Charles Daniel

Charles Daniel, Ph.D., is an accomplished systems engineer and aerospace expert with more than five decades of experience at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, contributing to the design, analysis, and integration of space flight vehicles spanning from the Saturn V to the International Space Station. A graduate of the University of Alabama (bachelor’s degree in engineering) and Oklahoma State University (Ph.D. in engineering), his expertise lies in systems engineering, operations research, and applied mathematics. Throughout his career, Daniel has held leadership roles in engineering and project management, spearheading initiatives in space shuttle recertification, space station integration, and international collaborations with Russia, ESA (European Space Agency), and Japan. Notable achievements include leading avionics development for the space shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, managing hazard analyses for shuttle recertification post-Challenger, and serving as chief engineer for space station integration. His work played a pivotal role in shaping the space station’s configuration and resource planning, as well as coordinating critical bilateral agreements with international partners. Beyond NASA, Daniel has provided technical expertise as a consultant to organizations such as NAVSEA and the U.S. Department of Defense, focusing on systems engineering and advanced aerospace safety. He has also excelled as an educator, serving as a professor at institutions including the Naval Postgraduate School and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he developed and taught courses in operations research and aerospace systems. Daniel is a member of AIAA, IEEE, and AIIE, and continues to offer his expertise as a subject matter expert on space launch systems and tactical aerospace programs.