Edgar Glenn Lightsey
Dr. E. Glenn Lightsey is the John W. Young Endowed Chair Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. From 2023-2025, he was the chair of the executive committee for the Space Research Initiative at Georgia Tech.
Previously, he was the director of the Space Systems Design Lab from 2016-2023 and director of the Center for Space Technology and Research at Georgia Tech from 2019-2023. Dr. Lightsey’s research program focuses on the technology of small satellites, including: guidance, navigation, and control systems; attitude determination and control; radio navigation; propulsion; spacecraft operations; and space systems engineering. Dr. Lightsey’s group has built and operated spacecraft and flight hardware for research sponsors.
Dr. Lightsey has co-authored more than 200 technical articles and publications, including four book chapters and two patents. He is an AIAA Fellow and a Founding Member of the AIAA Small Satellite Technical Committee. He is Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Satellites. He has served as Associate Editor of the AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics and the AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. Dr. Lightsey was previously employed at the University of Texas at Austin and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Professor Lightsey’s teaching interests include undergraduate and graduate courses in aerospace systems design, space missions, and spacecraft dynamics. He focuses on imparting foundational knowledge in aerospace engineering while integrating practical problem-solving skills. His teaching emphasizes systems engineering principles applied to the analysis and design of complex aerospace vehicles, engaging students across multiple levels to develop both theoretical understanding and hands-on expertise.
Professor Lightsey’s research centers on spacecraft systems engineering with an emphasis on design, control, and integration of spacecraft and satellite systems. His work addresses the development of reliable space mission architectures and innovations in spacecraft dynamics and control. The research involves multidisciplinary approaches to complex aerospace challenges, fostering collaboration across systems, sensors, and controls to advance the performance and capabilities of space platforms.
Lab/Collaborations:
- Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL)
- Lightsey Research Group
Disciplines:
- Systems Design & Optimization
- Flight Mechanics & Controls
AE Multidisciplinary Research Areas:
- Space Exploration and Earth Monitoring
- B.S.E - Princeton University - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering;
- M.S. - Johns Hopkins University - Electrical Engineering;
- Ph.D. - Stanford University - Aeronautics & Astronautics;
AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award (2019); AIAA Fellow (2016);
Univ. of Texas Academy of Distinguished Teachers (2012-2014);
John Leland Atwood Award for Outstanding Teaching in Aerospace Engineering (2012);
Institute of Navigation Tycho Brahe Award (2005), Big XII Faculty Fellow (2004);
Halliburton Young Faculty Excellence Award (2000);
NASA Manned Flight Awareness Award (1999).
- DN Ramsey, R Parnerkar, E Wang, R Paladugu, A Noel, G Lightsey, ..., Preliminary Design and Analysis of the HyperSat using CubeSat Technologies, AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum, 1561, 2026
- KK Ahuja, A Noel, B Mindiak, N Breen, BE Robertson, J Dec, RB Funk, ..., HyperSat: An Innovative, High-Cadence, Hypersonic Flying Testbed, AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum, 1559, 2026
- M Hartigan, F Garcia, EG Lightsey, S Stewart, Navigation Filter Design for an LCRNS Receiver during Lunar Powered Descent and Landing, Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite …, 2025
- T Mina, A Thrasher, M Hartigan, J Leonard, S Stewart, P Antreasian, ..., Preliminary Navigation System Design for the First LCRNS Satellite Providing Lunar PNT Services, Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite …, 2025
- JW Dankanich, NJ Williams, CG Burnside, AR Bruno, PC Lozano, ..., Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) Path to Flight, 39th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC), 2025