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Stewart Bushman

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Propulsion Engineer
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering
    1995, University of Rochester
  • M.S., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
    1999, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Propulsion Section Supervisor in the Mechanical Systems Group of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Space Exploration Sector. Lead propulsion engineer for multiple interplanetary spacecraft including New Horizons, STEREO, and Dragonfly. Proficient in test, design, review, and procurement of liquid monopropellant/bipropellant, electric propulsion, and micropropulsion systems.

Notable Awards and Leadership

Year(s) Description
2018 MESSENGER Group Achievement Award, NASA, To the MESSENGER Project Team for exceptional contributions to the first mission to orbit Mercury, executing unprecedented observations adding to humankind's understanding of our solar system's innermost planet.
2017 Walter G. Berl Award - Outstanding Paper in the Johns Hopkins APL Tech Digest, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), For: Gold, R. E., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Maximizing MESSENGER’s Science Return with Technologies and Innovation,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 34, Number 1 (2017), pp. 71-87.
2016 Certificate of Achievement, NASA, Space Communications and Navigation - STEREO-B Recovery Team: For demonstration of the proficiency of uplink array commanding with widely spaced antennas to attempt the recovery of the STEREO-B spacecraft.
2016 New Horizons Group Achievement Award, NASA, To the New Horizons Team for exceptional contributions in the successful completion of the initial reconnaissance of the Pluto system, providing humanity's first up-close look at Pluto and its moons.
2013 Group Achievement Award, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Van Allen Probes Project Team
2011 - Present Member, AIAA Liquid Propulsion Technical Committee, Awards Subcommittee Chair
2007 Group Achievement Award, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), New Horizons Spacecraft Development Team

Scholarly Publications

Execution of Parker Solar Probe's unprecedented flight to the Sun and early results

Acta Astronautica, 2021
Yanping Guo, Paul Thompson, John Wirzburger, Nick Pinkine, Stewart Bushman, Troy Goodson, Rob Haw, James Hudson, Drew Jones, Seth Kijewski, Brian Lathrop, Eunice Lau, Neil Mottinger, Mark Ryne, Wen-Jong Shyong, Powtawche Valerino, Karl Whittenburg, (2021), Execution of Parker Solar Probe's unprecedented flight to the Sun and early results, Acta Astronautica

Design, Fabrication, Test, Launch, and Early Operation of the Parker Solar Probe Propulsion System

AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2019
Seth Kijewski, Stewart S. Bushman, (2019), Design, Fabrication, Test, Launch, and Early Operation of the Parker Solar Probe Propulsion System, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum

Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt object

Science, 2019
S. A. Stern, H. A. Weaver, J. R. Spencer, C. B. Olkin, G. R. Gladstone, W. M. Grundy, J. M. Moore, D. P. Cruikshank, H. A. Elliott, W. B. McKinnon, J. Wm. Parker, A. J. Verbiscer, L. A. Young, D. A. Aguilar, J. M. Albers, T. Andert, J. P. Andrews, F. Bagenal, M. E. Banks, B. A. Bauer, J. A. Bauman, K. E. Bechtold, C. B. Beddingfield, N. Behrooz, K. B. Beisser, S. D. Benecchi, E. Bernardoni, R. A. Beyer, S. Bhaskaran, C. J. Bierson, R. P. Binzel, E. M. Birath, M. K. Bird, D. R. Boone, A. F. Bowman, V. J. Bray, D. T. Britt, L. E. Brown, M. R. Buckley, M. W. Buie, B. J. Buratti, L. M. Burke, S. S. Bushman, B. Careich, A. L. Chaikin, C. L. Chavez, A. F. Cheng, E. J. Colwell, S. J. Conard, M. P. Conner, C. A. Conrad, J. C. Cook, S. B. Cooper, O. S. Custodio, C. M. Dalle Ore, C. C. Deboy, P. Dharmavaram, R. D. Dhingra, G. F. Dunn, A. M. Earle, A. F. Egan, J. Eisig, M. R. El-Maarry, C. Engelbrecht, B. L. Enke, C. J. Ercol, E. D. Fattig, C. L. Ferrell, T. J. Finley, J. Firer, J. Fischetti, W. M. Folkner, M. N. Fosbury, G. H. Fountain, J. M. Freeze, L. Gabasova, L. S. Glaze, J. L. Green, G. A. Griffith, Y. Guo, M. Hahn, D. W. Hals, D. P. Hamilton, S. A. Hamilton, J. J. Hanley, A. Harch, K. A. Harmon, H. M. Hart, J. Hayes, C. B. Hersman, M. E. Hill, T. A. Hill, J. D. Hofgartner, M. E. Holdridge, M. Horanyi, A. Hosadurga, A. D. Howard, C. J. A. Howett, S. E. Jaskulek, D. E. Jennings, J. R. Jensen, M. R. Jones, H. K. Kang, D. J. Katz, D. E. Kaufmann, J. J. Kavelaars, J. T. Keane, G. P. Keleher, M. Kinczyk, M. C. Kochte, P. Kolmnann, S. M. Krimigis, G. L. Kruizinga, D. Y. Kusnierkiewicz, M. S. Lahr, T. R. Lauer, G. B. Lawrence, J. E. Lee, E. J. Lessac-Chenen, I. R. Linscott, C. M. Lisse, A. W. Lunsford, D. M. Mages, V. A. Mallder, N. P. Martin, B. H. May, D. J. McComas, R. L. MeNutt, D. S. Mehoke, T. S. Mehoke, D. S. Nelson, H. D. Nguyen, J. I. Nunez, A. C. Ocampo, W. M. Owen, G. K. Oxton, A. H. Parker, M. Patzold, J. Y. Pelgrift, F. J. Pelletier, J. P. Pineau, M. R. Piquette, S. B. Porter, S. Protopapa, E. Quirico, J. A. Redfern, A. L. Regiec, H. J. Reitsema, D. C. Reuter, D. C. Richardson, J. E. Riedel, M. A. Ritterbush, S. J. Robbins, D. J. Rodgers, G. D. Rogers, D. M. Rose, P. E. Rosendal, K. D. Runyon, M. G. Ryschkewitsch, M. M. Saina, M. J. Salinas, P. M. Schenk, J. R. Scherrer, W. R. Schlei, B. Schmitt, D. J. Schultz, D. C. Schurr, F. Scipioni, R. L. Sepan, R. G. Shelton, M. R. Showalter, M. Simon, K. N. Singer, E. W. Stahlheber, D. R. Stanbridge, J. A. Stansberry, A. J. Steffi, D. F. Strobel, M. M. Stothoff, T. Stryk, J. M. Stuart, M. E. Summers, M. B. Tapley, A. Taylor, H. W. Taylor, R. M. Tedford, H. B. Throop, L. S. Turner, O. M. Umurhan, J. Van Eck, D. Velez, M. H. Versteeg, M. A. Vincent, R. W. Webbert, S. E. Weidner, G. E. Weigle Ii, J. R. Wendel, O. L. White, K. E. Whittenburg, B. G. Williams, K. E. Williams, S. P. Williams, H. L. Wimters, A. M. Zangari, T. H. Zurbuchen, (2019), Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt object, Science

The Fall and Rise of STEREO Behind

International Conference on Space Operations, 2018
Matthew W. Cox, Daniel A. Ossing, (2018), The Fall and Rise of STEREO Behind, International Conference on Space Operations

Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System through the Pluto Encounter

AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2017
Stewart S. Bushman, (2017), Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System through the Pluto Encounter, AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

Maximizing MESSENGER's Science Return with Technologies and Innovation

Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory), 2017
Robert. E. Gold, Stewart S. Bushman, Andrew B. Calloway, James V. McAdams, Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, Dipak K. Srinivasan, (2017), Maximizing MESSENGER's Science Return with Technologies and Innovation, Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory)

MESSENGER's Hover Campaign

Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory), 2017
Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, Stewart S. Bushman, Sarah H. Flanigan, Madeline K. Fosbury, James V. McAdams, (2017), MESSENGER's Hover Campaign, Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory)

Spacecraft Trajectory Planning and Execution for the MESSENGER Mission

Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory), 2017
James V. McAdams, Christopher G. Bryan, Stewart S. Bushman, Carl S. Engelbrecht, Sarah H. Flanigan, T. Adrian Hill, (2017), Spacecraft Trajectory Planning and Execution for the MESSENGER Mission, Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Applied Physics Laboratory)

Primary Mission Flight Performance of the Van Allen Probes Propulsion Systems

AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2016
Jeremy W. John, Stewart S. Bushman, (2016), Primary Mission Flight Performance of the Van Allen Probes Propulsion Systems, AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

Extending MESSENGER’s Low-Altitude Hover Campaign by Using Helium Pressurant as Cold-Gas Propellant

AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2016
Stewart S. Bushman, Carl Engelbrecht, Sarah Flanigan, Madeline Kirk, James McAdams, Dawn Moessner, (2016), Extending MESSENGER’s Low-Altitude Hover Campaign by Using Helium Pressurant as Cold-Gas Propellant, AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

