History of ASTE

The Astronautics and Space Technology Program originated within the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southern California under the name Hypersonics and High-energy Flows Program (sometimes called Nonequalibrium Phenomena Group or Gas Physics Group) and it consisted of a broad range of research interests such as hypersonics and supersonic flows, advanced spacecraft propulsion, space exploration, process in the heliosphere and planetry magnetosphers, atomic and molecular interactions, transport of radiation, plasme and material processing, kinetic theory of gases and plasmas, enviornmental studies, and statistical physics. 

The faculty that originated the Hypersonics and High-energy Flows Program in 1986 were:

• H. K. Cheng, Ph.D., Member of the National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of American Physical Society, Fellow of American Institute of Aeronutics and Astronautics.
• Daniel A. Erwin. Ph. D. (Current  chair of Astronautics and Space Technology Division)
• Joseph A. Kunc, Ph.D., Fellow of American Physical Society
• E. Phillip Muntz, Ph.D., Member of the National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of American Physical Society, Fellow of American Institute of Aeronutics and Astronautics.

Three more faculty joined the program within the next ten years:

• Mike Gruntman, PhD.
• Harold Mirels, Ph.D. Member of the National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of American Physical Society, Fellow of American In stitute of Astronuatics.
• Donald E. Shemansky, Ph.D (NASA Medallist for Exceptional Scientific Achievement).

The current name, the Astronautics and Space Technology Program, was adopted in 1996, when the program became a distinct specialization in the Aerospace Engineering Department. Since 2004, all activities of the Program have been organized as an independent academic unit called the Division of Astronautical Engineering.