Mechanical Systems Branch

The Mechanical Systems Branch is a diverse and blended workforce of civil servants and contractor personnel matrixed to projects providing mechanical engineering design and analysis, in combination with system engineering and integration expertise, to develop complex flight systems and ground-based research equipment for Exploration, Science, and Aeronautics missions.

Expertise
  • Analysis & simulation of space flight mechanisms
  • Composite structures design
  • Concept-to-flight systems design capability
  • Flight system engineering and integration
  • Inflation systems development
  • Mass properties development
  • Mechanical design
  • Mechatronics
  • Opto-mechanical design
  • Soft goods design
  • Thermal protection system design
Disciplines
  • Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems Mechanical Engineering
  • Science Instrument Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanisms & Controls Engineering
  • Structural Design Engineering
  • Flight Systems Engineering and Integration
Products
  • ADAMS Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis
  • Mechanical Engineering Drawings
  • NASTRAN/PATRAN and Hypersizer Structural Analyses
  • ProEngineer CAD Models
  • Systems Engineering Products
Labs
  • Mechanisms Development & Evaluation Lab

Branch Management

Kenneth L. Hodges, Branch Head

HeadGarfield A. Creary, Assistant Head (SD -Detail)

David A. Paddock, Assistant Head

K. Brian Emmett, Acting Assistant Head