ENGINEERING MESSENGER'S GRAND FINALE AT MERCURY - THE LOW-ALTITUDE HOVER CAMPAIGN

FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II, 2016
James V. McAdams, Christopher G. Bryan, Stewart S. Bushman, Andrew B. Calloway, Eric Carranza, Sarah H. Flanigan, Madeline N. Kirk, Haje Korth, Dawn P. Moessner, Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, Kenneth E. Williams, (2016), ENGINEERING MESSENGER'S GRAND FINALE AT MERCURY - THE LOW-ALTITUDE HOVER CAMPAIGN, FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II

MESSENGER MANEUVER PERFORMANCE DURING THE LOW-ALTITUDE HOVER CAMPAIGN

FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II, 2016
Madeline N. Kirk, Sarah H. Flanigan, Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, Stewart S. Bushman, Paul E. Rosendall, (2016), MESSENGER MANEUVER PERFORMANCE DURING THE LOW-ALTITUDE HOVER CAMPAIGN, FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II

NEW HORIZONS GUIDANCE & CONTROL & PROPULSION SYSTEMS BUDGET VERSUS PERFORMANCE FOR THE PLUTO ENCOUNTER

FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II, 2016
Gabe D. Rogers, Sarah H. Flanigan, Stewart Bushman, Chris Hersman, Valerie Mallder, Madeline Kirk, Hollis Ambrose, Leslie Young, (2016), NEW HORIZONS GUIDANCE & CONTROL & PROPULSION SYSTEMS BUDGET VERSUS PERFORMANCE FOR THE PLUTO ENCOUNTER, FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II

THE FIRST THREE MANEUVERS DURING MESSENGER'S LOW-ALTITUDE SCIENCE CAMPAIGN

FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II, 2015
Sarah H. Flanigan, Madeline N. Kirk, Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, Stewart S. Bushman, Paul E. Rosendall, (2015), THE FIRST THREE MANEUVERS DURING MESSENGER'S LOW-ALTITUDE SCIENCE CAMPAIGN, FIRST IAA CONFERENCE ON DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF SPACE SYSTEMS 2012, PTS I AND II

The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons

Science, 2015
S. A. Stern, F. Bagenal, K. Ennico, G. R. Gladstone, W. M. Grundy, W. B. McKinnon, J. M. Moore, C. B. Olkin, J. R. Spencer, H. A. Weaver, L. A. Young, T. Andert, J. Andrews, M. Banks, B. Bauer, J. Bauman, O. S. Barnouin, P. Bedini, K. Beisser, R. A. Beyer, S. Bhaskaran, R. P. Binzel, E. Birath, M. Bird, D. J. Bogan, A. Bowman, V. J. Bray, M. Brozovic, C. Bryan, M. R. Buckley, M. W. Buie, B. J. Buratti, S. S. Bushman, A. Calloway, B. Carcich, A. F. Cheng, S. Conard, C. A. Conrad, J. C. Cook, D. P. Cruikshank, O. S. Custodio, C. M. Dalle Ore, C. Deboy, Z. J. B. Dischner, P. Dumont, A. M. Earle, H. A. Elliott, J. Ercol, C. M. Ernst, T. Finley, S. H. Flanigan, G. Fountain, M. J. Freeze, T. Greathouse, J. L. Green, Y. Guo, M. Hahn, D. P. Hamilton, S. A. Hamilton, J. Hanley, A. Harch, H. M. Hart, C. B. Hersman, A. Hill, M. E. Hill, D. P. Hinson, M. E. Holdridge, M. Horanyi, A. D. Howard, C. J. A. Howett, C. Jackman, R. A. Jacobson, D. E. Jennings, J. A. Kammer, H. K. Kang, D. E. Kaufmann, P. Kollmann, S. M. Krimigis, D. Kusnierkiewicz, T. R. Lauer, J. E. Lee, K. L. Lindstrom, I. R. Linscott, C. M. Lisse, A. W. Lunsford, V. A. Mallder, N. Martin, D. J. McComas, R. L. McNutt, D. Mehoke, T. Mehoke, E. D. Melin, M. Mutchler, D. Nelson, F. Nimmo, J. I. Nunez, A. Ocampo, W. M. Owen, M. Paetzold, B. Page, A. H. Parker, J. W. Parker, F. Pelletier, J. Peterson, N. Pinkine, M. Piquette, S. B. Porter, S. Protopapa, J. Redfern, H. J. Reitsema, D. C. Reuter, J. H. Roberts, S. J. Robbins, G. Rogers, D. Rose, K. Runyon, K. D. Retherford, M. G. Ryschkewitsch, P. Schenk, E. Schindhelm, B. Sepan, M. K. Showalter, K. N. Singer, M. Soluri, D. Stanbridge, A. J. Steffl, D. F. Strobel, T. Stryk, M. E. Summers, J. R. Szalay, M. Tapley, A. Taylor, H. Taylor, H. B. Throop, C. C. C. Tsang, G. L. Tyler, O. M. Umurhan, A. J. Verbiscer, M. H. Versteeg, M. Vincent, R. Webber, S. Weidner, G. E. Weigle, O. L. White, K. Whittenburg, B. G. Williams, K. Williams, S. Williams, W. W. Woods, A. M. Zangari, E. Zirnstein, (2015), The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons, Science

