Hans Mark
Professor
Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering
Phone: (512) 471-5077
Fax: (512) 471-4070
Email: hmark@mail.utexas.edu
Dr. Hans Mark earned his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in 1954. He joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin
in 1988. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1976.
Dr. Mark specializes in spacecraft and aircraft design, development of
electro-magnetic railguns and national defense policy. Mark served as director
of NASA’s Ames Research Center (1969-77) and secretary of the U.S. Air Force
(1979-81). While working for the U.S. Air Force, he created a space command
center in Colorado which is still operational. During this time he was also the
director of the National Reconnaissance Office, where he was responsible for
managing the U.S. satellite reconnaissance program. In 1981, Mark was appointed
deputy administrator of NASA. During his three years in the position, he
supervised the first 14 space shuttle flights and beginnings of the United
States’ involvement in the International Space Station program. After working at
the university for several years, Mark was named director of Defense Research
and Engineering for the Department of Defense in 1998. He returned to teaching
and researching at the university in 2001. Mark also served as chancellor of The
University of Texas System from 1984 to 1992.
Research interests:
- Electro-magnetic guns
- Tilt-rotor aircraft applications
- Hypervelocity impact physics
- Prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation