transport
  • Systems Engineering
  • Micropropulsion

Education

  • Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering,
    University of Southern California
  • M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics emphasis
    University of Southern California
  • B.S., Aerospace Engineering,
    University of Southern California

Teaching

  • Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCCS (08/2014-12/2018)
  • Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCCS (08/2011-07/2014)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCCS (01/2008-07/2011)
  • Distinguished Visiting Professor, Department of Astronautics, US Air Force Academy (08/2004-06/2007)
  • Lecturer, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCCS (01/2006-06/2007)
  • Research Associate Professor, Astronautics and Space Technologies Division, University of Southern California (06/2006-09/2007)

Courses Taught

  • Rocket Propulsion
  • Propulsion
  • Thermodynamics I
  • Hypersonics and Gas Dynamics
  • Space Environment
  • Space Mission Analysis
  • Launch Vehicle Analysis 
  • Fundamentals of Astrodynamics 

Certifications

Level III: Systems Planning, RD&E - Science and Technology Manager, Defense Acquisition University

Professional Experience

  • Program Manager, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB
  • Chief Engineer, US Air Force Academy
  • Group Leader, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB
  • Senior Research Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB

Organizations

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow
  • Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion Technical Committee
  • AIAA Thermophysics Technical Committee, Chair of Education Subcommittee
  • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Associate Editor
  • American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • American Vacuum Society (AVS)
  • Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST)

Awards

  • Selected Excellence in Leadership Program Fellow, 2013, University of Colorado
  • Member of the Million Dollar Club (over $1M in external research expenditures), 2013, UCCS
  • Selected Daniel's Ethics Initiative Fellow, 2013, 2014, University of Colorado
  • Elected Associate Fellow, 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Engineer of the Year, 2006, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Rocky Mountain Section

Service

  • Chair, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) (2011-2015), College of Engineering & Applied Science, UCCS
  • Member, MAE Ad-Hoc Committee for Online Education (2016-present)
  • Member, MAE Graduate Committee (2016-present)
  • CU System Ethnic and Minority Affairs Committee (2013-present)
  • UCCS Academic Program Review Committee (2014-present)
  • Faculty Research Council (Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation) (2008-present)
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets (2003-present)