Radiation Belt Storm Probes-Observatory and Environments

Space Science Reviews, 2013
Karen Kirby, David Artis, Stewart Bushman, Michael Butler, Rich Conde, Stan Cooper, Kristen Fretz, Carl Herrmann, Adrian Hill, Jeff Kelley, Richard Maurer, Richard Nichols, Geffrey Ottman, Mark Reid, Gabe Rogers, Dipak Srinivasan, John Troll, Bruce Williams, (2013), Radiation Belt Storm Probes-Observatory and Environments, Space Science Reviews

Radiation Belt Storm Probes—Observatory and Environments

The Van Allen Probes Mission, 2012
Karen Kirby, David Artis, Stewart Bushman, Michael Butler, Rich Conde, Stan Cooper, Kristen Fretz, Carl Herrmann, Adrian Hill, Jeff Kelley, Richard Maurer, Richard Nichols, Geffrey Ottman, Mark Reid, Gabe Rogers, Dipak Srinivasan, John Troll, Bruce Williams, (2012), Radiation Belt Storm Probes—Observatory and Environments, The Van Allen Probes Mission

Design, Fabrication, and Testing of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Propulsion Systems

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 2012
Stewart Bushman, (2012), Design, Fabrication, and Testing of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Propulsion Systems, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

Radiation Belt Storm Probe Spacecraft and Impact of Environment on Spacecraft Design

IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 2012
Karen Kirby, Stewart Bushman, Mike Butler, Rich Conde, Kris Fretz, Carl Herrmann, Adrian Hill, Richard Maurer, Richard Nichols, Geff Ottman, Mark Reid, Gabe Rogers, Dipak Srinivasan, John Troll, Bruce Williams, (2012), Radiation Belt Storm Probe Spacecraft and Impact of Environment on Spacecraft Design, IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings

Evaluation of Microorganism Growth in Water-Loaded New Horizons and STEREO Propellant Tanks

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 2011
Stewart Bushman, (2011), Evaluation of Microorganism Growth in Water-Loaded New Horizons and STEREO Propellant Tanks, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

In-Space Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 2007
Stewart Bushman, (2007), In-Space Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 2002
Gregory Spanjers, Daron Bromaghim, James Lake, Michael Dulligan, David White, John Schilling, Stewart Bushman, (2002), AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

Plasma Diagnostic Development for the AFRL MicroPPT Program

Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, 2002
Gregory Spanjers, Daron Bromaghim, Michael Dulligan, James Lake, Erik Antonsen, David White, John Schilling, Stewart Bushman, (2002), Plasma Diagnostic Development for the AFRL MicroPPT Program, Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference

AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Satellite Propulsion

Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, 2002
David White, Stewart Bushman, John Schilling, Gregory Spanjers, Daron Bromaghim, Michael Dulligan, James Lake, (2002), AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Satellite Propulsion, Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference

Heating and plasma properties in a coaxial gasdynamic pulsed plasma thruster

Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2001
SS Bushman, RL Burton, (2001), Heating and plasma properties in a coaxial gasdynamic pulsed plasma thruster, Journal of Propulsion and Power

Pulsed Plasma Thruster Performance for Microspacecraft Propulsion

Micropropulsion for Small Spacecraft, 2000
, (2000), Pulsed Plasma Thruster Performance for Microspacecraft Propulsion, Micropropulsion for Small Spacecraft

Probe measurements in a coaxial gasdynamic PPT

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 1999
Rodney Burton, Stewart Bushman, (1999), Probe measurements in a coaxial gasdynamic PPT, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

Energy balance and efficiency of the pulsed plasma thruster

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 1998
Rodney Burton, Michael Wilson, Stewart Bushman, (1998), Energy balance and efficiency of the pulsed plasma thruster, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit

Arc measurements and performance characteristics of a coaxial pulsed plasma thruster

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, 1998
Stewart Bushman, Rodney Burton, Erik Antonsen, (1998), Arc measurements and performance characteristics of a coaxial pulsed plasma thruster, AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit