PETERSON TO DIRECT DRYDEN.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer Kevin Petersen, acting director of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. , was given the permanent job Monday by agency Administrator Dan Goldin. Petersen, a 25-year veteran of Dryden, has been acting director since Ken Szalai retired Aug. 1. He previously worked about 2-1/2 years as deputy director. ``Kevin brings to the job a wealth of aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau experience,
expertise and leadership at Dryden which will be absolutely essential in
guiding NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. into the next century with some of the most advanced research, aircraft and aviation activities in the nation,'' Goldin said. As director, Petersen will lead a center Goldin referred to as the ``premier flight research center'' of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), civilian agency of the U.S. federal government with the mission of conducting research and developing operational programs in the areas of space exploration, artificial satellites (see satellite, artificial), . Dryden has more than 600 workers. Petersen said his biggest challenge will be to continue to find ways to operate more efficiently, especially with the prospect of flat NASA budgets for the foreseeable future. ``I was pleased to get the news. I feel fortunate to get to lead a center like Dryden,'' Petersen said. ``I have a strong technical background and interest in flight research. I share a passion with others at Dryden to develop new flight technologies, not just for NASA, but for other people.'' Petersen joined Dryden as an aerospace engineer in 1974, and has worked on such projects as the F-8 Digital Fly-by-Wire aircraft, the Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) was a NASA-program to develop technologies for future fighter aircraft. Among the technologies explored were close-coupled canards, fully digital flight control (including propulsion), composite materials (graphite and demonstrator, and the X-29 forward-swept wing aircraft. Petersen also has served as the chief of the Vehicle Technology Branch and chief of the National Aerospace Plant projects office. Petersen graduated with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University Academics ISU is best known for its degree programs in science, engineering, and agriculture. ISU is also home of the world's first electronic digital computing device, the Atanasoff–Berry Computer. in 1974. He earned a master of science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles UCLA comprises the College of Letters and Science (the primary undergraduate college), seven professional schools, and five professional Health Science schools. Since 2001, UCLA has enrolled over 33,000 total students, and that number is steadily rising. , in 1976. Petersen received NASA's Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal in 1985 and NASA's Exceptional Service Medal in 1987. Petersen lives in Lancaster with his wife, Linda, and their three sons, Brian, Matthew and Christopher. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color in AV Edition only) Kevin Peterson Brings expertise |
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