Dr. Richard Welle is a senior scientist in The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiments Laboratory (xLab), where he focuses on the development of new missions and applications for CubeSats and CubeSat-class spacecraft, most recently focusing on the development and evaluation of the DiskSat concept.

Prior to this, Welle was director of the Microsatellite Systems Department in the Space Materials Laboratory for ten years, where he was responsible for the Aerospace program developing CubeSats and other kg-class spacecraft, as well as supporting various nonsatellite programs and developing new research and technology programs in the field of microsatellites.

Welle joined Aerospace in 1986 as a member of the technical staff in the Aerophysics Laboratory. In 1995, he was promoted to section manager of the Experimental Mechanics Section and was later named a senior scientist in the Office of Innovative Materials.

With more than 40 years of experience in his field, Welle is an expert in microsatellites and microsatellite systems, thermophysics and heat transfer, reacting/radiating flows, multiphase and cryogenic flows, electric propulsion, and mechanical systems.

Welle has authored over 60 technical publications and has been awarded over 30 U.S. and two foreign patents on technologies in the areas of microfluidics, optical communication, identification taggants, solar power, and ultrasonics.

Education

Welle earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry from Southwest State University, Minnesota; his master’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee; and his doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California.