Edgar Glenn Lightsey
Dr. E. Glenn Lightsey is the John W. Young Endowed Chair Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. From 2023-2025, he was the chair of the executive committee for the Space Research Initiative at Georgia Tech.
Previously, he was the director of the Space Systems Design Lab from 2016-2023 and director of the Center for Space Technology and Research at Georgia Tech from 2019-2023. Dr. Lightsey’s research program focuses on the technology of small satellites, including: guidance, navigation, and control systems; attitude determination and control; radio navigation; propulsion; spacecraft operations; and space systems engineering. Dr. Lightsey’s group has built and operated spacecraft and flight hardware for research sponsors.
Dr. Lightsey has co-authored more than 200 technical articles and publications, including four book chapters and two patents. He is an AIAA Fellow and a Founding Member of the AIAA Small Satellite Technical Committee. He is Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Satellites. He has served as Associate Editor of the AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics and the AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. Dr. Lightsey was previously employed at the University of Texas at Austin and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Lab/Collaborations:
- Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL)
- Lightsey Research Group
Disciplines:
- Systems Design & Optimization
- Flight Mechanics & Controls
AE Multidisciplinary Research Areas:
- Space Exploration and Earth Monitoring
- B.S.E - Princeton University - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering;
- M.S. - Johns Hopkins University - Electrical Engineering;
- Ph.D. - Stanford University - Aeronautics & Astronautics;
AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award (2019); AIAA Fellow (2016);
Univ. of Texas Academy of Distinguished Teachers (2012-2014);
John Leland Atwood Award for Outstanding Teaching in Aerospace Engineering (2012);
Institute of Navigation Tycho Brahe Award (2005), Big XII Faculty Fellow (2004);
Halliburton Young Faculty Excellence Award (2000);
NASA Manned Flight Awareness Award (1999).