Kenneth Center (AeroEngr BS'89, MS'91, PhD'93)

Dr. Ken Center completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees at CU Boulder in the Aerospace Engineering program prior to receiving his PhD in 1993, with an emphasis in aerodynamics, aircraft flight mechanics, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). His thesis work involved the development of a design and analysis package for hypersonic forebodies (called WIPAR) based upon a class of optimized shapes called “waveriders”.

The research was performed under his advisor, and former CU Dean of Engineering Dr. Richard Seebass. Upon graduation, he held a post-doctoral position in the CU Mechanical Engineering department performing CFD combustion simulations of compact waste incinerators.

For 10 years, he operated Centerstage Animated Reconstructions, a sole proprietorship small business that produced over 60 scientifically-grounded computer animations to visually highlight key issues contributing to aircraft accidents.

Ken first entered the space domain area as a software consultant for the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA) at CU Boulder, developing ground support and test software for the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) mission. He has remained in the satellite realm ever since, specializing in autonomous onboard flight software and service-oriented data architectures that allow satellites or constellations of satellites to be developed quickly and more easily maintained over time.

He was the flight software team lead at Design-Net Engineering in Lakewood Colorado from 1996 through 2008, and the Director of Advanced Software Technologies at PnP Innovations in Albuquerque New Mexico from 2008 through 2015.

He is currently the Director of Advanced Programs at Orbit Logic LLC, where he leads the Autonomous Planning System (APS) product team. Since joining Orbit Logic, he has prioritized collaboration with CU Aerospace to infuse cutting-edge fundamental research into APS, securing multiple Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards from the Air Force, the Navy and NASA.

Being of Boulder descent, he remains an avid rock climber and mountain biker and enjoys family time with his wife Lara and grown children Quinton and Ian, all of whom are also CU Boulder graduates.