Dr. Glenn E. Peterson is a senior engineering specialist in the Astrodynamics Department at The Aerospace Corporation. He joined Aerospace in 1997. In his role, Peterson supports a wide variety of topics, including orbital debris, space traffic management, meteor showers, satellite disposal, and orbit dynamics.

For more than 20 years, Peterson has performed research related to orbit dynamics and space debris, both natural and manmade. He has examined the effects of planned large constellations and future improved tracking on space traffic management in terms of both launch and on-orbit collision avoidance. He developed the capability of estimating orbit uncertainties from orbit estimates, the generation of fast-maneuver solutions to avoid potential collisions, and the determination of collision probability under very large covariances. He monitored the Leonid meteor storms of 1999–2002 and assisted in planning satellite operator response to the event.

Peterson has received several patents for his work and has published more than 80 professional publications, including a book on meteor shower dynamics.

Education

Peterson received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.