Kumar N. Ramohalli

Research Expertise

• Space technologies – propulsion and power
• Bio-inspired technologies
• In-situ resource utilization, or ISRU

Courses Taught Since 2000

• AME 195D: Colloquium, "Space in Our Future and Our Future in Space"
• AME 323: Gas Dynamics
• AME 400: Senior Mechanical Laboratory
• AME 413A/B: Mechanical Engineering Design Lab (supervised projects)
• AME 424/524: Introduction to Space Technologies
• AME 425: Aerospace Propulsion
• AME 428A/528A: Space Mission Concept Design
• ENGR 102: Introduction to Engineering

Education

• PhD: Propulsion, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• MS: Aeronautics, The Indian Institute of Science
• BS: Mechanical Engineering, Bangalore University

Employment

• 1982-date: Deparmtment of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arizona:
  • Associate Professor 1982-89
  • Professor 1989-date
• 1988-99: NASA Space Engineering Research Center, The University of Arizona (concurrent with above): Co-Director
• 1995-96: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (sabbatical from AME): Member, Technical Staff (Key Staff)
• 1989-90: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, August-January (sabbatical from AME): Visiting Associate
• 1989: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, May-August (sabbatical from AME): Visiting Adjunct Professor
• 1975-82: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CalTech: Senior Scientist, Member of Technical Staff, Group Leader and Group Supervisor
• 1980-82: Sunfuels, Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Manager (additional duty)
• 1978: IRSO/IISc, Bangalore, India, August-December (on leave from JPL): Visiting Scientist
• 1971-75: Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center, CalTech: Research and Senior Research Fellow
• 1971: D.S.R. Staff, Space Propulsion Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, June-July

Honors and Awards

• Member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society
• Member of Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society (California Institute of Technology chapter)
• Member of President George Bush's inner circle
• NASA ES Medal for "Exceptional Contributions to ... Combustion Research ... Propellants"
• Awarded the 25th Anniversary Apollo 11 Flag (a small number of flags flown in the Space Shuttle)
• Appointed by Governor Napolitano to the 9-member Aerospace and Defense Commission, 2005
• Appointed by National Academy of Engineering to 9-Member Panel on ISRU, April 2005
• Appointed to Space Technology Council (USRA), 1999-2004
• "Beyond 2000", several ABC, NBC, and CBS interview segments
• HEMS Award, December 2000
• Inducted in International Academy of Astronautics, 1997
• Certificate of Recognition, University of Arizona, Department of Student Programs, April 1995
• Appointed to Committee on Space Science and Technology Planning, National Research Council, National Academy of Engineering, May 1992-94
• Invited for seminars at ISAS (Japan) by the Director-General, 1994
• Visiting Scientist (at host's expense), ADD, Samsung, Hanwha, S. Korea, 1993
• Voted one of the Top Three Instructors in AME by the students, 1992
• Included in "One Hundred Stars of Space" by Ad Astra, July 1991
• 19 NASA Certificates of Recognition for New Technologies (with monetary awards)
• duPont Memorial Fellowship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1968-69
• NASA Group Achievement Award, Solar Thermal Parabolic Dish Program, October 1984
• DOE, "Special Recognition" award for solar thermal technologies, 1984
• Selected (by National Peer Review) Research Engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1981
• NASA Group Achievement Award, Solid Rocketry, November 1976

Professional Societies

• Associate Fellow, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• IAF: International Lunar Development Subcommittee

Publications Since 2000

• Ramohalli, K. N., Modeling Aluminum Combustion in Rocket Plumes, Joint JANNAF Community Workshop, February 2006 [invited].
• Ramohalli, K., Gollapudi, A., and Loehr, R., A Quantitative Methodology for Comparisons of Cost/ Reliability/Risk. This was the Invited Plenary paper at the HEMRL International Conference on Propellants, Pune, India, November 2003.
• Ramohalli, K. and Voecks, G., MIMOCE, A Novel Technology for an Energy-Rich Approach to Science-Driven Planetary Exploration, 53rd International Astronautical Congress, Houston, Texas, Paper IAF-02-R.4.05, 2002.
• Ramohalli, K.., Natale, G., Marcozzi, M., Greene, J., and Duke, V., Newer Concepts in Mars Exploration: LORPEX and PV Enhanced Aerobots, 53rd International Astronautical Congress, Houston, Texas, Paper IAF-02-Q.3.2.07, 2002.
• Ramohalli, K., Lozano, P., and Furfaro, R., Biology-Inspired Explorers for Space Systems, 53rd International Astronautical Congress, Houston, Texas, Paper IAF-02-U-2.09, 2002.
• Ramohalli, K., Furfaro, R., Lozano, P., and Urdaneta, M., An Innovative Energy-Rich Approach to Planetary Exploration, Paper IAF-01.R.4.03, 52nd International Astronautical Congress, Toulouse, France, October 1-5, 2001.
• Ramohalli, K., Furfaro, R., Urdaneta, M., and Streibich, D., A New Concept for Planetary Exploration: ISRU with Powerburst, 51st IAF Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 26, 2000 (Space Resources Roundtable, p.65).
• Ramohalli, K., Urdaneta, M., Furfaro, F., Greene, C., Duke, V., and Marcozzi, M., Space Power When You Need It: LORPEX for Powerburst, 51st IAF Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 26, 2000.
• Ramohalli, K., Marcozzi, M., and Furfaro, R., The LORPEX Concept for Powerburst, NASA/JPL 1st Workshop on Biomorphic Explorer for Future Missions, Pasadena, California, August 19-20, 2000.

Research Grants Since 2000

• Feasibility Demonstration of Han-Hybrids for Divert Engine (MKV Propulsion), Raytheon, 12/19/02-1/31/04.
• HAN-Hybrids, Raytheon, 12/00-4/03.
• Unrestricted Research Grant, McDonnell Douglas, 9/13/00.
• Hybrid Rockets, Raytheon, 7/1/00-12/31/00.
• Orbital Debris Mitigation, Spectrum Astro, 12/21/99-8/31/00.
• Unrestricted Research Grant, Sigma Technologies International, 7/1/99-6/30/00.
• Space Engineering Research Center, NASA, 6/889/92; renewed for 19921995; renewed for 1996-99; renewed 2000-03.

Patents

• Orbital Debris Processor, U.S. Patent 5,120,008
• Gasifiable Carbon Graphite Fibers, U.S. Patent 4,311,630 (with M. F. Humphrey and W. L. Dowler)
• Silicone Containing Solid Propellants, U.S. Patent 4,210,474

Consulting Since 2000

• JPL
• Aerodyne
• Raytheon, Tucson