Dan Junker

Dan Junker has a diverse work experience in the field of flight dynamics and engineering. Dan most recently worked as a Flight dynamics engineer at Astrobotic since January 2020. Prior to that, they were a Researcher from August 2016 to December 2019.

Before joining Astrobotic, Dan worked at LSE Space GmbH, where they held the position of Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer from May 2011 to July 2016. In this role, they focused on developing an attitude dynamics simulator using tensor differentials and JAVA code. Dan also worked on projects related to spacecraft actuator control and trajectory acceleration.

Dan's previous experience includes working at Orbital Sciences Corporation, where they held various roles from 2003 to 2011. As a Scientist, they developed attitude slew sequences for sun-pointing spacecraft and designed maneuver planning strategies for missions such as the Orbiting Carbon Observatory and Glory missions. Dan also served as a Sr. Principal Engineer, where they designed maneuver planning strategies for spacecraft in geosynchronous transfer orbits, among other responsibilities. Additionally, they worked as a Principal Engineer, where they conducted analysis for moon and mars missions.

Prior to their time at Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dan worked at Universal Space Network as a Flight Dynamics Engineer from 1999 to 2003. Dan was responsible for specifying propellant cutbacks, designing ascent trajectories, and performing orbit maneuvers for missions such as BSAT-2A and BSAT-2C.

Before that, Dan held a position at QSS Group, Inc. from 1999 to 2000 as an Attitude Control Systems - Operations Engineer, where they developed procedures for operating spacecraft attitude control subsystems.

In the early stages of their career, Dan worked at Honeywell as a Flight Dynamics and Flight Operations Engineer from 1993 to 1999. Dan led flight operations teams, developed operations procedures, and analyzed mission data for projects such as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and the Republic of China's First Satellite.

From 1988 to 1993, Dan worked at Computer Sciences Corp., where they served as a Flight Dynamics Engineer. Dan contributed to missions such as the Extreme Ultra-Violet Explorer and the Cosmic Background Explorer by developing telemetry and analyzing spacecraft performance.

Dan's earlier experience includes working as an Engineer at Carnegie Mellon University in 1987 and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji from 1984 to 1987, where they were a math and science educator.

Dan Junker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Math from the University of Pittsburgh, where they studied from 1981 to 1984. Afterward, they pursued a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics at The Johns Hopkins University from 1991 to 1993.