July 28, 2017
Hans Mark, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin, was selected to receive the 2017 INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering) Pioneer Award for his “legendary career in aerospace engineering” that has served as a catalyst for systems engineering.
INCOSE, a non-profit organization founded in 1990, was established “to develop and disseminate the interdisciplinary principles and practices that enable the realization of successful systems.” Members collaborate to share their knowledge and exchange ideas in order to advance systems engineering.
Mark has been a major influence on system approaches and perspectives that have made an impact on milestone space programs, including Pioneer 10, the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station. The award also recognizes Mark for his efforts in “continuing to promoted quantum computing and for a national program to teach systems engineering concepts to all engineering students.” Mark was recognized for the award during a plenary session at the INCOSE International Symposium in Adelaide, Australia on July 17.
Mark specializes in the study of spacecraft and aircraft design, electromagnetic rail guns and national defense policy. He served as chancellor of The University of Texas System from 1984 to 1992 and has also served as director of the NASA-Ames Research Center, Secretary of the Air Force, deputy administrator of NASA and most recently, the director of defense of Research and Engineering. He is currently working at Applied Research Laboratories in the Center for Quantum Research.
